Well Peggy, I am not a photographer and I a have not been doing this for 50 years, but I can assure you I get a lot joy and satisfaction out of the digital age, infact if we were still in the 80's and 90's using film I would not be doing this at all. I could never see the satisfaction of taking film images whilst on holiday's, getting home, sending away your images and only get half of your memories back because the rest did not come out. (am I glad that is behind us).
Sitting at the computer in DSS and Registax is just like sittting for hours in your own dark room processing the film (another thing I am glad I dont have to do anymore). One thing that the digital age has brought to use is the ability to take 50x5 minutes subs and beyond and stack them to get a real image you can see not a faint glow that looks like a nebula. Some people do sit away from the scope and I agree that does take away. Myself I am out there with my scope, computer 2 foot away for shakes watching every image. My computer helps me guide (gee again so I get a better image rather that getting a sore eye micro moving the scope every 10 seconds) and my images download directly on to it. But most of all I am out there looking checking my alignment all night hanging of the completion of every sub to see how it went. The only time I leave is get a coffee and put on more RAID.
Dont let some poeple drag you down peggy
Like I said at the start, I am no expert so I will not recommend the correct gear for your set up as I would not know, but I am sure many here will help
As for a dummies book, you are here. Within this site and many others are some wonderful people who will go out of their way to help you if asked.
So welcome and enjoy your time with you scope.
Carl