[expert] fustrated!!! permissions in httpd

[rharvey]

Any one any where know the right way to set up a web server?
no matter what dir I setup as the httpd dir. or what chmod setting I give
it, permissions are denied  to copy files into it.
Are there not any instructions on how to configure a working directory?
Some one told me I should use a symbolic link
If so what do I enter and in what file?
Please help!

Thanks