Index funds aren't something you really try out. You should be in it for the long haul. Invest early and often as Jack Bogle says. You should check out the bogleheads website wiki and the Canadian financial wisdom forum wiki.
I've simplified my asset allocation to 15% vcn %85 vxc. I was investing in vdu and vun but simplified by buying vxc. I still have the old positions. Most would pick up vab for bonds. I buy etfs almost every two weeks through my investorline account and they are purchased in an rrsp or tfsa. It does cost 9.99 per trade but I like having everything in one place. I started off small and I'm actually down as I was buying vdu on the way down. I have a small portfolio.
Check out the sites I listed above and "boomer and echo" and Canadian Couch Potato, as well as the Frugal Toque posts by mmm here.