Help!

[counterpart]

Hey guys, I need help finding a good starter DSLR. I have heard great things about a lot of cameras but need help picking the rite one! I'm looking in the $400-500 range for a new one and $200-500 for a used one. I have been looking between the Nikon D40 and D3000 a lot lately. But would also like to know whats up with Canon and others like Olympus and Sony. Can anyone help?

Also, whats the difference between the VR lenses and non VR? And what exactly do the #s indicate that are on the lenses.

Sorry if I sound new, but that's because I am! But I would really love to get into Photography! I plan on shooting pretty much everything, from stuff in the dezert and on the lake to flowers and portrait type stuff. Would also like to get into HDR but not quite yet!

Thanks for any help!