Is there something special I need to do to get the
Shouldn't need drivers for this. Open System Preferences, which can be found in the Utilities folder, if it is not already on your Dock. It looks like a light switch with an apple logo on it. From there select Sound, under the hardware section. Click output, select the headphones, select Click input, again select the headphone/mic set. If it is not on the list, then so sorry, i was wrong, you need drivers, which you should be able to get from the altec lansing site.
If this is set and you still cant here, please let me know what system he is using. Is it the in game one from WoW? Ventrilo? If vent he will need the server data etc. from his guild or friend he is trying to speak with. If it is the in game one, just tell him to follow the in game instructions, they are fairly straight forward.