I'll look and see what I can find on Simandl and Rabbath..both are names I would never have come up with on my own. Thanks!

I think I'll probably try starting out with pencil markings on the side of the fretboard. They'll be visible enough and I'm a little bit leery of adding anything with edges that might aggravate my hand by rubbing..I think I will probably have enough hand trauma with just the fretting.
If that doesn't work for me, would the colored masking tape for painting hold on well enough to use? I would really like to avoid anything that might leave a gummy mess when I get rid of it.

I've got an adequate ear which ought to help me bungle through until I get my feet under me. I have a regular e/a bass and have messed with it a little so the thing won't be completely foreign to me. I've never played with an upright at all.
My weak spots are that my left arm is a little bit wimpy (recent ulnar nerve surgery) and I'm not sure how to hold that arm/hand/shoulder to give it the least stress..and I would like to see clear picture/video of how my right fingers should work their part.

I'd truly prefer not picking up any bad habits-in my immediate rush- that will be hard to unlearn. I don't mind starting out playing very basic/simple stuff..we have a forgiving audience.