A question about forums in general

[David]

A while back I attempted to make a forum for my anarchist project website.  I am not certain what I did wrong, as I am not more than barely computer literate. 
I am interested in trying again, but with a very basic system.  No fancy add ons , except maybe smileys. (    I love the smileys)  I like the symple machines system, (this forum), but that is what I attempted to do before.  I like the simplicity of this forum, http://www.anarchism.net/forum/forum.php  but not its response form.  On nhfree, and the free talk live forum, you can respond to the initial post on the same page.  It flows better for discussion. 
Any suggestions?  It has to be simple, because I cant pay anyone to bail me out when bugs occur. 

[Kat Kanning]

I'd set up SMF for you.

[David]

I'll ask you about this next time I see you.