I'm usually happy to help people with questions (as is the case with most people here) but what you're asking is basic knowledge. If you've read anything you'd know the answer to most, if not all, of your questions. I mean honestly, "any important things to install...?"? Just read a bit and you'll get all your answers. The forums are full of information, and the stickies you were pointed to are there for a reason.
For the record, the boot method (which I'm gonna guess refers to DVD vs. USB) that's better is completely situational.
Oh, and you're gonna run into a problem with MPT. It's well known and there are a number of known solutions.