I would suggest running through a tutorial or two using one of the hosted machine learning options (Amazon has one I am working with right now).
This will let you focus on the essence of machine learning (data gathering and cleansing, interpretation) rather than the mechanics. The gathering of data and building of intuition about results are by far the hardest parts of machine learning, in my experience and reading. This is especially true if you are just getting started.
Plenty of time to focus on the mechanics later.
(Full disclosure, I am working on a ebook about Amazon machine learning link in profile.)
This will let you focus on the essence of machine learning (data gathering and cleansing, interpretation) rather than the mechanics. The gathering of data and building of intuition about results are by far the hardest parts of machine learning, in my experience and reading. This is especially true if you are just getting started.
Plenty of time to focus on the mechanics later.
(Full disclosure, I am working on a ebook about Amazon machine learning link in profile.)