pretty much what Lobo said, just grab the zip open and run!! only thing to watch for is addons!  windoze will add a folder to "users/etc" (Linux mac will do it diff) but addons will go in there UNLESS you change it [user preffs/files]

for making props~clothing there is NO need to use any sort of script (there handy if you make a scene and want to move it for rendering)

as for challenges I would be interested but my time is  both limited and mixed up at the mo' so will join in as an when I can