I am a complete newbie to Linux, although I do have some skill with Microsoft SBS. I would like to set up a network using Linux as a file server, web server etc. The workstations connected to the server would probably be running W95/98 though. I am leaning towards Red Hat at the moment but looking on their site, price does seem to be prohibative, this really is just a personal project at present. My boss is going to take some convincing before he parts with cash. I have a PIII 450 with an 18gig scsi, and a 9gig scsi that I could use as a server for now while I'm teaching myself, plus a couple of old workstations of PII 233 specs.
At present we use MS Office 97, and a custom built DOS program for our accounts and stock, which is why I think it may be best to stay with W95/98 for our workstations, but i'm open to suggestions, I could possibly talk them round to using star office but the DOS software would be a real sticking point. So in a nutshell.

1, What Linux version for the Server?

2, Windows or Linux for the Workstations?

3, Compatibility issues for DOS Software?.

4, How tight could the budget be on a project like this?

If you need any more infomation, please contact me, I have a couple of months to sort out some options, and learn as much as possible. I would like to make a transistion to Linux because I belive in what it represents. Many thanks Jofi

if u dont wanna spend a bit but get a superb distro, then i say slackware!!!!!
u can try running ur dos proggie in dosemu (most recomended) or dosbox or u can install vmware

1, What Linux version for the Server?

Debian. Free, very clean and easy to maintain/upgrade/cleanup.


2, Windows or Linux for the Workstations?

Debian (or Knoppix) and OpenOffice.org (a free fork of StarOffice) which is also free. Knoppix is easier to install and geared towards desktop systems but is based on Debian so the packages they use are mostly compatible with eachother or in most cases identical.


3, Compatibility issues for DOS Software?.

dosemu, dosbox, wine, win4lin (which runs win95/98/me on top of Linux), vmware... at least one of them will do. The first three are free and the last two are commercial and cost money.


4, How tight could the budget be on a project like this?

You have the hardware, all you need to do is download a Debian ISO CD-image, burn it on a CD and start installing.


BTW: If you want a more responsive system and get a system that is as fast as possible make sure you install Debian or Knoppix with the Linux 2.6 kernel (linux26 or knoppix26 as boot options).


Sarge netinst Debian Installer beta4 (I recommend you try this first, more up to date)
http://cdimage.debian.org/pub/cdimag...86-netinst.iso

Offical Debian CD-images
http://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/

Debian
http://www.debian.org/

Knoppix
http://www.knoppix.com/