Have you tried or are you hosting your sites with your own homeserver? I used to have a home server 5 months ago. Just to check my PHP sites before getting them online. But now that I'm using a forum, I'm not using a homeserver anymore. Too lazy to install MySQL and stuff. So how bout you guys? Ever tried it? I'm using a simple one called Abyss Web Server by Aprelium BTW.
You should try The Saint WAMP. It's Apache, MySQL, and other services installed for you. I use it for the same reason of testing my PHP scripts and testing forums skins, etc before uploading to a server.
Yeah I heard about WAMP and basing from the comments, I assume it's simplier than Abyss. But then I tend to stick with stuff I'm used to. I have no time and patience learning other stuff which does the same thing as the one I'm perfectly using with ease.
Wamp is good, they update the installer when new upgrades are availibe for php/apache/mysql. I have a low up speed and it's not good for a dedicated server, If someone will need help with dedicated servers on windows pm me. Icould help you installing a dedicated server and a control panel for it in exchange of few mb space.
I used to run my own website from home with linux. But it's not a good idee to run your own hosting, cause the more popular it get's the more chance u get of getting hacked by some1. And u gotta have a good upload speed if u wanna have your own host. And btw u should also consider the fact that is gonna crash a few times( or more on windows).
^ Total Chaos. Hoping to reach 1,000 post one day on SH