I totally understand your confusion, as I found it all confusing and so I went to a class to learn. Which is the best way. Even the books can be confusing, as the first book keeps saying to use 5 drops activator (which was drops from a real lemon or lime) with each drop mms....but now a days the activator (powdered citris acid mixed with water 50-50) is made so that you can use it drop for drop.
mms = sodium chlorrite, if you ordered mms then you get the straight mms solution
mms1 = when mms is mixed with citric acid or "activator" it becomes mms1
mms2 = calcium hypochlorite (can be bought as "pool shock", no other pool shock except calcium hypochlorite)
CDS = chlorine dioxide solution....it's the gas captured in water from the mms1 (like in chemistry class)
CDH = chlorine dioxide holding solution, which is a new way to make mms1...see:
mmsnews.is/newsletter/212-a-new-simpler-mms-cdh-chlorine-dioxide-holding-01-04-2014
DMSO = this is a liquid you can buy at any hardware store, it is used to make the mms1 penetrate the skin easier.
Jim says many times not to just give mms to someone and tell them to go make it themselves, as it can be confusing, he's had people mix it wrong, drink it straight, etc. If you get an opportunity to meet with someone or to take the class.....then it is simple.
If I had to chose only one book I recommend the first book as it is a simple explanation of the discovery and how to use it (just keep reminding yourself that when he talks about mixing 1drop mms with 5 drops citric acid - that he means real lemon drops, today we get the activator, which is 5 times stronger so we only use 1 drop each). After you read that book, and it's a easy interesting read, then you can decide to either come here for more receipes or get the next book.
Also, when you order the book the shipping comes up as very expensive, but then the total after you click pay or buy is a whole lot less, don't know why they don't fix it.