Super Easy Questions

[Zachr]

Well, I am completely new at web development, but lets say I want to host a website on my home computer. I figure I need;
1. Apache
2. Php
3. Mysql

Once I get all of these, I need a domain name right? Well in my case I am looking to not spend any money, so what I was hoping to do, was get a free domain name somewhere, then rename it at dot.tk.

So what would I do, because in Apache there is all this stuff about redirecting to your IP and confusing stuff like that. Also, when putting in the site name with Apache, could I put in the dot.tk site name, or the free domain site name.

Another also, I have seen many free domain name places, but they all have free hosting automatically included, so if anyone knows of anywhere just to get a domain, please tell me.

One more thing, hehe, what ports would I need open to host my server?
Note: I didn't post this in the Apache section, because it looked like that was all about Apache commands.

[mlseim]

You need an internet service provider that allows you to have a dedicated IP
address and a port that remains open continuously. This isn't going to be cheap.
Check with your current internet service provider and find out how much it will be.

[oracleguy]

You don't need a domain name or anything if you want to host a site on your local computer and just access it from inside your network. And if you did want to let people out on the Internet get to it, they can access it by IP or you can setup one of those free sub domain sites.

If you plan to run a production site, you need a static IP like mlseim said.

[torham]

I do not recommend free domain name providers. Because in that case they will own your domain, and if one day you really need to own that domain name, it can be trouble. I recommend buying an .info domain if you need one. It is very cheap.

[mlseim]

For the learning experience, what you're doing by building a server, and hosting
your own website is a great idea. But to make it a real, online thing, is not such
a good idea, unless you can afford the time and money to maintain and run it.

With the low costs of webhosting these days, it's hardly worth hosting yourself,
except for learning how it's done ... that will be invaluable.

But, if you can handle the situation, then go for it.

[jonweb2009]

You can better just start running the site with any cheap hosting as low as

1.99$ permonth... including free tld domain name of your choice.

Running a website from your home is good for development purpose but not for production use.

you can run your site from by obtaining free domain from dyndns.com and they have tutorials how to implement in your home server.

even a windows xp and iis machine is ok.

but better go for paid hosting.