Please keep it simple!
Though I think I am fairly computer literate I remain more interested in getting content into my website than in the process to achieve this.
My existing site is based upon a free template which is very restrictive as every page seems to have to follow this same format and that doesn't work.
My searches suggest "Wordpress" is easy but, whilst there is a very helpful guide to setting up Wordpress on the PlusNet site there appears to be contention over PlusNet's ability to cope with some of the features. (Forum comments and fixes relating to Wordpress).
Similarly I have CuteFTP but the forums appear to recommend Komposer, (which I also downloaded and looked at), for both design and FTP activity, and so the arguments and discussions continue - which, I do understand as these are very subjective topics. HOWEVER:
Here's a simple proposition; can anyone recommend a simple solution?
and I simply want to enjoy providing information via my site than worrying about what I'm doing to achive that aim.
Am I seeking the impossible or just the Holy Grail?
My existing site is based upon a free template which is very restrictive as every page seems to have to follow this same format and that doesn't work.
My searches suggest "Wordpress" is easy but, whilst there is a very helpful guide to setting up Wordpress on the PlusNet site there appears to be contention over PlusNet's ability to cope with some of the features. (Forum comments and fixes relating to Wordpress).
Similarly I have CuteFTP but the forums appear to recommend Komposer, (which I also downloaded and looked at), for both design and FTP activity, and so the arguments and discussions continue - which, I do understand as these are very subjective topics. HOWEVER:
Here's a simple proposition; can anyone recommend a simple solution?
- I have my own domain already hosted
I want to get away from a fixed format template for my web pages
I want to use a content focused rather than process focused web design and management software package,.
I would like to attach a members only blog to my website
I want to feel confident that all is as secure as it reasonably can be
I want to spend as little as possible!
and I simply want to enjoy providing information via my site than worrying about what I'm doing to achive that aim.
Am I seeking the impossible or just the Holy Grail?
Thanks for seeking clarification 
My present layout uses up a lot of web page with the head picture and the column of links to other pages. subsequent pages therefore also have a very restricted area for content. The home page is satisfactory and I chose the template because of the quality and relevance of the picture but I would like to carry through the theme via a reduced image or somehow that works.
The site is predominantly a personal one but there are many and varied lifetime "projects" that I know to be of interest, if not inspiration, to others. This is why I would like to get the site really up and running but in a CMS and visitor friendly way.
The page size also seems to be fixed as I can't add content once I reach the bottom of the template page, but this might be due to lack of knowledge on my part.
So, to answer your final question, I seek the ability to carry my home page theme & navigation functionality into subsequent pages but have the ability to add pictures adjacent to text so I can better describe projects. For example, it could be the ability to describe how to manually develop roll film using pictures and narrative.
Finally, I currently advise on several projects and would like to add a blog facility but this must restrict access to those engaged rather than to anyone browsing the web.
My present layout uses up a lot of web page with the head picture and the column of links to other pages. subsequent pages therefore also have a very restricted area for content. The home page is satisfactory and I chose the template because of the quality and relevance of the picture but I would like to carry through the theme via a reduced image or somehow that works.
The site is predominantly a personal one but there are many and varied lifetime "projects" that I know to be of interest, if not inspiration, to others. This is why I would like to get the site really up and running but in a CMS and visitor friendly way.
The page size also seems to be fixed as I can't add content once I reach the bottom of the template page, but this might be due to lack of knowledge on my part.
So, to answer your final question, I seek the ability to carry my home page theme & navigation functionality into subsequent pages but have the ability to add pictures adjacent to text so I can better describe projects. For example, it could be the ability to describe how to manually develop roll film using pictures and narrative.
Finally, I currently advise on several projects and would like to add a blog facility but this must restrict access to those engaged rather than to anyone browsing the web.