This is a pretty good look at some of the do nots by people who make a living from bees.
http:// http://www.beesource.com/for...-in-beekeeping
A couple of things I can add to a do list are always use smoke. Smoke the entrances before you open the hive and smoke the bees as you open it. Use the smoke again before closing it to help drive the bees down from the top so they don't get squished. Only go play with them in nice weather and not before a storm, bees can sense bad weather and get grumpy about it. Also mid day is usually the best time to work a hive when all the older, meaner bees are busy away from the hive. Read all you can about bee diseases and mites some days it seems like everything is out to get them. And make sure to feed them in the spring and fall if they are light and make sure to give them enough room to make honey in the summer.
And enjoy them and have fun and good luck.