Beginning SharePoint development

So you're wanting to create a custom web part? Well from one beginner to another let me walk you through the basics.

Environment:
You need to set up the proper development environment. While you can develop from a separate computer from the server that holds your SharePoint Portal, I will be showing you how to develop from the server itself. More experienced devs can chime in with best practice advice.
--Load Visual Studio 2005 (any version) on the SharePoint Portal server.
--Load Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Tools: Visual Studio 2005 Extensions on the SharePoint Portal Server (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=19F21E5E-B715-4F0C-B959-8C6DCBDC1057&displaylang=en)

Now you're ready to go.

Procedure:
Here are just a few tutorial links for initial development... best way to learn is jump in and get wet.
(http://www.datasprings.com/Resources/ArticlesInformation/Sharepoint2007CustomWebParts/tabid/775/Default.aspx)
(http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200510/ij_10_10_05a.html)
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/05/09/WebParts/default.aspx)
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=48B2C899-DB2C-4A93-AA95-AF4A37FA8AE8&displaylang=en)
(http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms564508.aspx)
(http://www.15seconds.com/issue/040218.htm)

Here are some language references (remember SharePoint is written in C#)
(http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vcsharp/default.aspx)
(http://www.csharpfriends.com/)
(http://www.dotnetfun.com/)
(http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/)
(http://www.csharp-station.com/Default.aspx)
(http://www.codeproject.com/index.asp?cat=3)


Good Luck!