How do I do this? I've read the help files and I've gathered I can have my news articles display in column but I can't find any documentation on how to do it. See the picture here for more info: http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6684/654z.png
This is set via the menu manager. Select the menu containing the home page and select the item. Via the Parameters (Basic) - set the columns.
Log in to the backend of ur Joomla Website. Then go to Menus - Main Menu -Click on the link which say HOME - under the 'Parameters (Basic)' - type 1 in the textbox next to label name "Columns". Then click on the Save button on the top right hand corner of the page. This will display articles in one column format. checkout opensourcevarsity.com for help on Joomla CMS
Everything you need is in the backend dude, you should explore the backend and get familiar with it, also helps to see how everything fits together.
@Lee_ day: you are not much help...I am completely new to building a website of my own and can make out how to do some things after trial and error but there are just some parts of joomla backend that dont make sense or I dont understand every area and how it works. @chocolate lime and mkb24: thanks I think that helps