hmichaels

Besides HTML, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to modern web design. I have been searching through this forum, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for. Which programming language would you reccommend for implimenting a search engine into a website? I am in the process of creating a rather large website, and a search engine is vital.

Also, with sites like MySpace, how is the whole messaging other users/users having their own inbox etc. achieved? It baffles me, and it's overwhelming, but I'm sure some of you guys look at it and know exactly what's going on. Care to shed a little light on it for me?

Any replies would be great, because I haven't really got a clue what I'm doing at the minute. Thanks.