Q: how to forward delete I can only backwards delete

Fn-Delete

For other keyboard shortcuts, see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343.

Since you're a newcomer to the Mac and assuming you've run PCs, see these:

Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,
Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacTips,
Switching to Mac Superguide, and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual,
Snow Leopard Edition.&

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist,
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

I installed KeyRemap4Macbook on my iMac when I installed Lion, so my backwards slash key could be a forward delete. Works great. Available from http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/ 

You're welcome

I used to be able to forward delete (fn + delete) but all of a sudden I heard a noise on my computer and it stopped working. I am working in photoshop.

Csound1---Thanks for the answer....Its very helpful to me..

Control-Delete works in MacOS 10.10.5 as backward delete. Fn-Delete does not work as backward delete. 

This is amazing!  Thank you so much!  The ability to forward delete with a single button now is amazing!