When creating new design templates, do you need to stick to the 3 column rule? I was readin the template guide and it says that you must stick to the 3 column rule? is that necessary?

But more specifically, i dont want to use this three column design but rather do something different all together.

See site:http://uutv.syr.edu

I want to implement XOOPS into this current design and create modules to enable the users to post new shows and update the content on the site. With enough code editing, is what i dream possible with xoops?

You could easily use that design. You could just not use the right colum and keep your left and center columns the same width.

If you're willing to modify your templates to get a nice style (like the one your site has) then remember you can get creative and move your block areas around in html and provide some looping with smarty.

Here is simple theme.html hack which will let you line up blocks in a row.