This thread is producing some very useful information. I am not moving that fast on this as of course it is as much a learning project for me, and it is to be fun in a learning kind of way. So bare with me if I respond very slowly to this thread - thanks.
However so that you can more understand my thoughts. I have inherited a PII 233 with 240+MB of Ram, and an 8GHz hard drive. Now it seems a waste to have this doing nothing (it was donated as a internet/e-mail machine however we are all set for this at the moment). I don't want it to go to waste, and as I need to add some strings to my bow career wise I though it would be a good idea to see if I could set up a website, with a webserver. Others have mindessly chatted about this to me, and there are several projects down the road that could come of this. More computers and more possible websites.
Essentially a local group (not really making money, just covering costs at this stage) could do with a web site, and I would like the challenge of setting it up. So that is what I want to do. Now I have DSL from Verizon so I should probably see what they can do for me as reqards the static IP (which is what Verizon give as far as I know) and allowing me to host a website. If the cost is little more then fine however if it is dramatically more than it may not happen. I want complete control, in as much as I can get it. So using other hosting services kind of negates the purpose, although a colo would maybe offer a solution I could live with, but it is the nteworking and server setup that I really really want to learn and understand, the website stuff is just useful tools.
Anyway thanks for that good stuff so far. I have a lot to do on this and will play with it as and when time is allowing.