As moondog said, find a place you can play with the camera. Make sure you not only like how it feels, but that you feel comfortable using the features you want to use. You want to feel comfortable with the camera. I can't imagine being able to take a good pictures if too much of your concentration is always set on how to use the features on your camera.

Personally, I recommend Canon Cameras in general, whether point and shoots or DSLRs.

If(hopefully when) you go to a store to look at cameras and play with them, be careful of what any salesman might say. Unless he can help walk you through features or perhaps show you things he's taken with his camera, he's probably full of shit. Especially the people at Best Buy and Wal-Mart.

I also recommend going to look at cameras, try them out, decide which one you like, then go home and wait a day or two. Then go back, play with it again and make sure you feel the same way.

These are issues I run into all the time at work with different types of cameras and people. They're talked into too much camera, they get one that doesn't have easy to use features, they decide later on they don't like the camera or (and this one won't be an issue for you) they don't do any research.

These are just suggestions but strongly recommended suggestions. Hope you have fun with your new toy!