Can anyone help me with:

a) creating a search function on my website
b) using a "non-standard" button for the search button (a .gif or anything better looking than the standard button included with D-weaver)
c) I'd use Atomz, if I knew how to change that **** button that comes with it

Thanks...

i think this should go in the programming section, not the html section say like, the php area or something. maybe in the "all other code section".

As for the search script, see this thread only 6 posts down from yours (ATOW):
http://www.webmaster-talk.com/showthread.php?t=25898

Buttons can be styled with CSS to look better, but if you want to use an image, you can use:
<input type="image" src="myimage.gif" ... />