I am no expert but i do have a few things to say on the Subject.
when i started climbing the first thing i did was buy a book right after i got my harness. I climbed with someone who had experience. i asked alot of dumb questions and still do. I even ask dumb questions here... if someone can't take a little ribbing than maybe they don't realy want to climb. at least not bad enough to get over the fact that everyone feels stupid when they are learning. i was realy lucky, i spent the begining of my climbinb career surrounded by climbers of all kinds. i read every thing i could get my hands on. i walked up to people at crags and asked them why they were doing what they were doing (as far as the set up) and if they would show me. if someone wants to climb bad enough they will work out how. i asked for belay's i asked people if they would climb with me. i worked at it. i am not an athletic person at all. but this is and was important to me so i worked my ass off physicaly, mentaly and emotionaly to get it. now i am not a great leader as i am not bold, but i do understand the mechanics. I have not climbed alot of multi pitch and when i go i will make sure i go with someone who has done it before and i will sure as shit be watching my rope and paying attention to as many details as humanly possible. if you are a beginer get a fucking mentore and read a fucking book or 12. i am not joking. climbing is IMHO not something you just go do. it is something you must learn. it is a skill that one must cultivate. and if you are not willing to put in the time and you just want to jump on the rock because you think you are a superstar jock who can do any sport, well fuck you. eventualy you will fuck up and die. climbing is was and always will be a thinking persons sport. if the day ever comes where gear can garentee you will never die than climbing will no longer be climbing, it will be golf.