Reynante Martinez has published 4 very impressive detailed particle tutorials that cover if not everything you need to know about particle system. From getting start with basic parameters for both hair and emitter, into creating advance effect like fire and disintegration of mesh object. He also gave the blend files!
Here are the articles
- Getting Started with Blender’s Particle System
- Getting Started with Blender’s Particle System- A Sequel
- Advanced Effects using Blender Particle System
- Advanced Effects using Blender Particle System: A Sequel
