help with getting started

I want to make a Sim like game in VB and i don't know where to start, i don't have very much experience. should i use directx or what?

im using VB5

DirectX is good, coz it's very fast. But the point is that you should know about general game programming first. Will be the best if you make some 2d engines first, they may be in DX but it's not that important (coz you can switch easily the graphics renderer)

First I started out with using Image and Picture boxes. Then I progressed to using Types, Variables and BitBlt. Now, I trying to learn DirectX.

So as you can see. You have to progress little by little.

does anyone know any good directx tutorials b/c the ones i've seen just tell you the code but don't explain it and what it does

http://www.vbsquare.com/graphics/directx/

http://www.vbsquare.com/graphics/directx2/

http://www.cason.addr.com <- This ones leads to a bunch of other links. It also has many tutorials and examples for beginners.