I think he means "uninitiated" as "someone who has likely never messed with complex electronics before." I agree that before one starts attacking battery packs, particularly those prone to bursting into flame, they should get a bit of practice in with some less hazardous work. For example, one should begin with building RC cars, repairing home appliances (toasters, lamps, vacuum cleaners...), fixing old transistor radios, before moving to complete disassembly and correct reassembly of a white iBook, or recapping an SE's logic board, or recelling an old NiMH battery. Ya know, to get the feel for electronics and what happens when a screw-up occurs (which it will). Maybe then, young Grasshopper, the hacking of LiIon batteries will be in your reach.
I've never personally cracked open a clamshell's battery pack, but unless the batteries are physically the same size (or smaller) as those in the Pismo's pack, I wouldn't even bother. Besides, LiIons often don't take kindly to heavy modifications, what with all of their hazards and fancy safety circuits, so I'd personally just buy a new one (so long as they're available).