I don't know how to use Macs very well but can do the basics, the tutorials give guidelines but you dont need to follow them exactly just get the options which are simliar no matter what software you use... I did my setup all in Linux.
Know how to use IRC and FTP... I can get away with just using firefox/opera and commandlines because I know how to use them...
If you don't, its a simple search with those keywords.
For flashing using http, only required a web browser and a bit of networking....
I hate burning CDs...
If you can't find a mac IRC client, I will set up a temp IRC java client... but I'm sure there are some out there.