Hosting My Own Site

I don't know if this is even the right place to post this or not. A couple of years ago, I tried, in my worst way to configure my G4 to be a server, because I wanted to host my own site, but never got it to work. First, I found out that the cable/DSL has to have a static address and would have to be reconfigured and if I remember correctly, that would require changing the port number on it, in order to get traffic coming through. Well, not everyone in my household, who is on the network, was crazy about that idea, plus the fact that I'm not the administrator. So, now I'm wanting to try it with AOL dialup. I even talked with a guy who has his own radio program, who answers questions and helps callers out with computer problems. I was told by him, right there on the air, that setting up a server from your computer wasn't a very smart thing to do, because just about anyone could go in and hack your computer. I was able to set up the server locally and for others to see, only if they had macintosh computers, but this is not enough for me, as I want the whole world to see my site. Now I'm ready to give it another try. Does anyone know of a site or of a manual that tells how to setup a Macintosh computer as a server, that is easily understood? All the instructions that I've found, seem to be geared at PCs only. Any insight or info, will be very much appreciated! TIA