Check out this thread:

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2722867

The links at the top of the list are "newbie" tutorials that explain the make up of the material room.

The other links in that thread are tutorials and discussions that explain how to do all kinds of things in the material room.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi