OK, slow down a little here.. This is far too much information to just write here in a few paragraphs..
Are you after a 35mm SLR, a DSLR, a bridge camera an advanced compact or a P&S??
Best camera > There is no such thing. All cameras these days are capable of producing great images, just go into a store with a budget in mind and choose the camera that feels the most comfortable to hold and which the buttons feel most intuitive. It really is as simple as that.
Ignore anybody who shouts out one brand over another.
Tips for taking images> If you are new to photography then you will need to learn the basics first. Because I do not know if you are after an SLR I am assuming that you may be after a P&S. Either way the first thing to learn is composition. Read this link and put it to practice..
http://photoinf.com/General/Robert_Berdan/Composition_and_the_Elements_of_Visual_Design.htm
Editing Tips> Again I am not sure what program you are going to be using. Here is the best site for video tutorials on Photoshop..
http://www.thedigitalphotographyconnection.com/index.php
This guys site is also useful for some editing tips with Adobe Elements plus other information..
http://www.jimsdigitaldiary.com/
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