Ideally yeah I would like to take a class before hand and touch on each kind to see what fits me best, but our area is not big on welding classes apparently and we have to wait till fall. And it sounds like in the end IÆll most likely be getting the same thing I want now because that is what is best suited for and what everyone else seems to suggest, which would be a 220v MIG and w/ gas if its within my price range.

I guess this one is a spool, if i wanted to use stick, is it just as simple as changing the gun?

for reference how is this one, price-wise, brand-wise?
http://www.welding-equipment.net/mig_welders_220volt_gasnogas.html