h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Excellent article. I bought my first telescope about a year and a half ago. It's a nice short tube reflector with a 6 inch aperature. I picked it up new with tripod and carrying case for under $200. I've found it to be very handy and portable and the short tube length makes it a very comfortable 'scope to look through. For those that live in a light (and air) polluted area as I do, it makes a nice introductory scope. It's easy to handle and gathers adaquate light for my area. One thing I point out to people is that even in cities you can see the more interesting planets, which is what most people aim for when the first start off with astronomy anyway. On a clear night you can still make out the rings of Saturn and the bands of Jupiter, and it's always a thrill when you first see their moons.

Keep looking up.

if you are prepared to accept a dobsonian mount (which doesn't take much getting used to), you can sometimes get similar telescopes even cheaper.