Linux box

[User1001]

So I'm thinking of turning an old P3 system into a small file server <150 gb. Now I've come to the conclusion that windows file sharing system suck period. I've heard that linux is particurlary nice for a file server. I've never used linux before so I'm not sure what version I should get or where to get it. Thanks in advance

Edit: free is good

 

[sourceninja]

Ubuntu is good for a first time setup. You could do a server install then setup samba and/or install a light windows manager such as xfce. Check out www.ubuntulinux.org and www.ubuntuguide.org

 

[User1001]

Ok I'm a bit of noob for linux. What is a windows manager and what is samba?

 

[User1001]

Ok I'm a bit of noob for linux. What is a windows manager and what is samba?

 

[ShaneDOTM]

Samba is one of the most commonly used networking/sharing controllers for linux.

You may want to try and find a linux that is more setup for file server activity. Although Ubuntu could handle it. Take a look at distrowatch.com or osdisc.com or distroofthemonth.com for an idea of the scope of whats out there.

 

[kamper]

Samba is still "windows file sharing". Unless you find a distro that is all set up for samba serving, I doubt that you're going to find it as easy as setting up shares in windows. I'm not saying not to do it, just that linux isn't some cure-all for servers.

 

[sourceninja]

Samba is very easy to setup in ubuntu if you use gnome. If you dont use gnome and use something lighter like xfce you can always install webmin and use that for easy setup and maintence. That is why I recomend ubuntu for noobs for anything, servers, desktops, etc.

You can think of a windows manager as a GUI desktop in linux instead of command line only. Thats not an exact description, but its close enough.

There is a very easy tutorial of setting up samba at ubuntuguide.org.

Now if you want something a little more complex then just sharing folders and maybe some authenication, its going to be a some work. But for simple file sharing, that tutorial should work.