check out
www.charlesschwab.com -- they have different types of accounts you can set up - -they have live people you can talk to - as well as a pretty easy site to do research on.. .from what i understand -t heir trading rates are pretty low as well.
as for tips -- invest carefully... like gambling - don't invest more than you could stand to lose... don't expect to get rich overnight, if you're in it for the long haul that's even better...