[berlinbrown]

It may seem like a waste of $20 a month if you aren't doing anything big with it.

But you can setup a linux virtual server on linode and go through all of those steps on your own. Also test out your setup.

http://library.linode.com/

[voltagex_]

EC2 is cheaper if you're using the server for hours in a month - i.e. to learn, like I am.

[calgaryeng]

Or rock Vagrant. The ability to quickly setup & tear down makes for some quick experimentation.