After all that if you still want to setup a classic server I would use this installer if you know nothing, it works well, it comes with cavedudes db which is good but missing loot.
Cavedude installer:
http://eqemulator.net/forums/showthread.php?t=18934
I would say its a good way to familiarize yourself with the EMU. Before using this installer make sure to go to the wiki and setup your perl and mysql (underwindows 6.2 server) do not source your database tho as cavedudes installer sources his database.
Wiki:
http://www.eqemulator.net/wiki/wikka.php?wakka=HomePage
once you get an unserstanding you should be able to source your own database. As for books to buy from my limited experience I would say get a Mysql book, as it seems to be the way to make all the small mods (ie change mobs, items, spells, spawns, zone points).
Any other questions post back ))) and gluck.
P. S. I am in the process of setting up a semi classic server at the moment but I am probably still have over a month of tweeking / debuggng. I am hoping to have it up in about 2 weeks for testing then down again for 2-3 weeksish for final mods. It is going to be expansions up to Velious except there will be progression quests to enter some velious/kunark zones above the orgional expansion, and some of these zones will have some additional 1 group mobs with additonal loots(not 300hp gear, basically a set of class specific armour for each class)
Welll
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