In principle hex editing is not too much more difficult than text editing, assuming you can get use to hex notation (numbers 0-9 and letters A-F). The Windows calculator program in (advanced/scientific mode) can convert between decimal and hex values.
Considering what would probably be achievable with modding DD, it may not be worth learning how to hex edit just for that, but if you want to learn anyway this could be an interesting project. Even with modding tools available (with some other game), some basic hex knowledge should be useful, or helpful if you ever want to do any programming or registry editing to change hidden Windows options, etc.
Anyway, I described how I figured out the
hex teleport and
stat/skill/etc editing for Beyond Divinity awhile ago: see
here. A program that searches for ASCII text in binary files can help you get an idea of the file structure, if there are text heading or comments in the file (I use a program called Peek, but don't know if it works in XP/Vista).
I would suggest you start by reading the DD hex teleport and resurrect topics, and perhaps those for BD, as well. If it all Greek to you, you may need to look for an online tutorial, or something. If it makes sense, at least a little, then you may be able to dive right in and try the procedures out, then see what else you can figure out (see the topic
Some more hex offsets...).
I use Hackman (v7, the freeware edition of v8 is crippled by a low file size limit), primarily out of habit. This was the first relatively full featured hex editor I found with a file compare feature. I have not tried anything else recently, so there could be something else as good or better out there.
Since you asked, there is only one 'c' in recommend.