Need Wheel Info!

can anyone give me a crash course in wheels? I currently have a poor excuse for a bike, and am doing research for putting a legit one together. I don't know very much about what's out there and need a push in the right direction.

I guess a couple big questions would be: What are the common brands out there and their reputations in terms of quality? I also see a lot of different wheel "technologies." What wheel types are out there, and which ones really make a difference?

I'll be looking at different websites for sure, but I'd like to hear what real ppl have to say about it instead of companies.