I want to buy a simple "point and shoot" style camera...?

I think best the camera in your price range is the Canon Powershot A560. It costs $135 at B&H and You can use the rest of your budget to buy a decent memory card.

Go here and read an extensive review:

Canon A560: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/a560.html

Check the sample images, too.

If you want to save a little, check for the A550:

A550 review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/a550.html

I see no reason not to go the extra money for the A560, though. It has the newer Digic III image processor which is a little faster and adds Face Detection. You gain one stop in ISO (1600 vs. 800), it is a little faster in continuous mode and the LCD is 2.5" instead of 2".

You will need to add a memory card and I suggest the Sandisk or Lexar brand in any speed. You will spend from about $20 for a 512 KB card, which is perfectly adequate, to about $40 for a Sandisk Ultra II, which is as good as you'd ever want for this or many other cameras.

My brother has the A540 and my mother-in-law has the A530 - on my recommendation - and neither one has stopped speaking to me yet. These are the models that were replaced by the A550 and A560.

If you can go up to the $200 mark, look into the A570-IS ($170), which looks like a really nice camera. It adds image stabilization which is a real help for getting sharper pictures. The camera and card and shipping will run you about $200 at B&H.

Canon A570-IS: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/a570.html

I still have a 35mm camera. I use it once a year or so. It takes excellent quality photos. The problem is it takes a long time to get the photos developed as now they have to be sent out. Many digital cameras have the high quality that a 35mm has but many do not. My digital is convenient but the 35mm's photos are way better. It's all in how much you want to spend and if you know how to use the camera.

almost all of the entry level cameras of major brands do that

Casio Z75 or Z1050 is a great choice, nice and thin, lightweight, shoots photos and video with sound. Easy to use controls and a 2.5" screen to view.

www.besybuy.com
www.samys.com (my favorite)
ww.costco.com
Recommend a Scandisk memory card, about 2GB.
Check you Sunday paper for ad sales or coupons.

samsung 630
canon a570

You've got some good suggestions but none of them explicit enough.

I was in the same position as you. I researched for a year and finally got the best camera ANYONE could use at about $115.

It was a CANON A 430

I've taken 100 pictures and EVERYONE is perfect ! People ask me "how do you make such great photos?"

I'm embarrasses. I don't do anything but point and click. Canon does the rest.

When I take a dozen or so I just plug the camera into the computer and put the pictures on my folder.

I bought 2 LITHIUM double A batteries ($5 per pair at the dicount store) and they have lasted 6 months already. But it is better to buy rechargeable and a charger).

The A430 takes an GENERIC memory card (Fuji does NOT).

I got a 1 Gig card which will jold hundreds of pictures. Cost $20

The A430 has a greatr 4x optical zoom so you can take head and shoulders (thats the secret) and not photos with all sorts of doors and windows and clothes lines showing. Head and shoulders does it !

You can do closeups and self timing and LCD screen if it is not too bright or eyepeice if it is too bright to see the screen.

I got mine at STAPLES but wherever you go just say that you can get the camera for $115 and ask them to match that price or you will go elsewhere..

Canon A570 IS. The IS stands for image stabilization, which will help to eliminate blurry photos. 7 mp, 4x zoom too. Price well under $200.

Avoid Sony, they have serious quality control issues.

Canon offers an extensive line of P&S style cameras. Just visit canonusa.com for a complete listing. You can also read reviews of various cameras at steves-digicams.com and dpreview.com.

Try the over the counter pre -loaded cameras. Like Kodak on something.
They are easy to use and have good pictures.