Bronx, don't be daunted by you lack of experience with computers. These days, adding hardware such as a scanner is as easy as plugging it in and inserting the accompanying CD. Everything starts automatically and just follow the instructions on the screen.
As for using it, READ THE MANUAL, whether it be paper or on the CD, and carefully follow the instructions. Most software is user friendly these days, and it will usually come with a window of icons that lets you scan in and save in a very simple way. When you get more adventurous, you can clean up, enhance and manipulate (including use of special effects) your pictures with digital imaging software. But beware, it can turn into a very time-consuming hobby!
Ask around you friends and work colleagues to find out if they have any experience - one demo is worth a hundred hours of finding out for yourself. Computer stores will demonstrate it all to you in an effort to sell you the scanner and imaging software. I don't know what you'd be charged to convert the images in a retail outlet, but I bet if you did the calculations you would find that you would rapidly pay out more than the cost of a good quality high spec scanner in an incredibly short time.
But don't buy immediately; do your research, asking about other Ppruners' experience and recommendations for scanner and software brands (I did this before I bought my digital camera last year, and it was through advice posted on this forum that I settled on the model I now routinely use) - start a new topic with your question - say, 'Advice Please - which scanner to buy?' (I can't help you there - mine's over 4 years old and still producing high quality images!).
And there are thousands of Ppruners out there who will readily give you answers to your questions, no matter how basic and dumb you think them to be - we've all been there, and it is a warm and fuzzy feeling that the professionals that post in these specialist forums are prepared to be so understanding and helpful .