When you shoot in low light conditions you can do a few things. Fundamentally you need to let more light into the camera so it can pick up all the details. This can be done by
a) Increasing the "ISO" setting - but increase it too much (usually over 800) and you end up with a noisy image (specs all over the picture), this won't let more light in, it merely increases the camera's sensitivity to light.
b) Decrease the shutter speed - have it open for 1 or 2 seconds. The drawback here is that any movement is blurred in the image. You will need a tripod usually, although with image stabilisation you might get away with having a shutter open for 0.25 seconds with minimal blurring.
c) Increase the aperture (a smaller "f" number) - but this will reduce the "depth of view", basically less stuff is in sharp focus. SLRs only.
d) Light up the area! Use a floodlight. Most people don't have this facility though 
e) Get a remote flash and use it to create some arty shots by bouncing the light off objects or from the side. Again, this is an expensive solution and SLRs only.
If you don't want to get snowed in with information, what you need to do is get your camera on a solid foundation (tripod, wall, floor) and set the shutter speed to as slow as it'll go - or whatever the camera will let you do - you may only have the option to turn the flash off, and the camera does the rest. You will be better off using the timer so you don't upset the camera as you press the shutter button.
When you get the desired lighting you may then need to adjust the colours on your computer back at home, unless you can adjust the "white balance" on your camera itself. That's another story......
Or turn the auto-setting dial to 'low-light shot'
My camera knows more about photography than me.
I've been playing with a cheap little portrait lens that I picked up a few weeks ago - loving the lack of focal depth on that (all on auto still).
Also have a fish-eye converter like wot Horney has - great fun little thing that is.
