Here is a great "quick read" article by Vickie J. Scanlon of My Affiliate Place.

"I realized I needed the following questions answered before I could even begin my on-line journey. What do I need in a web host, what is a web host, what is a domain name and ? you mean, I have to pay for a domain name as well?"

Catch it @ http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/articles/ecommerce/000851.html

That's a good primer on what one needs for putting up a website, but I think the title should be "I Want A Webpage!" instead, as there's really nothing about affiliate marketing in the article ... except the SE-friendly title. ;)

(I was kind of surprised that someone would be able to make an affiliate website and establish affiliate relationships and set up the associated technologies to support them without knowing what a domain is or what web hosting services do.)

An easy read for those looking to break into web publishing.