Hi pool dummy!
the smartest thing you can possibly do, is get yourself a 1st class test kit. Almost everyone on this uses, and swears by the TF100.
you can only get them online.
TFTestkits.net
This kit will allow you to test everything in the water that you need to.
In the meantime, take a few minutes and read the ABC's of water chemistry. This is just a description of what things like FC, pH, CH, TA and CYA etc are, and how they play together in the pool.
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Then, bookmark the recommended levels. These levels are where you want each water parameter to be.
Pool School - Recommended Levels
And, learn how to use pool math. Its pretty simple really. Just play around with it a bit.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html
Of course, if you have any questions about any of this stuff, or anything else, just ask, and lots of folks here will be willing to help out!
Enjoy!