Ok. I'd like to help with the ELKS website, and with the 
documentation.

But my main interest is to help with development of the ELKS
code.

I have virtually no experience with the Linux development
environment, but I do have experience in cross-development
for embedded microprocessor systems (in DOS and Win32
environments)

I am trying to follow the FAQ in setting up the environment
so that I can compile the ELKS kernel, but have almost
immediately run into a problem.

The FAQ is telling me to install the Dev86 package in the
root (/) directory. I don't want to do this, and I see no 
reason that I should have to.

I would much rather do all of my cross development in
my home directory, with my standard user privileges, not
root privileges. I feel this would be much safer, especially
since I already have some tools installed that have the same
name as the Dev86 tools. I don't know where they came from,
and I'd rather not clobber them.

Is it possible to set up everything in ~/? If so, how
is it done? What reasons are there for me NOT to do it that 
way? If I can't set up everything in ~/, please explain why?

I will gladly update the ELKS FAQ with any answers you can 
give me.

Respectfully,
Phil