Please, some general guidance?

[sdad]

Just getting started, and decided on pursuing Joomla.  I would like to get started with minimal costs, of course.  I found a template, mesh11_joomla which looked like something I could play around with.  I was not able to install this template, as Joomla was unable to upload the zip file, not finding an install file in /media.  Kinda lost at this point. 

SMF is not part of my site as yet, nor will it be for awhile since this is rather expensive this early into things.  If I stay away from forums for awhile, will the template work ok otherwise?

Since TP integrates into SMF, can I use Tiny in any other way?

I'm assuming that there isn't a "free" app out there that TP and Mesh would be happy with, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

Thanks in advance for any positive comments.  It's frustrating being a Noob

[JPDeni]

Since TP integrates into SMF, can I use Tiny in any other way?

No. TP is an add-on to SMF. It will not work at all without SMF.

this is rather expensive this early into things.

I don't understand. SMF is free, as is TP.

[sdad]

Hold on! SMF is free?  Yikes, how did I get the notion that it was literally $$$? (That's retorical, I don't expect you to answer).

So, let's start over.  I will be downloading and installing SMF and TP.  Do I wait until after that is done to concern myself with the Mesh template?  Or do I have other more basic issues?  (Feel free to flame at this point)

[G6Cad]

Yes.
First step will be to install SMF forums and nothing there will cost if you dont want to join the charter member group. (extra support and access to beta versions of the SMF script)

Second, you install TP through your package manager that comes with the SMF package.

Third. Download and install the SMF/TP version of Mesh theme through the theme manager that also comes with SMF package and you will be good to go