Making the Leap to "database driven"

I know HTML and some Java scripts. I have built lots of little pages. I have a slite understanding of ASP and how it works. I want to learn PHP and MySql.

In order to try some of the things I read about on the net I need to find a "free" host the supports PHP and MySql. as well as CGI/Perl and other scripts i use in my site. I also need some good training resources.

any suggestions?


URL

Why don't you just set up a development site on your home PC? You can use apache, mysql, and php on either *nix or Win32:

www.apache.org
www.php.net
www.mysql.com

I have windows ME it seems to be unable to run personal server software... I even found an article that covered a work around but it wouldn't work correctly.

Should i just update to XP or 2000 is that the best way?

I run Apache 1.3.x, PHP, and MySql on a WinME machine...

Forget that piece of hulking crud PWS from M$, it doesn't work well on ANYTHING, and it doesn't work at all on ME (they tell you "upgrade to 2000 if you want a development system" but that's just typical Mico$oft BS, you can use free stuff and WinME and it'll work ok). Just use Apache, it's much better, and the experience you get from learning Apache is much more valuable.

I may take your advice too, CTB. I run Win98SE and from what you're saying, I should steer clear of PWS which sounds more like a POS. I have a hosting account that supports both PHP and mySQL, but like you said, the experience gained from running them on a home PC might be worth it.

Actually, since the last time I posted, I switched everything to Red Hat Linux. But, while it was all still on Windows, it worked just fine as a test environment.

Of course, I keep WinME around for games.