Ok, I've tried to make webservers before, and they've never worked.
I downloaded Apache HTTP server 2.2.3 for windows, (im using xp). I only have 1 network card, and it makes a different IP address every time or something like that.

It then wants to know my "Network Domain", and "Server Name", when Im installing. Where can I find that out? I want the webpage to be for ex: http://www.example.com, not http://192.168.1.104.com.

Thats as far as I'm going to go right now.

your hostname is whatever you call your machine. i assume you are on DHCP from your isp, in which case you will probably be being given a hostname of sorts, but nothign you'd be interested in. if you're after a publically accessible server, then your hostname would be whatever name you probably end up configuration with a dynamic dns provioder like dyndns or noip. for the apache side, you don't need to give a hostname at all.

Ahh well, I knew i was gonna fail to get that to work again. Folowed some guide online, didnt work.... Why can't some one jsut make a webserver program, that you install, type in domain name you want, press a button, and start making a cool webpage with a WYSIWYG/html editoe, press save, and POW DONE! (free too). Why cant something like that be made?

i wouyld guess it would be because you do not understand basics like domain registration and dns. if you know what you're doing it absolutly is that easy...

Partly because in many corporate environments, the web server administration is separate from the content administration. With different groups like that, the scenario you're describing isn't necessary.

These days the roles often get mixed in SOHO environments so a lot of people rely on default packages installed by their distro and concentrate on the content. Since that's not doing what you need, it sounds like you've identified a project - how are your coding skills?

PS Happy birthday in a few days time...

No, I think it's because of what acid_kewpie said...

Colin: If you want a publically accessable webserver that doesn't use an IP address than you need to either register yourself a domain ($10-20/year) and have it pointed to your IP using DNS (usually the domain registrar will do this for you for free or for low cost) or use the free services of dyndns.com or likewise.

I don't think you are understanding that this is a completely separate issue from configuring the webserver itself, as apache will work fine 'out of the box' if you have the domain/DNS sorted (well, it will display the "It Worked!" test page anyway).

Maybe do some background reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name_system

What would I type into the Apache install thing, If I would be okay with just using an IP address as the address?

http://192.168.0.1/ -- replace with your real IP.

If the install is asking for a hostname just use 'localhost'

Which IP is it? My wireless network connection, under the support tab says "192.168.1.103", but on websites that say what my IP always say "65.30.173.211". Which one should I use? Or does it not matter?