PHP is a great language. I'm no master PHP coder, but once you know how to do OOP (Object Oriented Programming), they all seem easy to pick up, once you understand the different syntax (words to use, punctuation, etc.).

PHP can be used on Windows servers (IIS), but generally tend to be used more on Linux based servers (such as Redhat, Mandrake, etc. using Apache as the web server). One of the best tips is to get a good PHP editor. I tend to not even follow my own rule with that, and just use Ultraedit, but I've heard there are better ones, such as Eclipse, or even Dreamweaver.

That's a very broad, and general description, but if you have any specific questions, fire away.

I'm in my first OOP class for C++ right now. C++ is a good base language to learn. Much of the syntax is similar to many of the more recent and current languages. As far as php goes I plan to learn more myself. I have limited knowlege of php and html. Mostly just learn on the fly by editing the F out of things and see what happens. I'm no expert either. Can't wait though to get better!

If you looking to run your own site for testing and playing with a great app I use is http://www.appservnetwork.com/ This will easily install and setup appache mysql and all that so you can intall all different forms of sites. With a little networking know how you can get it viewable to the outside world. I used windows IIS also but I prefer appserve.
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I hope that after I die, people will say of me: "That guy sure owed me a lot of money."