How to properly set up a turntable

Yes Larry, if you like playing around with VTA. It is a PITA to do that with most arms and most people do not want to play around with their table once it is set up. If you like playing around with VTA you need to get an arm with a VTA tower. 
I like the idea of using an index card to set the tonearm parallel. I have a very good eye for that kind of thing but I am sure many people will find that useful.
Cleeds, horizontal tracking angle is only important when your pleasing the wife:)

Cleeds, I love it when you make sense. 
Mglik, follow the instructions with the smart tractor and make sure the cartridge is mounted correctly. Always put your stylus guard on when you work. It is pretty simple.
Set the VTF by the manufacturer's recommendation.
Put a record on the platter and lower the stylus on the record. Adjust VTA so that the tone arm is perfectly parallel to the platter as viewed from the side.
Take the record off and place a pocket mirror on the platter. Lower the stylus on the mirror. Viewing the stylus directly from the front under good light the stylus and its reflection should form a perfectly symmetrical "hour glass"  If the hour glass is bent to one side or another you adjust the azimuth by what ever means your tonearm has until the hour glass is symmetrical.
Next and last is anti skating. Put the stylus down in the run out area between grooves. The tonearm should drift ever so slowly towards the spindle before it gets caught in the next groove. If it drifts to fast increase the antiskate. if it is still or drifts towards the rim decrease your antiskate.
Put on Mysterious Travelers by Weather Report and wig out:)