Final Cut Express v3.5 HD - Setup/Config. Tips

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some assistance regarding the setup of Final Cut Express HD v3.5. on my system I have downloaded the Apple "on-line" FCE documentation, but I thought I would try gaining some "real-life" insight about installing and cofiguring FCE from this discussion board, as I'm new to Final Cut Express. I have used other NLEs (Pinnacle, Avid, etc.) so I'm familiar with a few editors, in general.
My system is: iMac 2.8 Ghz Extreme with 4GB memory and a 500GB internal disk. I have (1) LaCie 250GB External drive via 1394 Firewire (my video ingest drive) and (1) Western Digital 500GB USB External Disk used for content (video, images, graphics, Digital Juice, etc.). Lastly, I have an old MovieBox Deluxe (Video Capture/Convertor) via 1394 port. I doubt it will work with the iMac, as it is proprietary Avid/Pinnacle hardware.
I was going to use my 500GB external drive as my "scratch" drive and leave everything else alone for now. The iMac will be a standalone video editing system...no other software loaded on it, except what comes loaded as the standard (OS X 10.4.10, iLife, Safari, etc.)
My hope is to leave the internal drive (loaded with FCE) alone. Should I save my FCE projects to the internal drive? or save to an external?
Is this how I should setup the drives, etc.? Or do something different?
I really appreciate your advice and help, as I'm a "newby" to the discussions boards. I finally got tired of doing everything with a WinTel box. I saw the light!
Thanks for your assistance!
WBMP

Hi Everyone!
Regarding setup and config of FCE, I've been reading several discussions about scratch drives. While I plan to use one of my external drives as the scratch drive and the other as my video ingest drive, should I SAVE my projects to the internal 300GB drive which FCE resides? or should I SAVE projects to a different drive?
I'm trying my best to setup my iMac so FCE and the drive it resides on is the LEAST disturbed (with other content or files) to prevent fragmentation. So my media content (i.e. Digital Juice) is on a seperate drive, video ingest, yet, on another seperate drive, etc., etc. Without beating the horse, what is the BEST way to setup my iMac? I guess I've been reading too many horror-stories about scratch drives, conflicts, etc.
After reading several messges, I notice many discussions about still photo images (with/without transitions) becoming "jittery" upon render completion in FCE and FCP/Studio? Are still images a problem for FCE 3.5? or are these sporadic, based on a mac users configuration and what is being accomplished?
Lastly, what are the necessary utilities (convertors, etc.) to purchase in support of editing with FCE? I see lots of utilities recommended for various things and I want to make sure I get the best utilities.
Thanks!
WBMP

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