There is great advice here in all the posts. The simplest advice: get out and take lots of photo's. As was said, it's easy with digital, buy a few memory cards and don't be afraid to shot way. I'll easily take 1000 photo's in a day, playing with the settings (P is the way to go), trying different exposures on the same photo, varying the depth of field, trying different compositions, trying different exposures etc etc. It's like most things, lots of practice, critically review your own work, experiment, and don't be afraid to test some rule (even break them occassionally). And definitely post some of your shots on the Critique section, everyone here is so very helpful and can provide some great pearls of wisdom.
Above all always have fun and don't be too hard on yourself, there is always the delete button, I use it often
