Getting started with Wordpress?

@Kris - I'd suggest you use Turnkey Linux

http://www.turnkeylinux.org/wordpress

• Install virtualbox
• DownloadWordpress VM from Turnkey Linux
• Import the VM into Virtualbox

There are several ways you can run WP.

• Locally using something like server press
• In a VM
• On shared hosting
• On a VPS

For testing purposes nothing beats a VM for flexibility.

• You can try out a new version of Wordpess in an entirely seperate VM and iron out the kinks before you upgrade an existing site.
  
• You can delete a VM, and not have to clean anything up on your system
• You can create snapshots of a VM and restore them in case you totally mess up your WP installation
• You can clone a VM, and try out something new without it affecting the original VM
• You can copy a VM to a new computer

You're actually better off working locally if you are looking to experiment. Check out BitNami (http://bitnami.org/stack/wordpress) for a bundled install.

Install it locally and then you'll have Wordpress up and running on your local system. That way it won't effect your portfolio on your hosted server.

Thanks for the link. Lots of options for things I'm not used to using, stacks etc. is there an option you'd choose to keep it simple and install on my Mac. Also is using bit name completely free? Secondly how about the data bases? Is that all bundled up in this? Going to keep researching this site. Thanks for your help.

Thanks @chris. Looks clean and simple. Will try it out.

Thans for the suggestions. Glad I didn't have to get a domain name just for that. On that note. Is there any pros and cons to running WP on a hosted server compared to a virtual server? i.e. limitations, debugging etc.

Those are all awesome points. I get it now. Especially after setting it up. Thanks for the help. Now just to get past the initial login.

@Kris - Now go forth and spread the gospel of Virtual Machines.

Also, let us know if you've got any questions.

Thanks all you helpful people for chiming in!

Brian, Chris, James - you all rock!!!

Kris, this is something we are going to go over in detail in the upcoming project on building themes :)

Thanks everyone. Using serverpress because ease of use. I can see the power of turnkey and virtual box though.

@zac I'm really looking forward to it. Would much rather design from scratch in HTML. Kicking myself for missing out on that Black Friday year subscription deal. :)