Shawn,
I'm somewhat of a newbie here too but I think you are ok to post pics. However, the easiest way to do it (and the only way I know) is to go to photobucket.com and create an account. Then you can upload your pics to their site and link directly from them to here. When your pics are uploaded, there will be a few options of code below them. One has tags around it. copy that and paste it into your message. Remember to upload your photos using a smaller resolution (it gives you the option inphotobucket) since it automatically resizes the photos for use on message boards, etc. I think I have it set for the 15" screen size which resizes them to 800X600. Somewhere on the page will say "Uploading Options" that you can click on to change the size.
Hopefully that isn't too confusing for you but it was the best way I found to post pictures. Be sure to copy all of that line of code with the [IMG] tags and be sure to preview your post before submitting it so that you know you got it right.
Andy