Hello,
since you have decided to use linux, take some time to go through some linux distributions (Debian/Fedora Core/Red Hat/Ubuntu/Knoppix ...) and decide which one you want to use. I personally recommend Fedora Core 4, especially for beginners - because of its GUI, which should make your transition from Windows a lot more easier.
Almost all linux distributions come with a built-in web server (Apache) with PHP/MySQL support. Configuring a web server once you have a domain name (or even just a static IP address) is quite easy and there are lot of online documents to help you with that (I can help you too)
Installing Fedora Core 4 and some post-installation stuff have been given in step-by-step fashion in my website :
http://www.sgowtham.net/installation.html
http://www.sgowtham.net/pinstallation.html
I will probably post my httpd.conf file soon in my website - please do not hesitate to contact me if you need something : if not with very complex things, I can definitely help with basic set up of your webserver.
Good luck,
Gowtham
Dear Linux Pro,
Alright. To start off, I'm not a complete idiot here, but frankly, Linux is one field of computer software that is entirely missing in my knowedge.
I know there's been a battle between Microsoft Windows and Linux for a substancial amount of time. I know the arguments, and I also know that Linux generally makes the better server. I've never had a dedicated server, so I've never ran into this dilemma before. Windows has worked perfectly for my PC for the past decade, so I don't try to fix or change something that's not broken.
*** -> To the point, I want to start a server which will allow the public to download and upload small video files. This server will also work as my webserver. My problem is, I don't know where to start. I don't know how to make a webserver, or a fileserver. I'm willing to put the time into it. php/mySQL/http/ftp, tell me what I need to look into, and how to begin learning linux.
TIA,
serverman

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