I've actually already reached that point (that I will abandon Soft$wim.)
And it's only been 2 months. At least I found this forum before going through an entire $eason.

Mainly right now I'm just reading and trying to take notes so I can ask intelligently-prepared questions rather than broad open-ended "How do I do it" questions.

In my line of work (Architecture & Engineering) we have a saying about novices: "He doesn't even know what he doesn't know yet."
It's not meant to be an insult, it's just that people like that need someone watching over their shoulder for a while.
That's where I'm at as a pool owner.

As best as I can tell (correct me if I'm wrong) the first thing I need to do next Spring is see what my fill water base line is that comes out of my garden hose.
A total drain and refill doesn't spook me a bit next Spring, I'm open to that.

Next Spring, when I drain/refill and change out the filter sand, I will be starting from square one as a chlorine pool.
I don't have the test kit that is ubiquitously recommended yet, but I assume that testing my garden hose fill water is first?

I know the water will turn burgundy color with chlorine, and I haven't resolved that one yet in my head.