...downloaded it? I'm trying to build a membership website and people have told me that Joomla works best. I have downloaded Joomla and don't know what to do from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Does this cover PHP as well or do I need to download that?

it works best on a LAMP server, but you can use it on windows if you install the AMP part (L is for linux)

Apache
MySQL (or something else that works as well and is as secure)
PHP

did you already install Joomla? does the host even offer php support? some cheap ones dont

1. You need decent web hosting that will support Joomla - See the installation requirements here: http://help.joomla.org/content/view/34/279/
Check out this article about Web hosting: http://www.bestaffiliateprogramguide...webhosting.htm
2. You need to set up a MySQL database - make sure your host provides this
3. You need to upload Joomla to your server. If you upload to your root directory and then access your website - you will immediately be taken to the install page. You will be asked to give your MySQL database details, and then that's it. Make sure you make a note of the admin password.
4. After installation you need to remove the installtion directory and then you're live.
5. Check out Community Builder which is a Joomla extension that may give you what you want for your website. There are plenty of extra extensions you can download

Be warned though - Once you start adding extensions, they are supported by the Open Source community and many of them have issues and problems. The main Joomla 1.0.13 is stable, no issues with that, but a lot of the extensions I've tried have been "trying"!