First, start with technique. If you don't fret, position the guitar, strum, etc properly, you'll always have problems and those can be hard habits to break if you start out wrong.
First, I'd start with basic chords. If you can play nothing else, at least you'll feel like you accomplished something. And hell, if someone asks what you know, you can strum a few chords and they'll think you sound like Clapton.
With those chords, practice your technique; fretting properly, strumming, etc. Oh, and for now, stick with a pick. Fingerpicking can be a pain in the arse.
One of the things that a teacher I knew taught FIRST was to know what note EVERY fret was on the fretboard. The first lesson was a layout of the fretboard and you had to have it absolutely memorized before the next class or you couldn't go on. Not a bad idea.
Do some reading on how to play scales, how your fingers (ALL FOUR) should be used and what it means to be effecient on the fretboard.
After all that, just have fun. Buy some TAB sheet music, listen to songs and try to pick out what the guitarist is doing. Something that was suggested to me is to play while watching TV and try to play theme songs or whatever is on the TV. It'll force you to listen and pay attention to pitch and develop your ear.
Good luck with your new toy.