I've installed "piecemeal" apache, php, and MySQL and remember having a heck of a time trying to get everything to work together. XAMMP takes all that hassle out of setting up a configurable testing server and has everything you'd ever need or want for the basics. Check it out and see how easy it is to install and configure.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one on WS_FTP. Sometimes, it's better just to do what it takes to get the job done - the easier, the better.

CharlesH