is text edit a suitable substitute for notepad or does it add extra spaces, etc. Iv'e been trying to install this thing for days now with no luck. I finally gave up and have been following the instructions exactly trying to install phpbb and have had no luck even decompressing the file. the only thing I can figure is maybe it's this but I don't see anything different when I open the files up after saving. I going crazy here. I would mach rather install minibb but right now I'd just be happy with something working right.

Hmm... I am not sure... but if you are on OS X, you might want to use the terminal-based text editors, such as vi.
All the best -
mb

So, what kind of exact errors/difficulties do you get? Which way you are trying to install? I think, your problem goes far deeper, else simply depends on text editor...

I use text edit, it shouldn't give you any problems