the definitive 'book' for elgg programming is here ~ http://docs.elgg.org/wiki/Main_Page
the definitive theme to customize is custom-index using whatever features from other 'themes' that seem interesting

A on-site configuration of the index page is possible using the Widget Manager plugin (and maybe additionally the Homepage CMS plugin).

If you only want to change the look of the index page you would need to modify the CSS files of Elgg (best via creating your own theme plugin) or create your own customized custom_index plugin if you want a different widget / background style on the index page compared to the other pages on your site.

Facebook Theme has a lot of bugs, you have to work on it and familiarize with elgg if you really want to use it.

I'm glad the tutorial was helpful, I will be adding more design customizations soon.

Rodolfo Hernandez

Arvixe/Elgg Community Liaison

I can use all the tutorials I can find...maybe I should buy a book

Here is the link to Elgg 1.8 book from Cash (a core developer)http://www.packtpub.com/elgg-18-social-networking/book