Yeah mod installing has always been so problematic to me unfortunately. Risugami's mod looks really cool though. I would just prefer if I could open it up in INVedit and change a value to get it to work. :(
I know just the thing for you then: MCPatcher.
You're probably gonna be like, "Why? That's to install HD Textures!"
Yes, and no. It can also be used to install mods. Just click the + icon, select the directory the the mod's .zip file, select classes to add to minecraft.jar, and viola.
[If you wanted a cape, I recommend using
this mod as it won't conflict with anything else.]