After a few years of considering making my own sourdough bread I think I am ready to take on the responsiblity of a sourdough starter.  BUT I have no idea where to begin.  I have made plenty of beautiful loaves using regular yeast so I know the basics pretty well but I hear that sourdough can be completely different.  If someone could point me in the right direction I would be very grateful.   Everything I have tried to read on this website has only confused me more.   It seems everybody has a different way of making a starter and I have no way to know which is the best. (I am looking for something relatively easy in terms of work involved and a very reliable method) And then once I make the starter, then what?  I don't have any recipes that call for a starter.   I guess I just need a very clear concise explanation on how to begin.  Also, I need to make sure to keep the bread (and starter) dairy free.  Thanks in advance.