I got my first camera in May 2009, before that, I had a point and shoot (very basic model) but rarely used it...
Since then, there has been a very steep learning curve, which, I don't think will ever end.
As soon as I got my Camera, I joined Flickr, and on here, have met many new friends, and learnt a lot.
There's some great photographers out there, would be amazing to be half as good as they are.