Hey,
Which version of linux should I run for a server without spending big dough? And which supports the file exension tar.gz? because that is the most popular file for server programs...such as xampp I have fedora core 3 and like it except for the fact that it is hard or impossible to find server and freebie software...also can Linux run a wireless network adapter with an encryption key?
Thanks,

Is this a fake question? You don't seem to know anything about anything and you want to run a server?

big dough? Most linux distro's are free

supports exension tar.gz? It is the standard format of every unix OS

hard or impossible to find server and freebie software? are you kidding

wireless network adapter with an encryption key? yeah, but I'd work on the basics for a while if I was you.

Which ever version you like. If you want an easier to use / install etc. Try something like Fedora Core.

.tar.gz everything supports, all that is, is a compressed file. A tar file which has been compressed with gzip. All distros support that. If you are downloading programs in that format, you'll probably find that it is source code for the programs. You'll need to have gcc installed to compile them. Which again all distros will have.

You can run wireless no problems with linux, and Fedora Core if you choose that way.

I don't understand what 'freebie' software you are after? Most distros come with pretty much all of the server services you would need?

>Craig

EDIT - Sorry he got in first

The reason I want to run a server is due to the fact that I script my own pages, and refuse to pay money to entrust someone else to handle them. I just want to run linux because it requires no special hardware like mac and is safer then windows...and to chbin...Yes i am a noob and i do know something about something...it just happens not to be linux. I have always used Windows for my whole life and now after a virus and spam, I want to start figuring out Linux.... It would appear that I am a noob because this is in the "noob section"......
and yes I know most linux distros are free...some for servers are not tho oh and by the way... my whole home network is wireless...so in order to host i need to know how to run wireless. Oh yeah This is not a fake question(obviously)!

i personally thing a nice solid secure fast and easy to use distribution for a server is Debian stable

totally non-corporate and non-commercial

not the easiest install though but worth the trouble

there is a book the Debian Bible or something like that -- it's kind of old but a good start

What you want to do can be done on any distro that you want. All you need to do is install server packages for whatever server you want to run. You can also run wireless network with an encryption key. Just start by installing any version of linux on the computer you want to run as a server. If you have questions/problems post in this forum and a lot of people are willing to help you.
** Just to clarify - any linux distro can be run as a server, you dont need to get enterprise server software to run a server **

Well, Debian Sarge is also a great choice, I would say. A lot easier and updated than Woody... Ubuntu is Debian based and probably more friendly. You can also try Fedora Core or Mandrake, but personally I don't like the RPM package system.

About Wireless, which card do you have? You should check if it is supported. That is more or less independent of the distribution (yet in some Linuxes it can be more difficult to configure or make it work).

Hope this helps

yah I have one of the belkin adapters...it doesn't have drivers for linux, but was kinda hoping that linux would have a wireless network config area :lol: