I sent those same links to a friend and discovered they didn't go where I wanted them to go ... Sorry about that.

I ended up getting a Manfrotto skytrack system to hang 3 lights, and the lights are Novatron 600 w/s (2 of those) and Impact 300 w/s (one back light, one hair light). I will be a bit handicapped by an 8 foot ceiling but would have the same issues whether I was pushing lights up on a stand or hanging them down from the ceiling. I am now in the market for good muslin backdrops ... anyone got any ideas? I'm going to try and sponge paint some, as described on some DIY sites.

I have MUCH to learn, both pre and post production. I'll probably be hanging out on this site more often. Thanks.
Nancy