Check this out
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htmOnce you have made the association about how to properly meter a scene and make the proper adjustments for the correct exposure, you can then learn to make your own adjustments by using the full manual mode. For now, just learn how to use the AV mode on your camera and then compose your picture to make a shot. Also look up "rules of third" for composition of a photo.
And lastly, it all depends on your computer. If you have a Sony Viao, photoshop elements will already be pre-installed. For Mac, you would have the "aperture" software. Learn basic photoshop skills to enhance your photos by learning how to adjust levels and curves for now.
Take lots and lots and lots of photos. Look up books and browse thru lots and lots of photos by other photographers to gain "inspiration". There are the likes of Tom Ang, Michael Kenna, Robert Capa, Ansel Adams etc. You can always google for "famous photographers".
Finally, do not get dragged into the gearhead fanboy mindset. It Is never the equipment, it is the photographer who makes the photo, not the gear. I would suggest getting a 50mm 1.8 and learn how to zoom with your feet for now. After a while, you would discover the type of photography that intrigues you and you would then get the lenses that suits your needs. Do not get lenses to impress others. At the end of the day, a crappy photographer will always take crappy pictures.
Good luck and congrats on your camera.