hmm its not something i have ever used, I started off with vB on the JDMtas.com forums.
I know HTML and some basic C+ Coding etc however this vB has been a fantastic learning curve for me. I got into it knowing not a single thing. Now im sitting playing in config files ^_^ knowing almost exactly what im doing lol. Also i have self taught alot of PHP and MySQL as has the man above.
TBH tho this is software i have never heard of until i met you, so i dont know how the support is with it being free. I do know tho that Invisionboards offer good support for being a free board software.
Possibly an option? Again i know non of the features of SMF but i would 'think' that IB would have alot more options to extend the boards and offer alot more features?
Sorry i cant help much further. Although,.. if you go down the route of vB im sure myself and Nicely could help you out if you get stuck lol.