my first axe was the SX strat package from davis too *paiseh*
well, it can be pretty hard self learning. i advise you to get some one you know who can play guitar or best, a teacher. if otherwise, it isn't that hard as long as you know what kinda music you like and where and how you wanna start learning guitar.
i started with an acoustic, learning my chords, strumming and fingerpicking. after that, i went on to electric after a year. i learnt to hold a pick properly, learnt how to alternate pick, how to palm mute, riffing, scales, stuff like that.
if you like the strokes, you can start off by going to book stores or any other music store to find chord and riff books of the band. books like these have diagrams and tablatures of how to play their songs. if im right there is such a book store near the old vacant guitar 77 shop at penin.
and its okay to start of with an electric. if you know yourself well and what you want its fine so go for it =D
cheers and happy playing