DeathAndTaxes, thanks - appreciated! im running it off a brand spanking new laptop, and was considering getting my desktop involved in it aswell, like I say, im just dipping my toes at the moment. What would you recommend for speeding it up? Overclocking?

It certainly does seem involved, but it also seems to be still in it's infancy - looking at the big picture, anyway - so I want to get on it!

Alright guys and girls, just joined the forum.. So im using Bitcoin Wallet and and GUI Miner v2012-12-03..

Joined a pool, got my username password, put in my wallet address on the pools website.. hit start mining..

2013-03-27 12:08:40: Running command: poclbm.exe JustSomeGuy.worker1:h3RxFRYe@api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 --device=1 --platform=0 --verbose -r1
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default" started
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:40, started OpenCL miner on platform 0, device 1 (AMD A4-4300M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics)
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:40, checking for stratum...
2013-03-27 12:08:41: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:41, diverted to stratum on stratum.bitcoin.cz:3333

I'm running at 1.1Mhash/s, and it says Shares: 0 accepted, 2 stale/invalid..

Nothing else seems to be happening. Is it mining or am I missing something here?

I realise I sound like an enormous newbie right now.. so a push in the right direction would be much appreciated!

Cheers
JSG