You guys should try it. Get the LazyNewbPack, that is a windows bundle which comes with a few utils, tilesets etc. Check out the wiki (http://dwarffortresswiki.org/), it's the best website on the internet. If you're still stuck, visit the df subreddit and ask for help, the people there are pretty awesome (http://www.reddit.com/r/dwarffortress).

It takes some getting into, but once you're in, you're in.