I'm very excited to get back into this game, though I think I better take the plunge and get myself a USB gamepad, as the mouse feels a little silly when you're madly dragging up to get an enemy ship into view.
I would also like to mention that the FreeSpaceOpen Installer that automatically adds all the new update files (http://www.fsoinstaller.com/) doesn't seem to do the Media VPS folder (advanced graphics and effects) properly -- but you can find it here, with instructions for installation: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,58230.0.html
It's a mod, so you have to initiate it from the FreespaceOpen launcher. All of this is documented in the Read Me's, so it's not as scary as you might be thinking. It's worth it in the end, because it makes Freespace 2 look fantastic!