Hello!

pfiew.. this is my 4th post since 2003
ive been a longtime linux user, but never advanched really.
but recently, with the new "home server" hype, ive searched many times for a good linux version of WHS.

since a while, i've found out Amahi!
it's Fedora based (though plans are made for a Debian derived port) and its basicly a web based management.
the core is Fedora 12, on which you install the amahi package, and then you can login to your HDA (Home digital Assistant) which features a nice web 2.0 based gui.

The greatest feature of this program, is that it allows one-click installs of web based aplications!
you simply look under your setup tab, and when you see a nice app which you think is nice to have, you hit the install button, and amahi takes care of the rest!
after that, its as simple as browsing to your dashboard, and click on the app

I just thought i share it with you all, as it has nice features, and a verry promising future!
Maybe its a nice way for new users to get involved with linux!

http://www.amahi.org

ClearOS is pretty popular as well lately, however I prefer to build my server from the ground up as it gives me more flexibility. But I guess, it will be too complicated for new users. Especially, if I look at the problems I had while learning all this.

building your server from scratch is always prefered when you're a linux expert, i guess
but this one is for the home users that know about linux, and servers, but have no idea what it actually is

its the kind of thing i'd install at my parents house, or my aun't place, where they have multiple pc's and users.
it allows you to keep most things in sync, yet without the worries that you'd need to go there every other day because they messed something up

:-) Ok, I understand. That's why I don't let my parents access the server. SSH does the trick for me, when it comes to maintenance. In my opinion, you should keep inexperienced people away from servers. But than again, that probably has to with my professional life.