Hello everyone!

First I would like to say that I am very glad that I found this forum, and by some of the posts I have viewed, I see that I can learn a lot from you all!

Secondly, I know next to nothing about Linux/Unix (gotta learn sometime right?) and need some assistance.

I am a freelance web designer and love to learn new things! My current goals/plans are to:

1) to broaden my skill base by learning more about the Unix system;
2) move away from the Microsoft family and begin using/learning Linux (I've heard it's great, and it's stable too!);
3) also learning PHP/MySQL (broadening again) lol;
4) want to set up a "server" in my home using an older computer (only one other home computer will access this "server"). I want to "see" what the website will look like and act like on the "home server" before I upload it to the web hosting company. I need to see what a normal (static) site will look/act as well as a dynamic site (PHP/MySQL) will act/look like before I spend the big bucks leasing my own server;
5) learn the Linux/Unix skills to maybe one day obtain a job doing this.

Am I on the right track by downloading the Linux software? I just need alittle help on where to begin. If some of you have done something similar to what I am attempting to do, I would really appreciate your input.

Thanks again for all your help and interest!