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Another Linux Thread :-P

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40hz:
First of all, welcome to the world of Linux! :Thmbsup:

I think you are going to be very happy with your decision to start exploring what the FOSS/GNU/Linux community has to offer. Marvels and wonders (along with the occasional annoyance) await you.

A Linux sever is basically a standard Linux installation stripped down to the bare essentials needed to perform its role. Because of that, the GUI and most of the convenience features get left out, which makes it more difficult for a newcomer to get comfortable with it.

One of the most common reasons why I see newcomers giving up on Linux is because they attempt to do too much too quickly. This is partially the fault of the Linux community, who tend to downplay the fact that you need to learn some things about Linux in order to use it effectively. While it is true that you don't need to learn a lot, you still need to learn something.

If you are planning on setting up a server, I would strongly suggest you first get familiar with Linux as a desktop environment. It will be time well spent, even if you have no plans to use Linux as your desktop going forward. (Just don't be too surprised should you discover you like it enough that you eventually switch to Linux as your primary OS. Quite a few people have.)

So, if you'd be interested in going the "start with the desktop" route, let me know and I'll post some additional suggestions and resources to get you started on the way to getting the background you'll need to run a server effectively.

Otherwise, pop on over to How-to Forge ( www.howtoforge.com ) for some cookbook solutions to what you're trying to do.

 8)

40hz:
You might also want to look at the Amahi Linux Home Server.

It's a very nice package that just might be everything you need.

Link: http://www.amahi.org

Overview

The Amahi Linux Home Server makes your home networking simple. We like to call the Amahi servers HDAs, for "Home Digital Assistants." Each HDA delivers all the functionality you would want in a home server, while being as easy to use as a web browser.

The core functionality available in the base Amahi HDA install includes:

    * Protect Your Computers Backup all your networked PCs simply and easily on your home network. If one of your PCs "dies" you can easily restore it!
    * Organize Your Files Access, share and search your files from any machine on your network, making it easy to share and find your photos, music and videos.
    * Internet Wide Access Automatically setup your own VPN so you can access your network from anywhere: safely and securely.
    * Private Internet Applications Shared applications like calendaring, private wiki and more to come, will help you manage your home and your family!


--- End quote ---

zridling:
Jim, welcome to Linux, my man! I'll defer to the others here, since I'm still learning so much. However, there are a few websites to arm yourself with:

GrokDoc's Switching to Linux (A repository of Switching tips)
http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/Switching_to_Linux

IBM's Windows-to-Linux Roadmap (A big picture of the larger process)
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-roadmap.html

HowToForge Linux Tutorials (Step-by-step learning)
http://www.howtoforge.org/howtos/linux

Free Software Daily (THE source for news, tips, & articles, along with DIGG's Linux page)
http://www.fsdaily.com/

Linux Forums (Great news, tips, and user forum)
http://www.linuxforums.org/

LinuxCommand.org (Learn the command line and the shell)
http://www.linuxcommand.org/

Common command cheat sheet (Command line tips)
http://www.pixelbeat.org/cmdline.html

Jimdoria:
Wow, thanks for the replies everyone!  :Thmbsup:

Shades, I'm glad to hear you say that the dual P2 might fit the bill. It's a nice little box, but it's just been gathering dust since I "rescued" it.  ;) I think I'll put it to use for this project, and maybe later set up the laptop as a Linux desktop.

I'll definitely check in to Amahi. It looks like it might be just the thing I'm after.

And thanks for all the links, Zaine! Roadmaps are always good when entering foreign territory!

And f0dder - you get the prize for the quickest replies!  :drinksmiley:

40hz:
I'll definitely check in to Amahi. It looks like it might be just the thing I'm after.
-Jimdoria (January 22, 2009, 01:27 AM)
--- End quote ---

FYI: Amahi does require a copy of the Fedora 9 DVD (not the 'live' CD) to do the install properly. F9 is a pretty big download (3.33Gb. Yikes!)

I don't know what you have for a web connection, but if you want, I can just snail-mail you a freebie copy and save you some bandwidth. The USPS can usually hit most addresses within two business days. Pop me a mailing address via PM and I'll get one out to you pronto.

Much like zridling says, welcome aboard! :Thmbsup: :Thmbsup:

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