Leveling the Playing Field

So I tore down my swimming pool. No, it wasn't a rage filled event, if that's what you were thinking based on previous posts. Just tired of spending much more time maintaining the pool than swimming in it. So it's done. All gone. Hiss-toh-ree. What I would like to do now is to build a deck. I have to design one first. Any words of wisdom on building a deck? Don't everyone post at once, I might get overwhelmed. (That would be sarcasm)