I've been considering doing web design for supplemental income in the near future. I'd like to host some websites and build them from scratch.

1. What kind of hardware do I need to host?
2. What kind of software do I need to host?

Also, do I basically have this right?

If I were to host a website that simply means that the content of the website would be primarily stored on my server. The .htm, .php files, images, etc... would be stored on my computer.

For example the path to a photo on one of the sites would point to a location within a shared folder? Like cwebsite\website.jpg or something of that nature?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hello.
for the first time, you can simply use your computer.
Then you can buy a normal server ... He copes better with DDoS - attacks
If you want to do it publicly, then the best software is:
Linux (Free, OpenSource)
Apache (Free, OpenSource)
PHP (Free, OpenSource)
MySQL (Free, OpenSource), then you can switch to PostgreSQL (Free, OpenSource) or Oracle (Non free).

Hello Kensmelardo.
If you're going to lead your own projects and use your servers just as your own (not selling space and domains), pretty much what you need is public IP adress to your lan server and a good internet connection. Of course, you'd have to keep your computer on, since your hard drives would be your space or let's say your servers.

For running a server, some of the linux distos would be the best solution but if you're not willing to take courses in networking as it is CISCO or at least some basic knowledge about running a network server, my advice for you is to simply pay some host and host your websites on it.

Servers are cheap and fast, and these ppl take care that your websites will be secured, safe.

Basically, Ive answered your question about your files. Yes, they would be stored on your computer, basically anything that you would put in a certain server would be on internet right away. Now it's about speed of your upload, how fast your content will be seen by visitors.

Running a server is not really hard, you'll need some knowledge about networks and about setting up and Apache server for your web development plans.

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To get started you will need shared web hosting account. I recommend you check webintellects.com. They are good and one of the oldest web hosts in industry.
Then you may need VPS. I recommend santrex or hostagtor.
Dedicated server: theplanet or rackspace.