I got for xmas a Meade ETX-70AT telescope...

Well, no luck with the aligment process. Follow every step found in dif
web sites, and nothing... =( I dont want to give up and leave the
telescope in the garage (or ebay!!)

I do have a few problems... I dont know anything about the stars (where
they are in space, names, etc).

I do level my telescope right, and is poniting to north and also try
with my true north. Enter also the right date and a very acurate time
into my autostar. But when I am doing the easy align (or well the
Autostar does it), well, it moves to a certain location but I dont see
that "bright star" that I am supose to see (even if i move around). I
am in the city so I am thinking that may be that could be a reason I
dont see that bright star (all look the same to me)

Since I dont know that much, well I'm not even sure if is point to the
right location (or close to it).

My questions are :

Where do I start?

I am trying to use xephem or the software that came with the telscope
so see if I can identify the stars, but, I still find "complex" how to
read the "sky view" map.
I was able to see the moon and all I can say is WOW.