Apache newbie questions ..

[anurag jalan]

Hi all,   Before I start 'messing' with Apache , i want some advice :   What i want to do : Use my webserver as a Testing/debugging site for my webpages/scripts before they are uploaded to my Hosting Company's servers ...   the Questions :   a) Should i use the default /home/httpd/html/ directory , or use some other directory ? ( I feel reassured when i see the default Apache index.html :-)   b) Should i use the virtual hosts option ?   c) Is Samba access good enough or do i need to configure FTP access to the web directory suggested in a & b above ?   Any other advice from people who do something similar with their Apache's would be most welcome !   Regards Anurag