Starting with EQEmu now?

[Ibix]

So.... um... is there any way for someone completely new to this EQEmu scene to start playing? Like... I have my old Classic (Norrath + Velious + Kunark) CD's... I also have EQ Platinum plus some of the other late expansions, but anyway, I'd actually be thrilled just to play the old Classic stuff... The other stuff is take it or leave it for me right now. If I installed and just did not patch, I'm assuming I'd not be able to connect to the EQEmu servers? And if I patch all the way to current, I KNOW I won't be able to... So, is there some way for me to get started seeing what you guys have done?