well, $30 is too low for me.
utrero, to learn about general UI stuff, go visit
http://www.eqinterface.com/
First, learn the minimums about placement and sizes and general things like that in the XML files.
Then, learn some of the basics about MQ2, macros, and how to display the info you want.
After you learn both of those, then start on your UI. Or just use someone elses and hope they keep supporting it.