Got my first blog up now what help would like to customize wordpress help

[alc]

Hello, I finally got up my blog I used the simple to go way of using my cpanel fantastico wordpress already there. I would like some help customizing it now if anyone can help. I like the setup of the admin area but would like to change the main index page template. I use frontpage do I just create a page that I want then add the folder to with the full web page up to the wordpress template folder? About plugins I am not very familiar with them is this were RSS and other feeds are I would like to add some automatic feeders like RSS and others that will post everyday on auto pilot if possible. If anyone has a good tutorial that I can go to on customizing wordpress other than the wordpress site I would appriciate thanks.