Appletalk support

I am having a rather difficult time on the web finding instructions on how to add AppleTalk support.  I have a mixed MAC/Windows environment, and I'm running samba for the Windows machines.

I can find detailed documentation on getting netatalk running, but before I can do that I have to compile the kernel with AppleTalk support.  I can't find much on how to do that.  Everything is pointing me to recompiling the kernel, there seems to be a module I can use but I haven't found it. 

I have never recompiled a kernel before, and I'm not really sure what that means.  Ideally, I would like to get netatalk working as quickly as possible.  If this means I have to get "dirty with the kerny" then I'll have to.  Are there any links that you guys can suggest that are geared towards beginners.  I've got

http://www.europe.redhat.com/documentation/HOWTO/Kernel-HOWTO-2.php3

open right now, and I'm coming across others.  But, a good kick in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
B