Stewies Room Family Guy Fan Site

How are cartoons like family guy and present day cartoons made?

I've been wondering how well loved shows like Family Guy, or even something like Spongebob are made? Do they still have to draw the pictures frame by frame? or is it manipulated and went around with some kind of notebook software? and if I was interested in making a cartoon where would i start? how would i really make a legit cartoon like Family Guy, is it still done with frame by frame drawings???