I have NEVER seen such a poorly introduced system. EVERY article that I read assumes that I already have some Bitcoins and I want to buy something. Great, but how do I initially set up the Bitcoin account with some "physical" money? Never addressed in articles that I have read. For example, I have $1000US that I want to convert into Bitcoin so that I can buy something using Bitcoins. HOW?

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Thats true almost nobody starts from that where to buy bitcoins but answer is very simple. Exchanges.
Locate one within your country, choose reputable one, then you deposit $ on exchange and exchange it for bitcoins. Then youy send bitcoins from exchange to your wallet software one/online one or mobile one or hardware one

there a lot of different wallets.