Installing E17 is simple in siduction. It is just apt-get install e17
Finding some sane setup is really difficult, because you have to limit the 'bling' of the desktop manager to get not distracted or bury essential panels under windows, or switch the desktops unintentionally.
You also have to know the applications you need to get a complete desktop. E17 does not care for KDE or GNOME preloaded libraries, but nevertheless is able to get them 'ready in the background'.