Being resourceful as I could try to be, I have always searched the web for information on how to explore Joomla!  As you can see at the left column of this site, I have installed a Search Component for my browsers to search Google about all the information they need.  I have also placed the downloadable links for JOOMLA, XAMPP and FILEZILLA- Softwares that could help you in starting your first site.
 
In a simple understanding, there are 3 major components needed for an individual website to appear online: (1) Hosting Server; (2) Domain Name; and (3) the website itself (in our case - Joomla!).  Joomla Aklan! recommends you to start exploring to build your own website on your personal computer and to work locally off the internet.  But first you must download the 3 softwares (Joomla, Xampp and Filezilla) in order for you to start working locally. Here's a simple lay-man instructions for preparing a website LOCALLY in your Windows Operating System.
 
A.  INSTALLING XAMPP
  1. After downloading the latest XAMPP Software, extract XAMPP to [ C:\ ] or to any root directory you wish to deploy your "local server"
  2. Using Windows Explorer, Open XAMPP directory [ C:\xampp\ ] and double click the file "setup_xampp.bat" enabling Apache Server, PHP, MySQL and Filezilla to identify the remote directory for their operations.  Double click filezilla_setup.bat to enable FTP software - a tool for uploading files remotely. (This command is done once only)
  3. Now, every time you start your computer and wanted to update your website locally, you need to double click apache_start.bat and mysql_start.bat.
Now your XAMPP Server is up and running and ready to serve you on your website installation, update and upgrade.
 
B.  INSTALLING JOOMLA
 
1.  After downloading the latest Joomla 1.5.x Package, extract all files it to a directory of your choice inside [ C:\xampp\htdocs\myjoomla\ ] in this example we'll use "myjoomla" as my site's directory.
 
2.  Open your internet browser (in my case, I prefer to use Mozilla Firefox.  Please download the latest Mozilla Firefox by clicking on the left column link that say Get Firefox) and in the address bar, type http://localhost/myjoomla and press enter.
"You must use localhost if the computer you use stands alone and is not connected to any network.  In most cases if your PC is connected to a network, you might as well replace localhost to your computername or ipaddress.  computername can also be used locally"
3.  This will open the installation page of the Joomla Package.  Select Language then click Next.  In the Pre-Installation Check, make sure that all the system meet the minimum requirements , all items are expected to be marked as YES.  Proceed by click Next.  Read the GNU Public License then Press Next.  In the Database Configuration, database must be set to mysql (default), Host Name - localhost, Username - root, Password - (leave this blank), Database name - myjoomla_db.
"Note that when setting up your websites online, these database information may vary and are sometimes provided by your hosting service provider especially the host name.  But in most cases, you are advised also to create this database separately in cpanels  they provide including its username and password.
Press Next.  In the FTP Configuration we'll leave it disabled for in our case, we'll be using FILEZILLA in uploading our files.  Pressing next will bring you to the Main configuration asking you to enter the name of your Jooml! site. The real email address of the administrator and the password.  In this example, we'll use site name - My Joomla!, email address - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and password - admin.  Now if you want to install the sample data to view the actual posts of data in different module positions just click the Install Sample Data button.  You may click Next when there is a comment that says Sample Data installed successfully.  Now your first Joomla! site is installed.  The last thing and most important thing to do is to open your directory [ C:\xampp\htdocs\myjoomla\ ] and delete the installation directory or you may rename it to any unfamiliar name like reinstallation or anything you desire for you might reinstall it again.
 
Congratulations! you have now your first joomla installed in your local pc. check it out in your web broswer.  To view the front-end type "http://localhost/myjoomla" in your web browser and press enter.  Add  "/administrator" to login to the administration page.  use admin (default username) as user name and admin as password and press enter to open the administration panel.
 
For more information on how to explore Joomla! download the quickstart guide by right-clicking this link here and selecting save as... RIGHT-CLICK HERE AND SAVE AS....
 
Thanks to all the Joomla Developers!!!  Mabuhay kayo!!!
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I like your site
written by Arvin Magno, October 09, 2009
When can you help me learn joomla?are you offering free tutorials? this would really help me start my web design with joomla. thanks for this site.


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