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I have to disagree with echo - rigging is not easy if you have no clue of the basics of Blender to begin with. And I'll somewhat agree with Khett - start with the Oblivion modeling classes (Vince's word document downloads) to understand what Blender is and how to get around. Once you start and learn static objects, then move on to armor/wearable objects. It will be a long learning process. Btw, isn't that my teddybear?

There's a quick and dirty tut here that will show you how to import your nif into blender, do what needs to be done to get it basically working, and export it back to a usable nif. It's the last file in the list: Tutorial_Import_Export_Armor. Another tut that really helped me understand more how work with body/armor/clothing meshes was the "Exnemizing Meshes" tutorial at TESEyeCandy. You aren't converting armors, but the parenting/rigging/weighting/etc is exactly the same process, so you'll be able to just skip the part about refitting the stuff to the body and jump in somewhere in the middle of Part 3 of the tutorial. Can't link here, because potentially borderline NSFW, but you'll find it easy enough if you search. If you enjoy doing this kind of work and want to get more into it, this tut will be the one that makes the light bulb go on. This is all after having done Vince's modeling class intro here at TESA, though. Start there if the import/export tut gives you trouble and you want to take a step back.

Theres two way of doing that. The easy way, and the right way. Easy way: Select Mirror under Symmetry, and move the dummy until you get the desired result. Right way: Delete the Symmetry modifier. You need to modify the mesh center pivot. Go to Hierarchy tab (just right of the Modify tab), activate Affect Pivot Only, and reposition your objects pivot where you want it. When done, unselect Affect Pivot Only. Now go to the Utilities tab (hammer), and select Reset XForm and apply. Reapply Symmetry modifier. Optional Advanced way: Warning, this technique will only work if your model is perfectly aligned with one of the axis. Also inside polys/faces are not unnecessary so delete them. Do the Right way but do not use the Symmetry modifier. Instead use the Mirror button in the main Toolbar. Choose your axis. No clone will only mirror your mesh. Copy will make a mirror copy, duh. Now the interesting ones. Instance and Reference will make a mirror copy that will change as you modify the original. But in order to attach one to the other when you're done modeling, you need to re-convert both to polys (or meshes). Alway Reset XForm when done. Hope this helps, sorry if I made your 3dsmax life more complicated.

Its actually very easy to do. It doesn't require any manipulation of the models at all. I don't know of a current tutorial to explain it, but probably someone does.