First thing you should do is play make believe. Do you know how the market works? Market is all over the place at the moment but with the restructure of the "bail out" being agreed things could be a little brighter on Monday even though down slightly today but thats expected.
Yes you can make money on shares, lots.....but of course its a risk and yes knowing what you are doing or having some experience is useful. Oil companies can be profitable but you have to look at where they are too many world events can have an inpact on an oil companies price and alot of them drill in countries a little unstable or have neighbours that are.