Basically I'm new to chess, well I know how to play and stuff from when I was a kid but alas my skill level never really improved as I didn't play all that much board games for a long time (video games and whatnot took up most of my time). However as of recently I took an interest in chess again and then I discovered this forum, and all I have to say is wow it's shown me the game is much more complex than I thought, with many strategical terms used such as "Hungarian" and "French", to name a few.

Now here lies my problem, with so many things to learn and limited time (I'm a high school student, lots of school work) I have no clue where to start absorbing all this information. So can anyone tell me where to start, and from there I can build off.
Keep in mind I know only the basics of chess, and nothing about any strategies or strategical terms or anything really.

Welcome to the forums Diablo! Many here think that the recommendation that I shall offer to thee is too advanced. However, mark my words, you will be quite happy with the knowledge in this book: "My System", by GM Aron Nimzowitsch.

"My System"? For a beginner?!?! You're right about one thing - I think it's too advanced.

My advice: Head to chesscafe.com, click the "archives" link to see their old articles, and look for Dan Heisman's "Novice Nook" column. One of the earliest columns was titled something like "A Generic Study Plan" or something obvious like that. Heisman's a USCF master and VERY well respected coach, so your best bet is to take his advice. While you're there, read some of his other Novice Nook columns, as well. He's been writing it monthly for at least 5 or 6 years now, so there's plenty there.

--Fromper

Do you think that a public library would have books on chess? I don't really think Im ready for strategy books quite yet, perhaps I can just check them out somewhere because as the other person mentioned I don't think Im advantaged enough for a book on strategy and whatnot. I will however check out the novice nook articles when I finish my homework in a day or two (AP World History is loads of fun haha). Does anyone else have any advice?
Some of the chess terminology confuses me as well, no specific examples at the moment though.

Thank you all for your help so far though

Yes. Si. Ja.

The public library should be rich in literature.

My public library system is depressingly poor in chess books. That's why I'm going to join a club in 2009, in hope of borrowing some better books from fellow members.

I never said you aren't good enough for books on strategy and tactics. I just said that the particular book recommended earlier in the thread is too advanced for a beginner. There are plenty of other chess books that are good for players of any level, even beginners, so you're better off starting with them and then working your way up to the more advanced stuff.

--Fromper

Good luck

I have another question, I'm reading some articles in the Novice Nook, and Im wondering what he means by 16.Bg5 as well as other such things, this was what I was reffering to by technical terms, is there any site that can give me a run down of what all these terms mean an whatnot? I know they're plays and whatnot but I have no clue what they mean haha.

16. Bg5 means on white's 16th move he moves his Bishop B to g5.

This wikipedia article should get you started:

Algebraic chess notation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia