Database design help!!!

[=[*NoXIous*]=]

I'll be brutally honest if you don't mind. I know exactly crap about databases, beyond the fact that they organize info in a low level manner unseen by the user / creator of the database. Beyond that...it's all a black hole. What I want to do is dabble with my own "locally hosted" forum for work use. What would I use to write the database? SQL is there a free linux version that is comparable? What would I use to design the front end? VB.net / perl? Where would I find help with such questions? Any help, educated and constructive inputs, would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

[Stinky]

Hi, Im NoXious too..lol...anyways Im not a hot shot programmer, but here is a link you might want to checkout, its a free forum based on php I think...anyways I know of several others that have used this and it works really well, especially for the price. VBull, which this forum is run on costs around 180$ and it is a very inexpensive one compared to others. Anyways GL, and dont give up hope, there are serveral good smarty programmers here at the forum.

http://www.phpbb.com/