It's not hard, and there are many books out there that explain the process. You can visit a library or a bookstore and just find one that seems comprehensible to you. Books like Ansel Adams' _The Negative_ and Anchell and Troop's _Film Developing Cookbook_ are standards, but you might find something illustrated that focuses more on the basics better for starting out.
Start with B&W, and maybe a traditional film like Plus-X, FP-4+, Tri-X, or HP-5+, rather than T-Max, since T-Max and color require more careful processing controls than conventional B&W films. It's also probably best to learn with a traditional developer like D-76 or ID-11 or HC-110, before getting too adventurous with exotic formulas.
You don't need much to start processing film--a changing bag, a tank and reels (I recommend Hewes stainless steel reels), a thermometer, graduates, and bottles for chemistry. Plastic auto-loading reels may be easier to load for a first-timer, but in the long run, stainless reels are faster and less prone to chemistry flow problems, once you get the hang of them.
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