Apache n00b

[mistergoomba]

So, I just installed Apache via XAMPP and would like to start developing my web pages under htdocs in the apache folder.

Now, when I go to my browser and type in [a href=\"http://localhost/\" target=\"_blank\"]http://localhost/[/a] it goes to index.php in the htdocs folder. Now, I'd like to have 1 folder within htdocs for each web site. How do I tell apache to let each one of these folders be a separate web site? In other words, how can I access it locally and have each one be a separate root directory the same way I can enter [a href=\"http://localhost/\" target=\"_blank\"]http://localhost/[/a] and have that be a root directory. Will each folder have an IP address? Do I use httpd.config? Do I use .htaccess?

Also, how do I a) find out what IP address will access my folder remotely, and b) restrict remote access and only allow the pages to be accessed locally? Will deny all limit access remotely and locally or just remotely??

Thanks for helping a newbie!!