I like what I've seen from the nikon coolpix, for a decent point and shoot.
The canon g9 is a great camera but fairly pricey. It takes great pictures once you learn how to use it.
If you're going to get an SLR - the canon rebel xti, or xsi is a great camera and that's what I shoot with (an xti). If you buy and SLR, it's my opinion that the lens you use is more important then the camera body. Save up for a good lens.
That's all I know.
The real key is to know how to use whatever you buy. Read the manual, learn what each setting does and use the camera's strengths to your advantage.
That's the key.
I'm sure vertex and justin could chime in from the nikon side of the rainbow