Getting started with mutual funds?

[Dazarath]

I know this is a story that you've heard many times before, but I have some extra money on the side from poker and I'm looking to invest some of it. I've been lurking on this forum and maybe post an occasional question. (Thanks to those who helped me out.) I bought a couple books that posters have suggested, but I don't feel like investing in stocks right away, as I was told they're more risky. I figure I'll put my money into mutual funds. I know the advice is to stick it in an index fund since I don't know what I'm doing. That's why I came to ask how to learn what to do. Is there any literature on choosing good mutual funds? I know that one should research before buying, but how do I go about doing that? Thanks in advance to any help anyone can give me.

[Sniper]

http://www.morningstar.com/