Can some one talk to me about blog hosts/blogging software?

[somethinganything]

OK, so I have an idea for a blog. I'm really excited about it but really want to make sure I set it up right etc. No experience of blogging whatsoever so would really appreciate some feedback on the following from experience bloggers:

• is it worth paying for a host site?
• who are the really good hosts?
• I'm reading stuff about some sites hosting and having software incorporated - is that what I want?
• what else do I need to know before I get going?

Thanks v much

PS I know I can set up a MN blog but much as I love MN I think I'd like something independent of it

PPS off to pick up DD1 from nursery in a min so if I go quiet it's only temporary

I'd give it a try on one of the free ones first, so you can figure out what features you are using and what you would maybe value paying a bit for. I always found Wordpress to be good, the free Wordpress hosted one, which takes care of all the software patching etc for you. It is also fairly easy to export all your content to another platform if you decide to change.
Everyone I know who has used self-hosted Wordpress has ended up tearing their hair out in frustration, so I'd avoid that for now.
If you want to buy your own domain, so you don't get .wordpress in the blog adress, you can buy one and add this to the free version for a small charge.
I also used to use Windows Live Writer a lot, to create posts offline then upload them later, but you can use this with quite a few platforms.
I did try to use typepad once, but it made me cry. That was a long time ago, to be fair, and they may be better now.

Have a look at the threat "how do i start up my own blog?" below this one for someone else who asked a similar question.

I don't think that it's worth paying for a blog unless it grows to some gigantic size or something, for most things the free sites are fine.