As a non-Nikon shooter myself, I have to say that you've got a solid, workhorse, entry level slr from the mid 2000's - iirc its got the AF motor onboard unlike the other low end Nikons from that era, so it'll work with the late film-era lenses as well giving a broader range of glass you can work with... Nicely done, if you're actually serious about learning about photography, thats a proper place to start instead of the point-and-shoots and compacts - which, although they have their place - i've a bunch of them myself and am very happy with them - aren't really suitable for a lot of more "technical aspects" of shooting.
When it arrives, spend some time and get familiar with it's handling - play around in the programmed modes first, as it's a BIG jump up to a SLR from point-and-shoots or cameraphones. People often underestimate the transition, and get really frustrated that their new fancy SLR actually ends up giving them worse pictures than the cameraphone. Difference is, the SLR needs more thought, more input from the user, and (initially at least) a more considered approach in use. Playing around with the camera initially is great to get basic familiarity. Then, when you're feeling a little more ambitious, go shoot something more serious (but also, and this is key, something thats easily repeatable - don't go shoot something that you can't do a reshoot of) - and post it up on this forum, in the appropriate section, tell us what you were trying to achieve, what you feel worked, and what's annoying you, and then sit back and listen with an open mind, and let people help you...
It's amazing how much this place has helped me improve my photography... and I joined here over 12 years ago, with a background of shooting both amateur and professional in the 30+ years of camera use I had before joining here... It's VERY hard to develop "in a bubble" - you'll learn more if you share your work and open your mind to the critique* given.
I hope you'll bear the above in mind as you continue to participate in this forum - as - honestly - you do in your fairly short term of membership here, have developed something of a reputation of snapping at everyone who says something you don't like... Critique, by it's nature is going to be telling you that you've done something wrong / different to what everyone else would have done - and nobody enjoys that experience - BUT - if you DO take it on board, you'll find that there are some incredibly helpful and generous (with their time and efforts, and often in other ways) people on here. In short, you'll reap what you sow - be open minded and you'll get help, assistance, and some great information - be a grumpy litlte arse, and you'll get to go and find another forum eventually.
* oh - and learn the difstinction between critique and just criticism. If someone says "thats crap, bin it" - thats criticsm. If someone says "that's crap, bin it, and go reshoot, this time paying more attention to..." thats critique. Yes folks, critique doesn't need to be "soft and cuddly and PG friendly" it just needs to be helpful, and hopefully accurate (though, sometimes, a "wake up call" can be what's really needed. Listen to the Critique, ignore the Criticism (and, optionally, hit the ignore button on the person as well)- because the people just criticising aren't behaving in the spirit of the forum either.
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