problems with installing coldfusion mx and setting up CF for home practice

problems with installing coldfusion mx:

hello,
i have some books of cf.

i need to start on my tutorials


however,

they said the prereq is mx server
home site,

1. i did download mx 7 and chose mx developer edition.
my problem is that when it is self configure. (the second option without apache or iis)

it is reall taking a long time to configure 2hrs. i did not let it finish so i stopped the process.
what am i doing wrong in the set up process.

2. do i need apache to run CF. if so i did go to apache .org and went to a mirror site. but i dont know which one to down load.
any tips?

3. can i run my tutorials with out apcahe or IIS?

4 . the book also mentioned homesite / dreamweaver as a editor.
where and how can i put this in my personal PC?

i really appreciate your help in advance

i am really eager to learn so i can develop for my work, i figure if i get a head start at home, i wont have to rely on others.

thanks if someone can help me set up CF at home.