Which Linux Distro

[StrangerInBeijing]

Hi,
I always been using windows, and since moving over to php, mysql, WAMP
Finally got myself another computer which i want to use for a "home server", backups, etc
But at the same time I want to learn about Linux, and got several cd's with various Linux distro's here (ubuntu, suse,fedora,pclinuxos andso on)

I dont care much about the interface as long I can learn some "real" stuff using the Terminal.

Any suggestions about which is best for LAMP ? Just for fun I'm installing ubuntu as i type now...stick with it?

[penagate]

I use CentOS. It isn't bleeding-edge by any means, but it's rock-solid and one of the most popular in commercial web hosting. You can learn shell commands and server administration using any distro though.

[visualAd]

For a home server I would be more inclined to choose Fedora core. It has a capable package management system and has some of the more up to data technologies. However it is not AS stable as CentOS.

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Ubuntu hands down, I use it for all my linux servers and we are using it on the servers at work. I only had 1 problem which was when my HD died, but that issue would have happened with any distro.

[StrangerInBeijing]

Well I dont know Linux at all, but from what I read all this distro's is build on the same core. So any distro is pretty much the same. Naah, what if ppl that build it screw up.

Thanks for the input guys, but I'm more confused than before. Will try install each of them and see what "feels right".

Got Ubuntu now. Looks cheesy, but then, that's just an interface huh?

[penagate]

Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 and you won't need to see that GUI nonsense.

Better yet, ssh into it from a remote machine, then you'll get the authentic 'server' feel.

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Well I dont know Linux at all, but from what I read all this distro's is build on the same core. So any distro is pretty much the same. Naah, what if ppl that build it screw up.

Thanks for the input guys, but I'm more confused than before. Will try install each of them and see what "feels right".

Got Ubuntu now. Looks cheesy, but then, that's just an interface huh?

What flavor do you like?
KDE, XFCE, pretty much all the popular GUIs are installable with some command line.
Also if you are using ubuntu you may want to read this: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Gutsy

[StrangerInBeijing]

What flavor do you like?

If I never used Linux how will I know the flavors man? BEN DAN!

Basically, I just want a computer to use as network, local web and file server at home.
Run it with Linux cause I been procrastinating on learning Linux for a year now.
Don't want it too "easy" (GUI), I want to learn linux, not ubuntu, suse, or whatever.

[k1ll3rdr4g0n]

Do you know that it's the same whatever you use, right? The only thing that I have encountered that is different is where some of the config files are and some of the ways you do things using the GUI. Otherwise, it should be the same across the board. ie Setting up Samba, probably any FTP server, Apache ect.

I only ment that if you have used it before, but Ubuntu is starting to stick its foot out there so, I would pick Ubuntu for Desktop and servers alike. However, if you want something thats not as stable pick opensuse and fedora core. They work great, just had some awkward personal experiences with both.

[StrangerInBeijing]

just had some awkward personal experiences with both.

...send mail to wrong gf?

[visualAd]

Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 and you won't need to see that GUI nonsense.

Better yet, ssh into it from a remote machine, then you'll get the authentic 'server' feel.

c'mon, hasn't anyone told you how to edit the runlevel in inittab?

[penagate]

That's not much help once you're in the GUI...

[StrangerInBeijing]

thanks for all the replies.

I downloaded ubuntu server, will write to cd and install it tonight. :-)