The simplest method I've found for testing out different web-development tools is XAMMP, which includes key web-server software (Apache, MySQL, and PHP) in a simple package.

• I use XAMPP for Windows and run it off of a thumb drive.
  
• I had problems running it at first because there are a lot of different programs in the XAMPP directory that seem like seem like they would run it. Ultimately I realized that the easiest method is to: 
• Run xamppcontrol.exe
• Click the "Start" button next to Apache
• Click the "Start" button next to MySql
• Do not tick the "Svc" boxes (these needlessly run the programs as services under Windows XP)
  
• When you're done, click "Stop" in reverse order (MySql first, then Apache). Exit the program.
  
• You can safely ignore every other .bat and .exe file in the XAMPP directory.
• Once Apache and MySql are running under XAMPP, open up a web browser
• Go to http://localhost to open the XAMPP control panel
• Click on the phpMyAdmin link (http://localhost/phpmyadmin/) to administer your MySql databases, which are the heart of any CMS-based website.