start out with chords c, d, and g. There frequentl used in alot of songs. Play those slowly to build up callouses, then string them togther and try to make them sound clear. By making tehm sound clear, you will learn to play properly, ie by hitting the preciese angle of finger tip to fretboard etc. If u dont want or cant afford lessions, that no problem as many great muscians never took lessons. I will however take you longer or make u more frustrated but that can be offset by spending more hours. Consult the webs site lessons as they are not bad...but lack of feed back can really hinder learning, so come and ask questions when stuck. This should take you about 2 months at one hour a day to get to know and play 3-6 chords at a descent pace. from there you can merge to whatever style you want gradually.

p.s. dont get discourage, and every thing might seem that it is too hard you will never get it, but its just practice, and some helpful advice :)

It is true that you should follow proper technique as practice makes permenent and perfect practice makes perfect, so follow the instructions slowly or sooner or later youll find your self screwing up and its hard to turn back then and undo what u have done.