Another Freakin' Beginner, how does this d#mn thing work? Options

[jl3ad23]

so right off the bat, i admit that i am not particularly adept with either computers or music. still, i endeavor to record on my g4, so laugh if you will, but please help if you can.

i am going the cheap route, because i am cheap (duh). i have downloaded audacity, which seems to be all i need anyway. i also have an old mac mic for an input. that's my setup. it's not like i'm writing operas here.

the problem is i can't seem to record. as in, i get no sound. the preferences panel for audacity does not give me the option of selecting the mic; it's set for the default "built in audio controller" - - what that means, i don't know, as the documentation for audacity is not particularly helpful.

i just want to be able to record some simple melodies and some chords on top. how do i get the sound from my instrument into the g4? can someone please tell me what i am doing wrong?