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Peter, don't worry about making a fool of yourself. It's all part of the learning process, and this is probably a good place to find out what to look for as there's plenty of diptera specialists to help.

I started much the same as you have, with little knowledge and floundering to find my way. Slowly but surely you learn where to look, and if possible to try to use keys.

Another good way to hone your eye is to keep looking in the different families in the gallery here.

Keep plodding on, you will get better in a few years time! :D From one who knows about that.