linux newbie

[Jon]

I have just installed a Hyper-v server. At the moment I have two VMs running on it, one Windows 2K3 DC and a 2k3 server for SIMS which we are having installed sometime soon.

What I am now thinking is that this is now a good opportuinity to get some sort of Linux experience, so, I would like to install a *nix server to use as a webServer.

I am however a complete linux newbie...

With this in mine, what would people reccomend as the best distro for me to use, I would like to run Apache, MySQL, PHP. And have an easy to navigate GUI.

Any advice much appreciated.

[powdarrmonkey]

Ubuntu, which has a beautiful package manager called apt and a good repository to back it up, and a graphical interface if that's what you want. Be prepared to get dirty with the shell though

[StewartKnight]

ubuntu sucks! Try something that allows you more freedom, such as Fedora. The new knoppix looks beautiful as well!

[localzuk]

*doesn't understand the previous comment about Fedora*

Stick with Ubuntu, as there are lots of Ubuntu users here.

[AdamK]

I personally use Fedora 8 with KDE 3.5

Yum is a decent package manager and to set up a webserver you will need the following 2 packages:

mysql-server
httpd

Installed by:
yum install packageName

[torry_loon]

For someone with little or no experience of Linux, the best distro to start with is Ubuntu.
Ubuntu has a large community and there are many people on this forum who use Ubuntu.
Once you become more confident using Linux, you can try other distros which may suit your needs better.

To get you started, have a look at these:
Ubuntu Pocket Guide
Ubuntu 8.04 Server Guide

Fedora is a good distro, but it isn't as easy and friendly as other distros (I wouldn't recommend it as your first distro). If you were to go the Fedora/Red Hat route, CentOS makes a better server.

[brownblake]

First of all for a server I would not recommend using a gui at all. If you really want to learn Linux you will need to learn to use the command line and having a gui on a server is just a waste of resources.

As for as what distro to use I recommend not using Linux at all. Use FreeBSD it rocks and is easy to configure as a web server. If you must use Linux my vote goes to CentOS.

[jmair]

Everybody learns differently, but I think it's easier to use Ubuntu and work your way into command lines using the terminal than it is to just be tossed into the deap end with FreeBSD.

[Batman]

ubuntu sucks!

I prefer it to Fedora. Fancy that.

[AyatollahPies]

I've just been tinkering around with Ubuntu 9.04 and it has 3G support without any tinkering.

I've been converted!

[Cools]

For every linux noob.. i meet i tell them to google HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials
it has all your needs..

[Teth]

The Consensus is clear already but I'll add my 2p.

You have the right idea going for a non mission critical project to get started with linux. Creating a server with a role in mind and getting it working and then tweaking it over time maybe adding a few more roles is the best way into Linux.

While Fedora might have a stronger server rep combined with is support by IBM and CentOS is probably the leader in the thoroughbred server OS stakes from a security and system footprint point of view Ubuntu is stable, secure enough out of the box and the wealth of help available is the best of any so I vote go that way.

A couple of clarifications for the inevitable *distro Zealot* response.

I know CentOS is no more hardened than any other Linux distro but its minimalist build from scratch approach tends to lead to very low footprint systems with a low profile on the network because they are carefully configured by someone with plenty of experience who knows exactly what they need to make any give task work without bloat.

I'm also not belittling Fedora's community or help. Its just from personal experience if you google an Ubuntu problem you will get information or instructions that are accurate to the current state of the OS much faster. Fedora has gone through allot of changes since it was redhat. I started at redhat 4 and there is allot of assumed knowledge behind most of its help articles which will seem an insurmountable obstacle to a genuine nix virgin.

[Jon]

Thanks to you all for your advice,

i am curruntly downloading Ubuntu 9.04 server. I will try and letyou know how i get on...