Bicycle Mechanics - Novice Builder

I've recently purchased an Ellsworth Truth frame and want to build it up, but alas, I'm a virgin. I have two questions:
1. Is anyone aware of a site that goes through the process for a first timer?
2. What are the contrasting characteristics of top swing and bottom swing front deraillers?

Thanks very much.

- http://www.parktool.com/repair/ is a good start.

- sheldonbrown.com also has a lot of good information about differeing aspects of bicycles.

- and of course, the search function here at bikeforums is a huge resource.

Everyone's mechanical abilities differ so I won't say building up a bike from scratch is easy or hard. If you know your way around a few basic tools and confident in other basic repair type things then you shouldn't have much issues.

I have two questions:
1. Is anyone aware of a site that goes through the process for a first timer?
2. What are the contrasting characteristics of top swing and bottom swing front deraillers?

Park Tool has a very good website for telling you the how to's for installing each individual component for your bike. The biggest problem that I think you are likely to have is figuring out what's compatable and what's not. There's no short, sure primer for that.

Top and bottom swing front derailleurs are a good example. Functionally, I think they are the same. The biggest difference that I can see is where the mounting clamp is located. Bottom swing derailleurs have the clamp up high and top swing derailleurs have the clamp hidden away near the bottom bracket. Mounting may or may not be an issue. Often one or the other won't work on a particular frame because other stuff, like water bottle mounts, are in the way. You're sure bet is to use what was there before.

the included installation directions for the parts you buy are good too :) Assuming you're buying new parts.