Tip #2

Once you start collecting information, you'll need a place to put it.  I would suggest checking out some free software and making some notes on the things you like and are searching for in the software.  One thing I like is to be able to make list.  For example, if I know I'm traveling to a location where I know I have some family history, then I can print a list of every thing that happened in that state by county.  There are several versions online you can try.  The one I use is Rootsmagic.  Another one I've tried is Ohana.  I was not impressed with their merging for duplicates.  It became quite confusing.  Eventually you will find one you will be comfortable with.  When you find one, I think you will find that you will more organized.