Hosting my website on my own...

I think this is the right place, but I'm not sure. I am completely new at servers and stuff. However, I think I've set up my Apache server with some degree of success. Now, I need to know how to connect my .tk domain (cuz .tk domains are frigging cool) to my IP address and make my server accessible from the internet. How do I do it? I think it has something to do with DNS and contacting my ISP or something, maybe. I'm not sure. If you guys could help I will appreciate it and vow, henceforth, to only ask good, educated questions.

BTW, if this thread is in the wrong forum, please move it (but don't forget to add a reply too) Thanks.

You have 2 choices:

1) Setup a DNS server. I don't recommend this since you're a DNS neophyte.

2) Setup your domain to be hosted on another server. Here's a list of free or partially free domain services.

http://www.dollardns.net/compare.html

Check out DNS2Go.com, its not free but it is easy to use and keeps your IP up dated as your IP may change with your ISP.

Also keep in mind that many ISPs will start blocking ports on you as many of them do not allow you to "host" anything on your computer without paying for business class services.

DNS2Go can help you there too if your port starts getting blocked DNS2Go can forward :80 traffic to another port on your computer till it gets blocked.

Depending on what your are hosting and why it is often much more reliable and does not cost that much to have your site hosted with a hosting company.

Good luck!

Personaly, i would do the following:

signup with dyndns.org - its a free service,

create a dynamic host, download a client and set that up,
then when you want to view your site, go to the address you picked when you set your account up.

if you want to use it with your .tk, in the url they ask for just put the one you got from dyndns.org.

hope this helps

Dan