The nice thing about digital cameras is just that, they are digital. Be using the techniques discribed above shoot lots and lots of pictures. I mean lots. Then just delete the ones you don't like (that is the secrect of the digital slr users and most professionals). By shooting lots of pics and keeping notes you will get a feel of what you can and can not do. Just because you have a point and shoot dosen't mean you can't take awesome pics.
Here is pic taken with our Canon A60 before gettin my DSLR.
Keep on shooting,
Dave-