I feel a bit lost.

I have dotnetnuke installed on a test server here... I have went through the menus and created pages and altered images. What I am gathering I need to do now is start creating modules, you know actual coding. But this is where I get completely lost. I am not sure if I need dotnetnuke on my own machine or if it is ok on the server. I am not sure how to set up to code. I installed something on my machine and if I go to create a new web site I select dotnetnuke module... I can't get it to run at all. Tons of errors. I assume it is my fault though.

I hate to ask this but I need an indepth tutorial on how to set up an environment for coding modules. I have looked around the net and seen some videos and tutorials but all end in fail. I am willing to start with a brand new OS if needed..

Thanks

I'll add to this and recommend the templates I'm currently using - Jon Henning's AJAX enabled visual studio templates.

IMO the template does all the heavy lifting that all the other templates miss completely. It will package up all the files, and give you a Install and Source zip on each and every build. It can copy the bits to a local/networked development server for testing, auto versions the zip/dnn manifest/dlls based on the date, and a ton of other features.

Even if you don't want an ajax enabled module, change the base class and delete the javascript file. Actually I need to upgrade, as he's released another version already!

You DO NOT have to create modules to use DotNetNuke.  Repeat that three of four times!

Most likely, you can accomplish more than 80% of what you need using ONLY the Text/HTML module.  Just drop modules on the page, and add your HTML.  Use the WYSIWYG editor, and you can do a lot without knowing much HTML.

Where you may need some special features, such as blog, forum, announcements, faq, etc., use those modules.

At some point, you'll probably want to explore the world of free and commercial third-party modules.  Look in the Marketplace, at snowcovered.com, or scour DotNetNuke related blogs and websites to see what is available.

And ask questions.  LOTS of questions!