It sounds like a blog is the best way for you to start. You mention articles and archiving. Both WordPress and Blogger are set up to handle those activities very easily - and you don't have to learn any html or CSS to start.
Personally I think WordPress looks a little more professional and is more flexible than Blogger, but others prefer Blogger's easier interface - and the fact that it's way easier to add Google AdSense ads.
My e-zine,
http://ezine.lbdunversity.com/ has some articles about beginning a website and blogging.
There are a couple of video tutorials that take you step-by-step building a blog.
WordPress -
http://www.youtube.c...feature=channelBlogger -
http://www.youtube.c...re=channel_pageOnce you've got your blog going, check out the html tutorials Major Payne listed. Move from there to CSS and xhtml. My favorite tutorial are on
http://www.w3schools.com/There are also several easy to use forum services. After your blog has enough active followers, google "forum hosting" and "forum software" to pick out the service best suited to your needs. As with blogging, hosting your forum on someone else's service is less flexible, but there are fewer code maintenance problems. Installing the software on your web host means you have to maintain the files, but you'll have more flexibility in the design.