I have a Meade DS-114 on an EQ mount. DS, as in "Department Store". It's crap, but it did get me interested enough to buy the big dob. The "auto goto" never worked right, and now the battery pack is busted. The eq mount doesn't have any manual gears, and the focuser is the older .965" size, so the 'scope is essentially useless. I suppose if if I bought another mount for it it would still be usable. I do have a nice eyepice or two for it, and a set of filters.
Anyway, I'm with you: too cold to drag the big 'scope out to the back yard tonight, so I've been using my big bino's, too.
Beautiful, clear views from Indiana.
I'd start with sci.astro.amateur. That group seems to have enough normal helpful people with experience, in amongst the trolls.