New to Java

Hi:

I've done a bit if coding in Java. I've even successfully gotten packages 'glued' together and made them work.
I created an Internet based remote file back up system in Java which works pretty well.

However, I still don't have any real idea how to package Java applications together. I'm anticipating learing ANT but so far, I don't really understand what the're talking about.
Then there's the whole 'class path' mystery which I can't seem to get ahold of.
I bought the WROX book J2EE Design & Development which has a real nice sample application.
I downloaded it and tried to open it in NetBeans. No cigar. I finally figured out that the author had generated a Build.xml file in ANT. I directed NetBeans to that and it extracted the project. I can see the code now but I still can't compile it.

The build button is greyed out. Also, a lot of the classes, which are in the root folder (uncompiled though) show up as an error in NetBeans: 'resource not recognized' or something like that.

The download is available free at www.wrox.com.

I'm finding it impossible to find documentation specifically on this subject.
I hate doing things harfarsed. How can I get my arms around this?