[BB-Kuhn]

Yes.

Go charcoal. If you go gasser, you'll regret not having the charcoal as soon as you get "hooked" on the new hobby.

I don't like the gas smokers for a variety of reasons:
-taste is inferior (not bad, but just not as good)
-I don't like the "how much propane" guessing game. If you lose the game, you ruin your cook.
-Have had hard times keeping temp DOWN low enough on Propane

As long as you get a decent charcoal setup (WSM/UDS) and stay away from the Cheapo bullet smokers you won't have a hard time with temp management. People here swear by UDS' but I prefer a Weber Smokey Mountain. Easy, pretty fuel efficient once you learn how to do it, and it'll last forever.