Webserver - complete newbie

[thescubadude]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but I need help...

I am completely new to Linux... so far I have managed to install the desktop version and play some sudoku! And I have managed to connect to the internet.

What I would like to do is use the linux machine as web server hosting my intranet.

As above I have installed the desktop version but would be happy to download the server version if this is going to be best.

Currently I have a Linksys Wireless-G WRT54GL. I also have two pc's 1 with Vista Business and 1 with Windows XP Profesional both connected to the wireless network. The linux machine is slightly older and has a wired connection.

I would like to setup the Linux machine as a test server to develop php/mysql based web sites and web applications. I would like both machines to connect to and work from the linux machine. I would also like to be able to setup a file suppository and virtual hosts so that each project can be accessed through is own route directory.

Again I am a complete newbie when in comes to Linux and networking in general so help would need to be fairly basic.

[DejitaruJin]

You definitely do not want the server installation. The server and desktop versions can all do exactly the same thing, but the difference is, the server version has no GUI. No window system at all, only a command line interface. It is designed for speed and reliability, and certainly not for a complete newbie as it's not very user-friendly.

Again, the desktop version can do everything the server version can, so no need to switch over. You'll want to install Apache and a few other things - exactly what isn't my area of expertise, but someone else will be able to tell you.

[thescubadude]

Thanks for that I would definitley want the desktop version. Don't need to get into command line interface just yet.

I guess in basic terms I need to know how to install everything and what settings I need, in laymans terms, to get everything working together.

Will also need some help on the virtual hosts & the setup of and what file suppository to use.