Idiot's Guide To Cell Phones

[darklinensuit]

I think I'm finally going to join modern civ & get a cell, possibly as soon as tomorrow. My 3-D friends are bombarding me with advice until my head explodes. I'm counting on you folks to break it all down for this idiot as simply & clearly as possible.
I'm not a phone person, but I will be depending on the cell since I don't give out my home phone # except to close friends, they're pissed they have difficulty reaching me on it, and during the school year I don't want my classroom phone ringing with social calls, so I do need a good # of minutes on any plan I look at. I do know I want a phone that takes pics. Just 'cause. And free long distance seems like a given.

I'm leaning towards Verizon right now.
A friend wants to split a Cingular plan with me, but I haven't heard good thing about Cingular down here, & I don't want to be tied to a plan with a friend anyway, unless somebody can give me a very persuasive reason.
Also, I'd prefer not to deal with anything related to MCI (please don't tell me Verizon is) since I despise that company.

How many Stevie/Mac songs are available to be ringtones?

As you can see, I'm very green. Advise away. Don't leave me at the mercy of sales reps when I go in.

- Jake