Hello everyone. I am looking for advice on what distro to use.

I am currently running a dual-NIC router with DHCP, DNS, DDNS, SSH, Samba, VNC, and Remote Desktop.

This machine will never be used as a desktop, and requires no additional applications whatsoever, however I like GUI tools used for server administration. I would like to use a distro that has very low overhead, but still has a powerful, professional desktop with plenty of toys for my server. I do not fear the console, but I like "point-and-click" configuration of my desktop. I prefer wizards to writing scripts. Any opinions, recommendations, suggestions, and personal experiences are welcome.

Thank You for reading.

Any one will work fine ... reported for megathread

Try "getting started" below.

Cross Linux from Scratch
We have a megathread again? Woohoo!!

We certainly do! And I have move this thread to it.

To break the question down, you're looing for a more point and click version of Linux to use on a server - so CentOS, OpenSuse, Ubuntu Server Edition....

XavierP, you are my hero! I was so disappointed when the last Super Mega Which Distro Thread was closed.

Can you elaborate on why those are your particular favorites? Just to reitterate, I don't JUST want a nice GUI. I would like as many GUI tools as possible while still having as light as possible of an OS. A distro that installs with no desktop backgrounds, sounds, themes or applications would be nice.

I have already used the distro selection wizards. I wanted to see if anyone had any personal experience that may differ from what the automated tests suggest.

Mainly because those are 3 of the more popular server distros. If you want something very configurable go with Slackware or Debian or Gentoo - all 3 have GUIs and all 3 are configurable enough to give you exactly what you need. That said, this is Linux and any distro will be configurable enough to give you the ideal server you are looking for. Though it will depend on how much time you personally want to spend getting there.

Pls go for Vector Linux. You will not regret. It has all the strength of Slackware.

can anyone suggest a nice lightweight and easy to use distro?
It's for my parents aging laptop.
The most important requirements will be a simple browser and e-mail client. Also they'd like their pcmcia wireless card to work (sorry cant remember what chipset it uses)
Their lappy has
1gb p3 processor,
256mb ram
64mb twister graphics
DVD drive.

Normally I recommend Cross Linux from Scratch. But, I understand how quickly it gets old taking care of the family's computers, I'll recommend one of the *buntus.

BTW, this has been reported for inclusion in The Utterly Improbably Huge "Which Distro" SuperMegaThread

Try Puppy Linux (Installed on HD)

This thread has been merged into the "Which Distro" thread in Linux-Distributions as per weibullguy's post.

I don't really remember doing anything "technical" with this install of Slackware I'm now posting from. With others I have, to some extent, but it's nothing I wouldn't have done in Ubuntu or Fedora. Use Slackware before calling it technical

Slackware has long lost it's crown as "only for the very technical", it's still more traditional than others but it's straightforward and there's loads of info on the net about it.