Thank you for the detailed explanation. It has helped out a lot. I have done quite a bit of research. But I think I have left out some information.

1. I have a sample oscommerce template someone sent to me to try out their templates...with the understanding that I can't personally use it for my business. I understand and agree to those terms.
2. They recommended that I download the trial version of Dreamweaver. I downloaded Dreamweaver already.

3. I thought I could just unzip the oscommerce template and "play" around with it in Dreamweaver. In my mind, I thought I could open each page of the oscommerce but it doesn't come in like that.

4. Based on all the instructions I've read for oscommerce, it seems that oscommerce templates must be loaded to the server...which I do not have an account with VodaHost yet. So, is this why this is not making sense to me because I should be loading to a server?

5. I did find a few FREE html editors...thank you for that bit of information.
6. Also, I registered with the Official osCommerce Forum earlier today. However, it has been over nine hours with no response on my membership. So, further questions, I can't ask over there.