Lesson 2: Getting Started

So now you are fairly acquainted with the Blender program (or as we call it, interface), so lets get to work on some actual 3D objects.
when you open blender you will typically find a cube (this is the default). blender opens automatically in what we call "object mode". this means that the only thing you will be able to do with your project is manipulate the very basic portions of the actual object (meaning size, position and rotation), but not actually change the shape or detailed properties of the object. so lets begin by going into what we call "edit mode". to go into edit mode simply push the tab button (used to switch between object and edit modes) or find where it says object mode in the footer of the main ("3D view") window and click to select edit mode.
now we see a slightly different picture. most likely the cube will be pink with yellow edges and vertices (points where the edges meet together). when the cube is pink and the edges and vertices yellow, everything (all points) are selected on the cube. this wont help you much because when all of these vertices are selected, everything is moved at once with respect to each other when trying to manipulate the cube. the purpose of being in edit mode is to adjust each vertex individually (among other things). so to deselect these vertices press the "A" button. the a button deselects all vertices or selects all vertices (it will deselect all vertices even if only one is selected so to select all when there is only one of many preselected on the object you would have to press the "a" button twice).
now selection in blender is the last thing we will cover in this lesson before you get to play around with it a bit. to select nearly anything you MUST use the RMB or Right Mouse Button. this is probably different than anything you have done on a computer and will take some getting used to. after all vertices are NOT selected, select only one with your RMB. an odd looking three arrow...well...thing should appear around the vertex you selected. this is a transform handle. if you LMB (left mouse button) click on any of the spokes of this handle you can move the single vertex around.

additional notes:
-to select more than one (but not all) vertices at a time RMB+Shift click on the vertices.
-it is important to note that when you click a specific color of spoke on the transform handle, you will move the vertex only on that axis.
-if you click the grey circle around the vertex you have the freedom to move the vertex anywhere in 3D space
-if you think you are ready to rotate and scale some vertices or objects note and play around with these keys:
-R=rotate
-S=scale

Things to remember:
-LMB=Left mouse button, RMB=Right mouse button
-"A" key selects all or no vertices
-Press tab to go from edit mode to object mode and vice versa.