Starting cloth diapers?

Thing is --- I know NOTHING about them. Do they have liners/inserts, or does the baby just use the bathroom in the diaper itself? What about washing them? How many should I get for starters if I'd like to do laundry once a week? What are some good brands? Pretty much just educate a first-time cloth diaper user :P My son is in size 4's, and the other he gets, the more disposable diapers seem to irritate his skin.