Booker21 asked about where to start learning rigging for the completely un-initiated.
Since it’s all new, you’re in luck: You can start anywhere, but you must remember to start simply. Try doing something with a very simple rig as quickly as possible.
Working with the limitations of a basic rig will help you to appreciate each new tool or doo-dad that the software has or that some clever rigger here can teach you.
Remember that when you read about someone’s latest and greatest rig, it was likely built for a character with very specific needs.
If you’re just starting, then your needs should be basic. Don’t complicate your way with unnecessary complexity right off the bat.
make a simple rig without fingers or facial expressions. Then grab some sound bites or record your own, and start posing. Videotape yourself or your friend, or your nephew, and watch this as you work.
A ‘Magic Bullet’ rig is either going to be difficult to manage, or unnecessarily hard on system resources. (advice subject to change without notification) 
A number of pre-fab rigs are out there. “Final Rig” is a free bi-pedal rig from Radiant Square. Looks to have alot of features, and you can start animating that right away.
Not to mention:
Learn all you can about classical animation; learn to draw, to see, to move, and act, to see and feel weight; mass, emotion.
Move it!