We have a big Oklahoma Joe's smoker we are getting ready to sell because we just bought an electric smoker. So far, we love it.
First off, for a newbie, this is what I'd suggest.
1. Go buy a smoking cookbook, or at the very least join a smoking forum, like this one:
The Smoke Ring
2. Start low and slow. People are so excited initially, so they want to smoke 14 kinds of meat and fish at the same time. To avoid wasting $$ on meat, and to also avoid disappointment and frustration, just buy a small pork butt and start there. A pork butt is hard to screw up, and tastes so good.
3. Take a smoking class! DH has taken several and it really gave him lots of ideas and perspective. He took his classes at a local shop that sells grills and rubs and such. I've seen them at gourmet cooking stores and community college adult classes too. Well worth the time.
4. Give yourself lots of time and focus on the task at hand. Someday you'll be able to paint the house while you're smoking 3 kinds of meat, but initially, just park yourself in a nice chair by your shiney new smoker and don't try to tackle lots of other chores at the same time. DH has a cigar while he is smoking meat. That's about all the multitasking he can handle.
5. One of the best tricks DH learned was to smoke the meat in the smoker for 2 hours, then wrap it in foil and finish it in the oven at a low temp. After a certain period of time, the meat won't take more smoke, and you run the risk of drying it out. There are lots of variations to this method, so eventually you'll find the one you like. A friend of ours wraps ribs in foil and puts them in a cooler (with no ice) for several hours and lets them sort of steam. Sounds unsafe to me, but I must admit they are great, tender ribs.
Good luck, and let us know how your first items turn out!