I'm currently learning web design using Dreamweaver. When i was trying to do something like Recordset or some dynamic contents, i was asked to provide a server. But unfortunately i found out that Windows XP Home Edition (which my computer is running on) doesn't have IIS or any web server. What should i do? Please recommend some web server that i can use while doing web design (preferably a free server). And yes, the i need one that supports ASP.

It is possible to install IIS on Windows XP Home but it is not easy. You need the installation disk for Windows 2000 Pro. From there its a bunch of steps. So, a free way of getting IIS on XP Home is kinda difficult. The next best way to get IIS on your PC is to upgrade to Windows XP Pro. This is a much better OS anyway. You can still purchase OEM copies for about $100. Better hurry before they stop selling them.

If that is not possible, then Apache with the ASP module is certainly an inexpensive way to get a web server installed. It is fairly straight forward but it can be a little difficult. There are many sites with Apache info. There is also a new Mono Apache module. It is designed to serve .Net 2.0 web services.

The other way is to not install it at all on your PC and to get an inexpensive web hosting plan for .Net. Some are as low as $5 a month. You can Develop on Dreamweaver and deploy it via FTP to the webserver and test it that way. It works pretty well.