Photography help...?

i have started taking up photography a couple of months ago, and i was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to take a sunset photo? i took some (first time) last night and i get the results today and they weren't as great as i expected. should i use the flash on my camera when it's outside and starting to get dark, or should i set the shutter speed/aperature (sp?)...? also, how much would a tripod cost if i'm considering in buying one? i have a 35 mm minolta maxxum (first camera, mind you), does anyone have any recomendations on any other camera, or should i just also consider buying lenses? (so many questions, i know.)

Forget the flash it wont do any good
Bracket your exposures using both aperture and speed.
Use a tripod.
your camera will never capture the view with as much intensity as your eye...if you expect that your always gonna be disappointed.
Good luck

Firstly expose for the sky, and set the f stop back one or two stops to get more colour in the sky. Underexposing gets the white light out of the colour spectrum. You will probably also get silouettes from other things in the picture. You won't get what u see with the human eye. Good luck.

In addition to DBE's answer, if you're looking to get detail below the horizon you might benefit from a graduated filter.
The exposure needed for the sky is different from what's needed below the horizon and the purpose of the graduated filter is to help balance out this difference by reducing the amount of light entering the camera from the sky.

Forget the flash unless you have a very big one. Set your camera at f8 1/60th second. Hold on tripod. Then go to 1/30. then 1/15th.

I have had a Minolta, and I hated it. I would suggest investing in a good quality digital camera instead of the 35 mm so you do not waste as much money getting them developed and you can see what you have as soon as you shoot it. I prefer a Canon brand bc of such a good quality. I just got a new one for Christmas, and I absolutely love it. It takes pictures like a pro!

Slower shutter speed. This gives the light a chance to travel to the lens.

Take notes when you take pics. For the sunset, take a few shots at different settings and keep a log of each pic. When you see them, compare them to your notes. The log will be a good guide. Sometimes, I use a filter before a full sunset and get nice sunset effect.

A tripod is not expensive....$40.