Docbook Website Stylesheet 1.8 + ME = UUGGHHH

Hello all,

I am currently fumbling my way through the output customization from the
Docbook Website DTD 2.4. But to no avail.

I've produced valid "default" XHTML output from the examples provided. 
However, i am unable to figure out where i need to be looking to customize 
the layout. For instance, i really like the simple yet effective layout of 
the following site:

http://www.netfilter.org/

I was looking at doing something similiar in layout to this. This site 
explains that they utilize a customized set of xsl's to achieve the layout. 
Admittedly, the xsl stylesheets are still a bit cryptic for me.

Can someone point me in the right direction?! ;)
Thanks very much for your time.