get a good thermometer, one with a remote sensor and a one of the pager type units so you don't have to babysit the whole time. keeping the temp right, enough water in it, etc, all very important.

don't slice the meat up when you first take it out, give it a few minutes!

try different meats, etc, use different types of wood (maple, apple, etc) take notes and learn from it.

bacon wrapped jalepneo poppers are awesome in the smoker

do up a bunch of sausage, and have different hot sauces and mustards, great way to sample things like that.

I've got the Brinkman Vertical Gas Smoker. My usual process is to start with something a bit basic before I move up to something expensive, and this was reasonably priced and got very good reviews.

The ribs turned out quite good, but I think next time we'll finish them off with BBQ sauce. We went with dry this time just so I could get the cooking right, but everyone in the family prefers a nice messy rib

yah, i slather on the sauce in the last hour..

just get throwaway bibs and you're good to go