As a guy who's played summoner since he first started, I would have to say this is the guide I was looking for 3 years ago.
Faelwen is right when he says this is a build meant to be played by people just starting, whether on ladder, hardcore, or if they're new to the game.
Summoners are the least gear-dependent build in the game. It can take a while, but it's possible to solo hell naked on a summoner. Because of this, a lot of the gear is interchangeable. As the ladder goes on or the player gets better/richer, this is a build that can easily make major gear changes without demanding a remake of the entire character.