Rank Newby---Need a roadmap!!

I’d like to use the MSP430 development tool to create a simple automatic light dimmer. I’ve got the development kit, but am not proficient w/any programming languages. What language should I learn and where do I start?

Bottom line is what are the basic skills I need to develop to do a rather simple project?

By the way,what are C Release, C Debug and C Spybywire?

Thanks for helping me get a clue!

You can use C or assembler, C is easier. The PIC or AVR would be much easier to use if you are a beginner.

Leon