Well the reason I ask if you have access to the cPanel for your server, is because SMF is usually part of the installation there. If your server has PHP and MYSQL already installed and turned on then you should just be able to go to your cPanel and look for the software installer setup (Mine is Fantastico) which has a ton of software preinstalled for you to use. Check there for SMF and see if you can just install it from there. Much simpler. If you have access to the cPanel that is.

cPanel and fantasico is a great way to go for any install. Thanks again JoAnn for the great tip on SMF. I used phpBB in the past, but was not really satisfied(good while ago)-- I put up a site for one of my clients over the weekend and thinking of skinning it, but it really already goes with their colors.

you're quite welcome James, glad it was a useful tip for you and hopefully for others too. I know I enjoy the SMF forums myself much more than some of the others.

I like SMF JoAnn, but decided to get something more robust for a couple of sites...I purchased vBulletin for one of my clients and really liked the software...but unfortunately was not able to get the sweetheart deal they did so I went on some forums to buy a legit license key(VB does allow selling the license), but all I've had so far is scammers selling nulled scripts and stolen keys- if anyone knows someone that is selling a Legit License for vBulletin that belongs to them, let me know. I want to get the 4.0 suite(CMS/forum).