ME/DE is West Side Barbell. The idea there being that there are light and heavy days (ME= max effort, DE= dynamic effort... or a lighter day done with a lot of emphasis on moving the weight quickly).

I think most beginners would be better off sticking to something that doesn't emphasize maximal effort work, and doesn't have you trying to move weights around quickly That is pretty much a recipe for disaster for anyone that doesn't have all this down to a science.

There are some solid starting programs out there, and I support their use. Not because they may be "maximal" but you know, it is never wise to try and learn something on the hardest level of difficulty. Beginner programs lay everything out, take all the thought out of the work and leave it up tot he trainee to perform the work. That is probably best.