Oh wii is simple. You don't even need an external drive for games just DVDR (Although I'd recommend one for faster load times and the few dual layer games; Metroid Other M, Smash Bros Brawl)

All you need is an SD Card and about ten minutes.

It says you need a specific game but just use Letterbomb for firmware 4.3 or bannerbomb if you're on 4.2. It's mentioned in the tut anyway. Wi-Fi connection is required for 4.3 mod installation but I doubt that's a problem. Also online games work 100%

The tut might, depending on your technical know-how, seem complicated but it's so easy I've seen twelve year olds do it.

Finally just some program recommendations:

Multi Mod Manager for Wad installation. Wads are program installs for apps, virtual console games, virtual console injects, etc

Neo Gamma For booting Wii and GC 'backups' from DVDR

Wii64 For fairly compatible N64 emulation (Don't count on RareWare games working)

WiiSX For .. not bad PSX emulation. Chrono Cross, FF7 work fine.

RawkSD If you play Rockband/Guitar Hero and want custom songs

GC Backup Launcher Only if Neogamma gives you trouble with GC games

WiiMC for a really cool Media Player

USB Loader GX for loading games from a Flash or HD

Wii Backup Manager For creating a WBFS partion on your HD if you go that route

The many fullspeed NES, Snes, Genesis, etc, etc emulators I don't use these because of my PS3 but they are flawless

Everything else like Priiloader, DVDR enabling, NAND backup and ios (google it) will install along with Letterbomb.

Wiiso.com used to be great for getting games but since the Megaupload bullshit you're better off torrenting.

The Wii scene is huge so just google around once the softmod is installed