Im going to be hosting a dedicated server onf of my other PC's. I will be hosting php based scripts and applications, does anyone recommend any programs for hosting such? When I use Apache or Abyss Web Server it always makes me download the script, not view it.

On what OS? If you have Linux or BSD, stick with Apache. On Windows, I'd say, go with IIS (Apache seems to have issues when run on Windows in production environment).

Apache is fine as a web server, but you also need PHP installed (download from php.net). For Apache, its perhaps best to install PHP as an Apache module. Do a manual install of PHP (e.g. version 4.4.4) following the instructions inside the downloaded file.

One step of the installation is configuring Apache and its mime-types to get the PHP engine to parse and run through the php script. This is the step (the AddType directives inside httpd.conf) that will cure you seeing the raw script in the browser window.

I wouldn't recommend this if you feel it is important for people to be able to access your site! When happens when:

- Power goes out

- Internet goes down

- Server having problems

- ISP catches you running server

- Requires technical support

The list goes on. Why not pay a few dollars / month for a quality, RELIABLE host? I've been with http://www.DependableHost.net for quite a long time, and have nothing but good things to say. The DAC is fully redundent, has AWESOME customer service, all the features you'd ever want, and ability to host more than one site per hosting package. You share the resources between all the sites.