Learn html and php, the two big things, in my opinion, i would use the header & footer files with the php input code, its easier than hard coding your menu and banner into every file than when u make changes it just makes it a longer and more dreadful process. Program wise you just need note pad, to type up all the code, and maybe adobe photoshop cs2 for graphics, which you can find somewhere on www.realestniggas.com/board they have a forum for programs, but i find it easier to just use notepad than using a program like microsoft frontpage or any other ones like it, but it you have to know php, html, or atleast have the basic knowledge of it, its not that hard