I've somehow foolishly gotten myself tangled up in an internet community that's about to shut down due to their sysadmin retiring at the end of the year. I can't actually help them directly, because I know exactly two things about running a web server, those being jack and squat.
But I've always wanted to learn, and now seems like as good a time as ever, even if I don't make it in time. I know there are at least three people here with experience on the subject, so: any advice before I stick my hand into this meat grinder? Where to start, or what to learn before I start?
I'm beginning with the assumption that I should start small, serving a few static web pages on my local PC, then onto a VM or similar before I even try to mess with hosting, DNS etcetera on the public internet. If that's wildly off, or I'm missing something important, please don't hesitate to correct me.
But I've always wanted to learn, and now seems like as good a time as ever, even if I don't make it in time. I know there are at least three people here with experience on the subject, so: any advice before I stick my hand into this meat grinder? Where to start, or what to learn before I start?
I'm beginning with the assumption that I should start small, serving a few static web pages on my local PC, then onto a VM or similar before I even try to mess with hosting, DNS etcetera on the public internet. If that's wildly off, or I'm missing something important, please don't hesitate to correct me.