I had this great idea to start baking sourdough bread.  I had read about San Fransisco having the best sourdough so I went online to order one.  Well if you all know how I am, I ordered 4 different sourdough starters to try to see which sourdough had the best flavor.  For those of you who don't know what sourdough starters are then click HERE
Basically it uses natural yeast..  The thing about sourdough starters are they are like PETS.  You have to feed them often while you are growing them.  Sounds easy?  Feed the starter 3 times a day in the beginning days. flour and bottled water.  Ok reach back in your memory and recall how to make paper mache.... flour and ohhhh ya water.  I start feeding all four starters.  When you feed the starter you take out a cup of starter and feed it a cup, take out, feed, take out, feed, take out, feed.  I started to feel like that old duncan donuts commercial..time to feed the starters.... and then
and then........ I found out some crucial information..........................................
Lets say you have a starter from San Fransisco, and I did.  If you have that starter the natural cultures of yeast in Columbus Ga will take over the yeast from San Fransisco.  AHHHHHHHHHH I had been feeding starters to the point the whole house smelled SOUR!  I threw up my hands and now I have one starter.  Yes, I do feed it because it is alive.  The cool thing about sourdough starters is that you can SHARE them with your friends (or enemies)   So I am warning my friends in advance that if a starter just happens to come to your doorstep or in the mail YOU HAVE TO FEED IT.  Millions of yeast depend on you.  Here are my tips to keeping your sourdough pet.  DISCLAIMER: I don't have a doctorate in Breadmaking this is what I know from observations.
Feed your starter.  I like to make it more like a really thick pancake batter.
Always use plastic no metal.
Always use bottle water because tap will kill your pet.
If you are not actively using your starter feed it once a week (store in fridge)
When you DO want to use it feed it twice a day for 2 days then use. (store on countertop) someplace warm.
ALways take out the same portion you are putting in.  I am keeping about 2 cups.  I take out a half cup or so then feed a half cup or so.
I mix water and flour together to get a thick pancake dough consistency then add it back.
I have found the thicker the starter and the more often I feed it the more sour it is.
I have also found that letting the dough have a long proofing time in the fridge makes it more sour. 
I highly recommend this method of making sourdough bread.

I have to admit I have made some KILLER sourdough bread!  I highly recommend having a starter!