Things to love about digital cameras

• No film = Lots of shots. Print the ones you like, delete the rest.
• Instant gratification.
• Easy to email and share.
• Download to store and pickup prints - only one trip and no waiting. Or, print it at home.
• Don't need to wait for the end of a roll.
• Can edit and crop photos.
• Video too.

Things to hate about digital cameras

• They can do more than a comparably priced film camera, so there's a lot to learn. Too many options.
• Delay when shooting = missed shots.
• Dead batteries.
• Expensive to print at home.

Selecting a Camera

Resolution/Pixels
Digital cameras capture dots (actually square and called pixels) using an electronic sensor. More pixels means more detail and sharper edges (good things), but cost more and take up more storage space (bad things). Number of pixels wide x number of pixels tall = megapixels (millions of pixels).   Generally, 

• Two or less megapixels is good enough for sharing photos on the Internet.
• Three is OK for 4x6 prints, but doesn't leave much room for cropping.
• Four to six is common and leaves room for cropping or larger prints.
• Eight might be the point of diminishing returns. Very large files.
• Check for the best 2:3 ratio if you want 4x6 prints. If a camera is listed at 4MP (2304x1728), the best 4x6 print would be 2304x1536 (3.5MP).

Video

• Resolution / Pixels: Usually 320x240 (youtube size) or 640x480 (Ok for TV).
• Frames per second: Under 20 = jerky footage.
• Often can't change zoom or other settings while shooting.
• Only  really expensive cameras as good as digital video recorders.
• Can be much better than still photos of an event and easy to share.

Storage
Storage dictates how many photos you can take before the camera is full.  Most cameras have built-in storage, which is never adequate. Memory cards come in a variety of incompatible formats. Luckily, most memory cards are inexpensive. Plan for more than you can imagine using.

Batteries
Digital cameras can eat batteries, especially if you use the LCD instead of the optical viewfinder. The best AA batteries for cameras are NiMH (nickel-metal hydride). They are rechargeable, environmentally friendly, and relatively inexpensive. It's a good idea to have two (or more) sets. Regular alkaline batteries will drain quickly and cost much more in a very short time. LION (Lithium/Ion) batteries are long lasting, but expensive and useful only in cameras. Batteries will drain while sitting unused in a camera. Some cameras will "forget" their settings if the batteries are removed for too long.

Zoom
An optical zoom lens is like a telescope, it changes what comes into an eye.  A digital zoom lens merely enlarges and crops the image leading to pixilation. A 3X optical zoom is common and usually lists the film equivalent (e.g. 33mm-114mm). More powerful zooms are useful, but might need stabilization.

Flash
Most cameras have an automatic flash, which is OK for "normal" photographs. It is easy to outshoot the range of the the flash. A stronger flash reaches farther but takes more power, either requiring more batteries or depleting them more quickly. Flashes often cause "red eye." Many cameras have a red-eye setting or you can edit it out. Sometimes, it is better to turn the flash off and utilize the natural light. An even light is better than a washed out image with shadows behind it. Flashes should be turned off when shooting distant images, such as at stadiums.

Viewfinders / LCD
Using the LCD on the back of the camera to compose is convenient (WYSIWYG) but uses batteries. Decide how big an LCD you want. Composing the shot on the LCD is great, but make sure to properly brace the camera to prevent shakes.

Reviews.

Tips for using a camera

Some common programmed settings
Automatic - The settings that work best for the average photograph. You are letting the camera think for you.
Portrait - Makes selected area (face) sharp and the rest of the image less focused. This limits the depth of field.
Sports - Uses a shorter exposure to capture the action without blurring.
Landscape - Adjusted to capture distant details. Not to be confused with either kind of Panorama.
Party / Children- Optimized for indoor lights and people.
Night - Uses a longer exposure to get more light into the camera, but watch for flaring. Longer exposures are not a good idea if the subject is moving.
Fireworks - Uses a very long exposure. You will need to stabilize the camera.. 
Close-up or Macro - For very tight close-ups (under 2 feet).
Snow, Beach, Backlight - Some cameras have programmed settings for special light conditions.
Burst mode - Multiple quick shots. Consider using with Sports mode, though it can be useful for portraits.
Priority - Choose your shutter speed, aperture or ISO and let the camera set the rest.

Advanced Settings
To access advanced settings, you might need to use the camera's menu. Examples include white balance (which can correct for fluorescent lights) or fully manual. Read a good book about digital camera settings and photography before you start.

Focus
Most digital cameras have an automatic focus, which sets the focus based on what is in the middle of the image. Some will focus on faces, if they can be identified, or multiple points. You can use the two-stage shutter release to lock in a different focal point.

Tripods and Monopods
When using settings with longer exposures or distant zooms, it helps to steady the camera. The blur from pressing the shutter release can also be a problem. Tripods are more stable and flexible, monopods are cheaper and easier to carry. Many newer cameras have software based stabilization, which is a partial substitute.

When using your digital (or any) camera

• Use the Timer to get into the photo or eliminate the blur sometimes caused by pressing the shutter release.
• More light is usually better, especially if it is natural light.
• Get close. Fill the frame with what you want more of.
• Pay attention to background, contrast and lighting.
• Keep your camera at the subject's eye level. You want to avoid pictures taken from an adult human eye's view, which is to say, looking down. Get down on your hands and knees if you have to.
• When photographing a living creature, it's almost always best to focus on the eyes. Make the eyes sharp. It's where people look first.
• Rule of thirds. Some cameras even show a grid as an option.
• Use framing to highlight important points.
• Where to learn more: Lexar Tips + Lessons, Short Courses and Kodak.

After shooting, before printing

• Cropping can help a lot.(before/after)
• Editing to improve lighting/contrast, fix colors caused by indoor lighting, straighten shots, remove red-eye.

Printing options

• Home printers (often more costly than professional processing, but faster)
• Clicks and mortar stores (Wal-Mart and Walgreens)
• On-line sites (Snapfish)
• Not limited to 4x6. Can include calendars, mugs, mousepads, shirts.
• Free (temporary) online storage and sharing.

Sharing digital photos

• Email as an attachment. Hotmail will shrink them for easy sending / viewing.
• Load them on your website or blog.
• Photo sharing sites such as Flickr or Photobucket.