I don't have any specific suggestions because I am at about the same point as you, just in the beginning stages of developing my PAD (Pedal Acquisition Syndrome). But here are a couple sources to learn about the different effects:

1) This video specifically deals with Compression. But this guy has a series of Youtube videos called Effects 101. Most are very basic but he discusses the different effects rather than recommending different brands of pedals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nM5GsNNbyA#t=0

2) There is a magazine put out by Guitarist Magazine called "Guitarist Guide to Effects Pedals". It is great!
http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/music-bookazines/the-guitarist-guide-to-effects-pedals/

It goes through explaining every effect and then recommends three different pedals (cheap, moderate, expensive) for each effect. It also has a lot of other articles, "101 Best Stomp Pedals", "Effects Boards of Five Gigging Pro Guitarists", etc. That website above says that it is sold out. I bought mine months ago. But I was just in Barnes and Noble a couple days ago and they still had one on the shelf. If you are in US and a major city you might want to check your local B&N.