beginner in apache

help with starting apache

[shamguy4]

Hi
I'm new to this site and to anything to do with apache servers

recently I wanted to make a network so a few of my friends could access files I had on my computer
But setting permissions and doing a whole network was getting annoying and theres not as much options as running a server or website
Thats when I thought of running a website
I thought of apache server which I know nothing about
But I learn real quick
I was looking into xampp
It looks like a good program
is apche good for me and what i want?

I want to have a website where friends that I allow could access my pictures, videos and files and post to me stuff...
I read up on something called wordpress? is that like a forum?...
is apache the way to go for me?
and if yes-
where do I begin?
creating my own server sounds fun!
I once created a forum... it lasted a month cause no one would post... but who cares! the fun is in the creating

thanks

[g1smd]

Apache and PHP are fairly easy to get up and running and infinitely configurable to do many things.

Worpress is a blog program, just one type of Content Management System out of many that are available.

[shamguy4]

so... This is going to sound blunt-
where do I start?
because I installed the program and am finding it hard just to view folders I put into the folder set for xamp
is there a guide for beginners anywhere
once I get started I usually could figure it out

[jdMorgan]

There are many books on Apache, PHP, and server configuration. Amazon has a pretty good selection, as do many others.

Jim

[g1smd]

There are many online tutorials, but most are not very high quality, and most of them contain incomplete advice.