AppServ is an OpenSource solution that comes with Apache, PHP and MySQL, all in one package, and very easy to install. The interesting thing about it, is that it runs on windows platform and it’s really useful to those (like me) that are not used to linux platform or to work from a console.

If you are looking for a home server, easy to install and easy to customize, AppServ works like magic. The wizard is really easy to follow, and you can even install it in your own pc along with the rest of your stuff.

Here it is the link to download it plus a step by step to install it.

One thing that you need to know if you want to have your own server, is the type of service you have with your ISP. That is, with a static IP or dynamic IP.

Static IP: A static IP address is simply a permanent address that remains associated with a single computer over an extended period of time and it’s assigned by your ISP. This type of IP let’s you run web servers, mail servers, FTP, etc… and redirect a domain to that IP without having to refresh DNS each time the IP changes, like with a dynamic IP.

Dynamic IP: A dynamic IP is assigned by a DHCP server at the start of each session, normally changing from one session to the next. If you have a DSL connection, the assigned IP doesn’t change really often but it’s not permanent so if you want to run a server and manage your own domain, you need a service (like www.cdmon.com) that refreshes DNS each time your IP changes.

Suggestion: If you want to learn how to master a soft or script language, my suggestion is that you have to read…. then keep reading… and read even more. Don’t get used to copy / paste. It might solve the inmediate problem but you will never know what you are actually doing.

Good Luck!
Federico :-)