How can I take better pictures?

So many people ask me "How can I take better pictures?"

My answer: read a little and looks at photos.  One of the first things I learned was the "Rule of Thirds".  Once you learn about it, you will look at photos in a different way.

Here are 3 links to websites that have great articles on photography.

http://digital-photography-school.com/

http://www.petapixel.com/

http://photo.tutsplus.com/