[Asterisk-Users] Newie Questions

[Matthew T. O'Connor]

Hello, I'm new to asterisk.  My company is opening a new office and I'm 
seriously considering using Asterisk for the phone system.

A couple of questions:

How does Asterisk compete with the Avaya IP Office or the Nortel BCM 
systems?

I have purchased a Polycom 500 phone but I'm having trouble getting it 
setup and talking to Asterisk.  Is there somewhere that has SIP phone 
setup A-Z for beginners?  All the documentation I have seen assumes you 
know more than I know at this point. 

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions, but that will do for now.

Thanks,

Matt