hi Chris!
i can feel you man!
it took me about 3 days to finally manage to open it in my laptop...problems with java!
and i'm bad when i start with new programs too...!!
in vero layout guide section mark posted a link with his templates for v2..
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=81887366826976817646Miro helped me with v3 that i use (thanks man!!) cause i was straggling to make any layout.
if he doesn't have a problem i could sent you the template he starts with!
or of coarse he could sent it too!!!