Any advice for a beginner violin player?

PLEASE, read the whole thing . . thank you.
I just got a violin today, i've always really wanted to play. It's my
favorite instrument to listen to and i really need a new hobby. i
bought my violin for really cheap, about $50, but i know that this was
a better decision because if i really suck. . i don't want it to have
been a waste of money. people say these are pieces of junk (violins
under $500 or so), but it doesn't sound too bad to me. .

Anyhow, i was really hoping that someone could give me some tips on
what could help me pick it up faster and hopefully, some simple songs
to begin learning. Shouldn't i start off with some simple etudes? are
they so simple? :D and what's with this suzuki book thing i keep
hearing about? is that what most beginners start with? i'm really
hoping that someone can point out a website that can teach me how to
read basic music for the violin. i went to a website earlier, but they
said that music is "mostly" all the same on paper and only mentioned
"C clef" is sometimes used on violins and cellos and such. i have no
idea what this is. ^_^ BUT I REALLY WANT TO LEARN!))
Any tips to help me learn faster and any songs to practice; i thought
it may be easier to find songs if i could read some music on my own.))

i think what brought me to such an interest is simply hearing Antonio
Vivaldi. i immediately downloaded as many songs of his as i could (for
listening purposes) and i can probably say that this is what inspired
me the most! can i ever be that good? is it impossible to learn
entirely on your own? some people say "forget about it", but i am the
kind of person that thinks they can do anything if they try hard
enough. especially if i put a lot of work into it! ! >. < don't you
think so? i've also heard that many people simply play by ear.
especially folk players. . . shout i attempt this, or wait until i am
well-off on my own experience?

PLEASE NOTICE:
i of course know that it would be much more proficient and/or faster
if i had a teacher or lessons. but for me, this simply isn't possible.
i will spare you the drawn out story. (lol)

Thank you in advance, everyone at answers.yahoo.com have been very
helpful to me! you are good people!))