i started with Learning Perl (the llama book), and it was super clear and easy to understand. i'm a total beginner too -- no other languages, except a smattering of BASIC when i was a kid. i'd definitely start there, if you've got the $25 for the book.

the tutorials here on Perl monks have lots of help on specific topics, but they're not necessarily a good place to start if you're as brand new as i was.

once you do get even a smattering of perl basics, though, the monks are super helpful about even the most basic questions. and there's a ton of questions/answers to common problems that you can access just by typing your question or keywords into the search box.

come to think of it, i've actually never even posted a question, because most of the things i want to do have all been done by others before me. i just do a search, and i've never come away empty-handed.

--cricket