HELP!! Need a script for DUMMIES for a simple login/register feature

Question

I know very little html and am more of a designer, but my programmer has let me me down so I have to take this on myself.
I want to include a very common feature where visitors register to my site, so I can collect some information and contact details from them, then they can access hidden pages of the site and receive some exclusive download links by email, allowing them to download content (only once). They can then login each time they visit with a userID or email and a password.
My host supports almost every scripting language.
I've been told PHP is what I need, but I know absolutley nothing about it. My host said there is templates for such a simple script out there on the net for free but I'm being passed from pillar to post with scripts for much more complicated and rarer scripts than I need.
Hope you can help.
LB

Answer 1

Do I need to create a database to store users info first?
Yes. Without a database, it won't work.
Is this a basic html page with a table with lots and lots or rows and columns for each of the details they have entered (e.g Name, DOB, Address.....etc)??
No, I'm afraid not. Dreamweaver's PHP server behaviors work in conjunction with the MySQL database. If your hosting company supports PHP, you will almost certainly have access to a MySQL database and phpMyAdmin, a web-based program that helps create and maintain MySQL databases. As a minimum, your users table in the database will need three columns:
user_id (a number that acts as the primary key for each record)
username
password
You can also have other columns to store other details, such as first name, family name, and any other information that you want to store.
If you have never done any PHP or database development before, this is going to be a major undertaking for you. The Adobe Developer Centre has some articles that show you how to set up a PHP/MySQL testing environment (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/setting_up_php.html) and create your first database-driven pages (http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/php_event_registration.html). The Dreamweaver help files also step you through the process of creating a login system (http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Dreamweaver/10.0_Using/WScbb6b82af5544594822510a94ae8d65-7883a .html).
Working with PHP/MySQL isn't difficult, but there's a lot to absorb. If you're going to start working with login systems and other database-driven features, you might find it useful to take a look at one of my books about Dreamweaver and PHP. I have different editions for Dreamweaver 8, CS3, and CS4. You can find more details at my website (http://foundationphp.com/).
Good luck.