Chins ups are when palms are facing you. Pull ups are when palms are facing away from you. With chin ups you get more bicep recruitment and this makes them a little easier than pullups.

You can use resistance bands and do band-assisted pullups in lieu of the assisted pullup machine.

StrongLifts guy also has some various tips http://stronglifts.com/10-ways-to-get-stronger-at-pull-ups-fast/

If you go to Scooby's Workshop (Google it), he has an exercise called "Walk the Plank" which is meant to be a way of gearing up to do pull-ups. I haven't tried it as I'm using the assisted pull-up machine, but from the description it seems a pretty reasonable exercise and would fit your criteria.

Good thread here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/646798-the-cornerstone-of-upper-body-strength-the-pullup?

Do negatives. And then do weighted negatives. A neutral grip is how I first was able to pull up....you might try it and see if its any easier for you. There's also a book- 7 weeks to 50 pull ups that has good advice. Anything you can do to build your lats will help.

You can buy a pull up assembly for a doorway for under 30 bucks. Then you can practice at home with a chair for assistance.

http://www.ehow.com/video_2351694_doing-assist-pull-up-exercise.html

http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/04/25/do-a-pull-up/

Thanks everyone! ) I'm excited to get started! I have goals! I WILL meet them!

Not sure what "bump" means???

It means 'bring up my post' so it shows as active in the forum feed. But the others bumping it are either doing It so they can mark the thread for their reference or so one of their friends who would have an answer sees it.