very newb, considering themes

[brynn]

Hi Friends,
I am very, very new at this.  I have searched the forum, but may not be knowing the proper terms to search.  So apologies, if needed.

1 - Am I restricted to themes that list my specific version (2.04)?  Or will a theme for any earlier version also work?

2 - I'm looking at many different themes.  For my new forum, I also have installed Tiny Portal.  When I look at screenshots and demos of themes, the vast majority of them are shown like this, with everything all in 1 column:  http://www.jpr62.com/demos/index.php?theme=66

So far, I only see 1 theme shown in the portal style:  http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?action=download;lemma=2585;id=15703;image

Surely it can't be the only theme for portals.  I'm guessing that once I install a theme onto my forum with Tiny Portal, it will be shown with 2 or 3 columns, like the Balanced screenshot.  But is there any way for me to see a demo or screenshot of what a theme will look like as a portal?  Or will I have to actually install them to know how they will look?

This next question is off topic, so please let me know if I should post in a different subforum (perhaps there's a forum feedback subforum?).  I registered for this forum a year or so ago.  And I'm logged in right now.  So why do I ALWAYS have to fill in a captcha (or whatever they're called)?  Is that just how this forum keeps out spam?

PS -- also another captcha if I edit a message

Thanks for your help 

[Itch™]

1. You can click 2.04 below the themes list. It'll only show you themes made for 2.04. However, you can use about anything made from 2.0 and up.
2. I'm using SimplePortal which is about the same, I use just about every theme from 2.0 and up which gives me no troubles. The portal code divides it into 3 columns.

Welcome in, btw.

[brynn]

Oh, thank you so much.  It will be mostly 1 step at a time for me, so I appreciate  your help