Open edX is a large complex system.  We've tried to simplify the installation by providing a small number of options, prepackaged to varying degrees.  All of them require some foundational skills:

• Comfort with your chosen operating system
• Using the command line to perform tasks
• Some ability to diagnose and solve problems with system software

The installation options are:

• Devstack: a Vagrant installation that is useful if you want to modify the Open edX code.
• Fullstack: a Vagrant installation that mimics a production environment.
• Native: Automated installation on an Ubuntu machine of your own.
• Manual: you are on your own, using our scripts as a guide.

(Notes, stuff to cover)

• Skills you will need:
  
  • command-line
• Technologies involved
  • Ubuntu
  • Vagrant
  • Virtualbox
  • Python
  • Django
• What about windows?

More details:

• Debugging Devstack
• Running Fullstack
• Native Open edX Ubuntu 12.04 64 bit Installation