enabling mail function/mail functions help

I'm trying to use the eFiction fanction/story archiving script for my website (view the script here: http://www.thesonicworld.net/efiction/), but the registration process is giving me trouble. It's one of those where you fill in your email and username and they send you a default password. Well, I'm not getting that e-mail. I was told I need to make sure my mail functions are active. Furthermore I have been told lots of things about SMTP servers and webservers and localhost and I'm really not following. What is my SMTP server? How do I enable it/make sure its working? If it isn't working, how do I get it to work? -Andrew