Okay, so I have no experience with this DNN product, but I have SQLsvr 2005+SP1, SP2 plus Win XP + sp's and lots of experience with Web development, but for the life of me I cannot see how to Install this product.  Is there a reference on this site to specifically what one needs to do to get it in Visual Studio, buld it and run it? 

I downloaded the Source package and there appears to be no "easy" way to run an MSI, or whatever, to install it.  Is this the case?  If so, can someone just tell me how to get the site installed?  many thanks.  apologies if this is an ignorant question.

There is documentation at this link: www.dotnetnuke.com/About/Documentation/ProjectDocuments/tabid/478/Default.aspx

There are webcast links that cover the topics you seek here:

www.dotnetnuke.com/About/NewsRoom/tabid/703/Default.aspx 

and for more info on how to improve an existing module look here:

dotnetslackers.com/articles/dotnetnuke/Improve_a_DotNetNuke_module.aspx

Also,  check out Michael Washingon's doc which discusses the areas:

 www.dotnetnuke.com/Community/Blogs/tabid/825/EntryID/1060/Default.aspx

All of these should get you going.  But if you still can't seem to get over the initial learning curve, the next version of DNN will have a built-in installer wizard.  Now, I've got to say DNN has come a look way since I joined the community years ago.  I had no vs app, did things with hand-coded methods, and wrote a ton of doc on the process.  The improvements made over time are due to some loyal and very caring and sharing folks in the community.  The above links are from a very small portion of the helpful folks in this community.

So... don't get discouraged, because folks will help, but take some time to search the forums and the DNN site, which gives you more than just a download of the source.  We've all been newbies to the project at one time or another, and once you get in the groove of DNN, it kinda hooks you.

Cheers,

iwonder

Let me clarify something for you and everything is going to click in your head (guaranteed).  I have made this clarification a million times, maybe more.  It always happens to new DNN adopters that come from other technologies or have some knowledge of Web design, databases, and even Visual Studio. 

You DO NOT need to compile DNN.  You DO NOT need Visual Studio (or Visual Web Developer).  Get the Install version of DNN, it is ready to run out of the box (or Zip).  Then, the installation instructions will make sense because THERE IS NO NEED TO COMPILE IT.  It is easier than that, just extract the Zip to the DNN directory you designate and follow the rest of the instructions.

Hope this helps.  And of course, if after that you have problems then post the specifics.

Carlos