Seanie,
I spent a year reading Ron Wodaski's book The backyard CCD astronomer and practised processing his images. I also spent two years doing Open University courses to get a Certificate in Astronomy and Planetary Science just to prove to my wife that it was not a passing fancy but a serious hobby (and to justify the expense of the equipment). I would therefore describe myself as a well read newbie who is now finding out that you cannot learn everthing from books and you just have to check my recycle bin for evidence of the learning process.
Kieran
  