Originally Posted by
Tom Clayton
Welcome aboard!
First off, I've moved your post to the main FS2004 (also known as FS9) forum, since the Tips & Tweaks section is more for advice giving - although several threads have wound up there after questions were answered. A great example is the most recent addition, which is the Win 10 thread. It started here, garnered some really good info, then got moved.
As for "how to," I don't know of any single publication such as "FS2004 for Dummies," but feel free to ask any question you have here. If your question is performance related, be sure to include your system specs. Most of us here on this board have been using FS9 since it came out on 29 July 2003, so we pretty much know it inside and out. And remember, "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask!"