Ok, first of all you need to understand what the view frustum is. The view frustum is a volume of 3D space that will contain vertex data that will later be rendered to the screen.
Simply put, the near plane is the closest point that models can be 'seen', the far plane is the furthest point that models can be 'seen' by the camera.
This page should give you a basic idea what this is (check out the image!).
Next, as you're unsure of what a identity matrix actually is, I'm guessing you don't know about matrices.
The best example I can give without going into specifics is that the identity matrix it the transformation that is applied to the vertices that will apply no translation or rotation (i.e. no change).
If you intend to get into 3D graphics programming you're going to need to learn vector and matrix mathematics.
A book I recommend for this is: "3D math primer for graphics and game development" by Fletcher Dunn and Ian Parberry..
I'd also have a look for some 'beginning' books in whatever graphical API you're using.
Also, I'd check out a lot of the free tutorials you'd be able to find through your favourite search engine.
As one last thing, check out the beginnners forums at gamedev.net for games and graphical specific help.
As far as getting the hang of 3D graphics, it can …