OT: Figuring out CVS

[Andrew]

Sorry to go off-topic, but I'm quite confused.  I'm trying to use CVS to
download (subsequently to compile and install) Ximian's Evolution. 
However, I have no idea how to use CVS and every HOWTO I've found has
gone into detail about how to use CVS to modify files and to update
things.  Could someone help me trim the fat and point me to some website
that would explain the basics about using CVS simply to download the
source for a program?

Thanks in advance.