How simple is SEO for a computer novice?

[squeaky]

Getting a basic understanding of SEO isn't that difficult. The title and description are very important issues when it come to SEO to deal with. After you have that down, you need to focus on page content, keywords, keyword phrases, anchored text, alt tags and then making sure that your web page code validates.

SEO takes lots of time and patience. Good results sometimes takes weeks or even months. While the information above pertains to on page SEO, there are many things which you can do for off page factors as well.
Building good backlinks, participating in forums and social networks, submitting to established article directories and general directories will help with the SEO process.

There are whitehat and blackhat techniques. Whitehat are approved by the search engines, while blackhat techniques can get your web site banned from the search engines.
If you want to build your website on a good foundation for the long haul, then I suggest take the whitehat road. I don't suggest that you follow anything which is blackhat, if you have a website that you value.

The Madmouse Blog at http://www.madmouseblog.com/ has many articles about SEO, blogger tips for better ethical blogging. I encourage you to visit and learn more about SEO and website promotion.