The reason that you are getting conflicting information is because there are lots of ways to do the same things and peoples bodies are different. Try a few suggestions and find the one your body responds to best.
As others have said, bulking would probably be best for now as you are a reasonible shape and it will be easier to loose the surpless fat after you build some muscle.
You could also take a look that the rippetoes workout as this has seen good results in some.
Don't get in to it too heavy, too fast. I would repectfully disagree with ben on not using an empty bar. Whilst loading to an easy weight will allow you to build the weight up faster, the point of the empty bar is to get the form sorted out before adding the weight. It is building the fundementals. If you have not done any weight training before and are not generally fit then you will probably find the empty bar is the required starting point for some lifts anyway (bench press, shoulder press for example). I know it was for me. The weight will go up quickly enough. The worst thing you can do is push too hard at the beginning and get an injury. I know for experience
. The last thing you need is three weeks off because you pushed to hard, too fast.
After you are a month or two in then you can really hit it hard. Don't get me wrong, you do need to push but back off when you get any pain rather than trying to push through it. Muscle exhaustion and lactic acid buildup burning sensation is not the sort of pain I mean
.
Try exrx.net for their great exercise directory which give advice and animated gifs for correct form.
Record your diet and post it up here after, say, a week and people can help steer you in a better direction if needed.
Set reasonible goals. Without a goal then what have you got to work towards.
RB
As others have said, bulking would probably be best for now as you are a reasonible shape and it will be easier to loose the surpless fat after you build some muscle.
You could also take a look that the rippetoes workout as this has seen good results in some.
Don't get in to it too heavy, too fast. I would repectfully disagree with ben on not using an empty bar. Whilst loading to an easy weight will allow you to build the weight up faster, the point of the empty bar is to get the form sorted out before adding the weight. It is building the fundementals. If you have not done any weight training before and are not generally fit then you will probably find the empty bar is the required starting point for some lifts anyway (bench press, shoulder press for example). I know it was for me. The weight will go up quickly enough. The worst thing you can do is push too hard at the beginning and get an injury. I know for experience
. The last thing you need is three weeks off because you pushed to hard, too fast. After you are a month or two in then you can really hit it hard. Don't get me wrong, you do need to push but back off when you get any pain rather than trying to push through it. Muscle exhaustion and lactic acid buildup burning sensation is not the sort of pain I mean
. Try exrx.net for their great exercise directory which give advice and animated gifs for correct form.
Record your diet and post it up here after, say, a week and people can help steer you in a better direction if needed.
Set reasonible goals. Without a goal then what have you got to work towards.
RB
will do.
I just like to draw up a plan and stick to it.. that way I can track how exactly how I am doing. Otherwise I worry that I have gone off track. That's my reason for asking for the ratios 
