Glad you came right!
If you are up for a real challenge, why not go the Linux route?
I prefer working with CentOS, but this gives you an idea of how to setup LAMP on Ubuntu
http://www.howtogeek.com/?post_type=post&p=42480
RE your domain, what I used to do if we needed something like this is to setup a cname record pointing to a DynDNS address - worked fine for us. DynDNS is stupid lately as they don't just offer a free host anymore, you have to take a trial of pro and then "cancel" the pro subscription, then you get to keep one host. No-IP is probably a much better option, just not sure if the cname thing works as well with No-IP - never tried
If you are up for a real challenge, why not go the Linux route?
I prefer working with CentOS, but this gives you an idea of how to setup LAMP on Ubuntu
http://www.howtogeek.com/?post_type=post&p=42480
RE your domain, what I used to do if we needed something like this is to setup a cname record pointing to a DynDNS address - worked fine for us. DynDNS is stupid lately as they don't just offer a free host anymore, you have to take a trial of pro and then "cancel" the pro subscription, then you get to keep one host. No-IP is probably a much better option, just not sure if the cname thing works as well with No-IP - never tried