Taking photos

I used to use a Canon standard SLR a few years back (until I switched to compact digital for conveinience) so understand the basics of SLRs, however I have just purchased the Sony A200 (bargain at clearance centre, hence no demo) and found instructions a bit vague to understand, maybe I have been away from SLRs too long.
I thought that in addition to viewfinder maybe there was to take pics via LCD screen as with compact digital cameras but it seems not! all I get is display of information, also wondered why they supply a viewfinder cover? my point being that if you cover up the viewfinder how do you frame the subject you wish to photograph?
Can someone please enlighten me as I am not sure if this is what DSLRs are supposed to do or if mine is faulty, i have tried to find reviews etc without luck but did see a video review from ? what digital camera which helped but did not explain my problem.

Some new DSLRs do have live view, whereby the image can be framed using the LCD...the A200 however does not have such a function. To be honest, it s not something I personally expect in an SLR: it seems a bit incontiguous with the Single Lens Reflex aspect of photography, but if that IS something you find necessary--Sony's A350 does have it.
The cover for the viewfinder is there for a couple of reasons, as said before, it helps to protect the viewfinder; but more importantly it is used alongside a tripod (when the image has been framed and the eye is no longer covering the viewfinder)...by using the cover, no excess light can enter the system from behind and mess with the exposure.

live view seems like a good idea when you're taking pictures at unusual angles, over your head, at hip level, low level on a tripod. however, a DSLR with a telephoto lens requires a better handhold, one on the lens, the other on the camera. just don't see the usefulness of live view in that situation. something to consider.