Cameras

I’m looking to follow in my fathers hobby-footsteps as a photographer, he has a few good camera’s although I do not know the name/type/specs of them. Unfortunately he isn’t here today to show me how and what.. He used film, but I’m more edging towards the digital side myself. Can anyone tell me as a beginner what is a good camera? And photography software? I have both Windows XP Laptop and an iMac. Thanks in advance

What is a good camera, what software is needed, and what other supplies would be helpful? I am trying to break into the photojournalistic side of photography and want to start off with the right equipment.

Starting with the daguerreotype and continuing to present times, photography has evolved from a very difficult, tedious, time consuming, expensive process, that only professionals used, into a quick, efficient, relatively inexpensive medium practiced by just about everyone. Digital photography as I see is just a continuation of this historical trend. So the question I pose is what is next? Perhaps new camera design, software, print technology? I personally feel that print technology is not where it should be in comparison to the advances that have been made in sensor technology, but I would like to hear opinions.