I'd appreciate some advice on how to actually USE cpuminer, (or is there something else I can use?), also, advice on what's the simplest and best pool to join...I'm a brand new dogecoin miner (potential) and am still learning how it works...
You can't mine meaningful with a PC/server. Your CPU or GPU won't give you a good hash rate on scrypt and you will never exceed the payout threshold on any pool or find a block mining solo.
If you are only here because you want to learn about mining, you can get cpuminer up and running on the testnet like I described here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/litecoinmining/comments/mtjbpb/solo_merged_mining_doge_and_ltc_local_cpu_and_asic/