| Let me explain the dots and the patterns. The black dots are the intervals of the scale you choose. The red dots are the root and octave. The number below the strings tells you what fret position the pattern is played.
Each scale is shown in five different positions. So if you have a scale...say C blues scale, the pattern doesn't always start with C. In some positions the pattern starts with another interval of the scale.
In other words, each position has all the notes of that scale in that position. Plus, it is good to know all the different places on the fretboard you can play the scale you choose.
If you buy the "Scales and Modes" book by Manus and Hall, you will see exactly the same thing, dots on frets and strings in five positions. However, the book also has the scale in standard notation and tab. It gives you the "formula" for each scale, both in intervals and in whole and half step pattern. It aslo gives an actual riff for each scale and tells you what chords are used with the scale.
It is always a good idea to have a teacher orient you, but having the Hall and Manus book is an excellent reference as well. The Active Bass.com web site is useful too, if you understand what they are doing. Trouble is, you can't always have a computer handy, but the book is portable.
I hope have I explained the dots. If you have any further questions, I will try to answer or some one else here will be able to help you, I am certain.
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"Jazz sounds like a very good blues band that fell down a flight of stairs."
Michael Buble, Canadian standards singer | 
