>Oi - have just tried installing ActiveVFP, and right out of the starting gate get errors. Is it worth pursuing this thing? If so, has anyone any advice for a klutz?

If you can, go with the west-wind tool set. It gives you sources, some are free, sometimes you have to pay (for the more server sided tools).
Do yourself a favor, READ his code: you will learn how to maintainably code in vfp, if you have not read basic vfp books like 1001 or Fundamentals.
Sometmes it is cheaper to pay a bit (I think Ricks prices are very reasonable for the quality he provides)