What is a good digital camera to buy for a beginner??

Any camera will be fine. Don't get the little cheap ones though that don't have good picture quality. Get at least a 3 megapixel. Cameras with 7 are pretty inexpensive these days.

It would help if you know what the pictures will be used for. A VGA camera (648 x 480) pixels? will make prints 4 x 6 inches O.K. For use on the web or with e-mail, QVGA format (324 x 240) pixels? is adequate. Many cameras under $60. will provide either format and you can also use them as a WebCam. One feature you may not have suspected: some cameras require you to use Playback mode or Photo Mode. Such cameras will not take a picture if the switch is in Playback Mode.

We bought a Kodak...it works great and is simple to use.

Good luck.