Web Design

Would this be the correct place? It would be a hobby as well as an interest.

Im interested and creating a website that has basically information - just a big online database of information.

What steps should i take?

What programs will i need, and/or tools.
What are the basic html commands i should get to know?
Any programs i could download online to assist me?
(i might at some point add a forum, so...)
Forums, which to use and how to administrate them.

As for programs, could you add a weblink to them? Or even better, if you have a copy of the program you recommend somehow get me a copy through a DL link or something or another?

and if anyone has a link to a website that can answer most all of these questions that would be great. Im looking to pick up a hobby, and doing this will definetly eat up my time.