Before you start

I'm looking to download Drupal Commons 3.0 for a new production environment and need a little clarity on how to get the very latest and greatest version.
It would seem obvious that i should want "Recommended releases". But then what's the best approach to get all the fixes that have occured since then? Should I download dev or should I just run all the patches found in the dev version notes against the recommended version or something else?

I have an application written in php with mysql and as I want to make it available online for multiple users, I want to find a solution for user management and content security, was thinking about drupal. The application is a logbook for ham radio hobbyists. It has main table containing around 40 fields, has Ajax jquery form to add record. Passive user can add 10-100 records a day, active user 500-1000 a day. Average user has 10000-50000 records that they will probably want to upload before starting using the application on regular basis.

Hey,

I am developing a website which will, in essence, be an e-commerce/online store. However, I want it to more specific than what is generally found under similar modules or descriptions, so I am hoping you will be able to help me out chose the best way to create what I want:

Features I would like the website to have:

I am starting a site with a large amount of theoretical structure, and I am starting this thread in hopes that I can get a few good ideas on how to implement said structure, through Drupal. I am new to Drupal but not so much to web design. Hear is the site outline.

The site is a members only "Art Guild" that has ranks and privileges for each rank (basic guild structure (yes i love MMOs, especially EVE)) Picture a DeviantART style site with stricter application requirements.

Hi all,

I'm thinking of doing a project but i don't know what CMS might be the best for it.
I want to make a site where the product will be a customer enter text, also select an image from a catalog and pay for it and thats all. Should be easy and in few steps. Something like writing some text, choosing an image, pay with paypal or credit card and the backoffice work will be to print a postcard or something like that. I'm thinking something like this site pegatin dot com but another business...

Hey all,

I started to really learn and understand Drupal, and also HTML&CSS.

What is the best workflow from here?
Installing drupal & zen & modules, making very little adjustments (region etc.), creating the site with drupal (SEO in mind), and finally design?

I want to be thorough, so it will be great if you will help me decide what is the best workflow, and what should be my exact steps, in planning, building and designing a website.

I thanks you all :)