I know this thread is a month old, but perhaps the next beginner will read this thread, so.....

Join a club first.

Then, you will meet your club instructors who might already have some trainers and buddy box set-ups. I'd recommend the newcomer not buy anything until you get the "blessings" of an experienced mentor. Use what they recommend and are comfortable with.

The beginner will likely save plenty of ca$h which could have gone into a nice computer radio or a better-suited airframe.

Most beginners throw money at the hobby (out of their enthusiasm) then find themselves a few months later trying to sell some (or all) of the stuff they just bought so they can fund those things they should have bought in the first place! You'll probably find that someone will be selling a Nextar, Avistar, or similar trainer as they progress. Why spend two or three hundred (or more with field gear, etc.) when you might buy a fella's complete set-up for $150 or less!!!

In response to your initial question, I guess I'm the exception to some unwritten "rules" ...I have always found 4 stroke motors more desirable to run: Low-end needle adjustments are easy; They sound like an airplane should, to me; Don't require frequent adjustments, Etc. However I strongly urge people to tune them using a tach since it is much harder to drop a few hundred RPMs "by ear" with a 4S versus a 2S.

Don't get bogged down in the minutia of terminology (nitro vs glow, etc.) that'll all come to you with exposure.

Good luck and have fun...but be safe!