There are a ton of suggestions for getting started on the Soil & Compsting forum (be warned those people can be intense at times). My compost pile is in such an out-of-the-way spot in my front yard that no one has ever noticed it's there.
My compost pile is mostly shredded leaves and lawn clippings with a layer of coffee grounds spread in it to encourage worms. Other than that I can't tell you anything. I just let it sit till it breaks down, and I'm such a casual composter (read lazy) that it usually takes a year to become compost. There are ways to do it much more quickly and efficiently. For an even easier method there is what I call redneck compost - let your gutters stay clogged so long that the leaves turn to black dirt.
Here's a Walter Reeves link for getting started - really basic info.

Here is a link that might be useful: WR Compost