Looking to build a simple home/small busiuness server and seems lots use Linux to do this. Came across an article referring to Xubutu (sp?) and Samba for this, then found a link about PCLOS07...which looks tons better based on reviews. Not a programmer, but am pretty hand with a computer overall. Prior to thinking about Linux, was consdering using the new Windows Home Server product as it looks really easy to implement, though requires a lot of "system" for what it is. Any considerations for a total newb regarding a simple server (like 4 or 5 computers and a large format printer) implementation with Linux? Looking primarily as a file and print server application, but also want auto data backup.

Speaking as a relative newcomer to servers, I had little problem setting up Ubuntu 7.04 server edition ( LAMP installation option).
There is plenty of documentation about as well. I wanted a file server, so had to install samba ( sharing drives to Windows computers) and vsftpd ( uploading / downloading files via SSL through linux account logins) myself but this is very straightforward. The server edition comes with no X so do not expect a graphical window interface when installed. Everything on the server will be command line. I did have a little problem configuring the samba server. But a quick browse via google sorted out the problem.
If anyone can recommend other good server OS, I have a spare machine I am willing to install this on.

Uncle

Thanks...so is the PCLOS07 intended more as a replacement for WinXP or can it also be used for a network config? Guess you really don't need the GUI after setup, but I know nothing about Linux command interface to get from "here to there" if'n ya know what I mean.

Linux distros are much more similar than they are different, so pretty much all of them can run Samba if you're looking for a file server. I'd pick a distro on other criteria, like in your case the presence of a lot of GUI tools if you're not comfortable with command line.

Hangdog 42 is right on. For what you need any distro with Samba would probably be OK. You should consider the hardware and go toward a smaller distro if you have older hardware. For just backing up files, I use NASLite http://www.serverelements.com/naslite.php to an ancient (166MHz) POS, but it's pretty limited really. I've used RedHat 6, Feather, Damn Small, now Vector, all with Samba so I could do backups from my WIndows box. Just pay attention to the password stuff in samba, it trips a lot of people up. It's a very well documented package.