I am trying to set up my 8600GT to be used to mine solo, but, unfortunately, I am an idiot and don't know much about this kind of stuff.  I'd find it pretty helpful.

Yeah, is there any other open pools that are good?  Also, I am a beginner (total beginner) to this, is there any guide to how to join a mining pool that doesn't assume you know how to do more advanced stuff?  If Bitcoins are going to be used by a large population, there has to be simple guides.  I'd call myself more advanced in terms of tech than most, but I'm no expert.