New Install – Categories vs. Pages

Good morning. Going to do my install tonight. Have been reading a lot of the WP site so I start in the right direction. Crucial to know that categories are sorted alpha or by I.D., and made a nice layout in a notebook. From the outset I will have no commenting on my site until it looks good and has some content.

My “pages” will be the standard about, contact, blog and my index or home page will also be a page and not the blog itself. These will be across the top just like this site. 🙂

I think my question is how categories are used. Are categories just for blog stuff? Like down the left I want alpha sort for Gems, Necklaces, Watches which of course could all have sub categories.

My goal is to have these informational pages and then at some point turn them on for commenting. Or maybe not at all. Can my left column be interspersed with blog categories AND page categories?

Was up late last night and this is pretty important that I start off the right way.