Before you start

Hi, I'm starting to work with Drupal.

I want to build community... what modules I need? (social engine)
I want to allow commenting articles, create blogs (domain.com/blog/user), create their own user profiles (domain.com/profile/user)

Help.

I was wondering how important it is to use ssl on the login and admin pages? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. I've searched for the answer and can't find it. I found the secure pages module, but I don't want to go to all this trouble if it's not necessary.

I'm new in Drupal and I found sites with several useful php codes (scripts, snippets, etc.) for using in drupal. But none of them tell where to put it (in drupal).
Could anyone clearify me?

Many Thanks

I want to build a national classifieds site similar to Craigslist.
I'm new to Drupal but have built previous site with another php/css program (dolphin).

1) Is Drupal suited for a site like that?

2) Any suggestions on a multi-column template that would allow me to do this?

thanks!

Hey,
I came to a conclusion that my site needs drupal, but there is one thing that worries me. Custom PHP Code. I know that drupal does accept PHP Code in Nodes, but I just wanted to make sure.

Basically I am trying to make a website whereby the user has a choice of a few subscription packages to purchase fromt, costing x amount. They select this package which will then take them to the checkout for the payment process probably using paypal. After they subscribe they would receive inormation that I will send them via email. I would like to set up different mailing lists so I could send information to just paid subscribers, non paid, or both.