The new gear is getting MUCH better! And it's fun to do. BUT also like Tas points out, you do NOT need to take a class to start. I am now using Sony Vegas and like the the Mac, they have many tutorials. And FREE seminars on the product at; http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/training
If you use a PC, you could use "Movie Maker" to get started for free. The nice thing about editing the stuff is if others may be interested in seeing it, it's not like the old vacation slide show deal where every body suffers!
What got me started was my love of watching cruising videos, and it seemed that there was not a lot of them out there. So I thought I would add to the group of videos out there, and pay a bit back at the same time.
YouTube now works great for letting me get a short video fix every now and then when I can't get out there.
Greg