Could someone point me to a message or explain to me how to install a them or skin? Can I do it from admin panel? Or what all is involved?
Themes are archived packages with zip or tar.gz way.
Follow this way => Admin -> Themes and Layout -> Install new...
Now click the browse button, locate the theme file you downloaded, click install button.
It will be automatically installed. You can now switch the theme from => Admin -> Themes and Layout -> Install and Manage