[gaara]

Beginning to configure a very basic HTTP webserver that will be expaned in the future. I've used Redhat, Mandrake and Ubuntu distros before but this was about 3 years ago and wasn't particularily serious work.

What I have to work with:
Duron 900MHz
256MB RAM with 16MB shared video
Wireless network

What I need:
Reliable and fairly easy to use distro. This is strictly a webserver so it doesn't have to be home user oriented, just has to be fast on both sides. Secure obviously, and something that can be expanded upon as the server grows. Needs to use HTTP apache initially and that's all, might expand to FTP, email, game servers in the future but that isn't neccesary now.

Leaning towards Ubuntu to start off with and then possibly moving on to Debian once I get both feet in it, I am here to get your input though. The biggest concern is probably getting it working with the wireless.

[macdude425]

What your wireless card is will be the first thing we need to know, but I agree that going from Ubuntu-Debian later on is an excellent move, especially if your Linux skills aren't great. You'll probably want to get the Ubuntu Server distro in that case.

[gaara]

Well just for reference sake I currently have a D-Link Airplus Xtreme G DWL-G132 Wireless USB adapter (rev A) that I will probably use interchangably between this computer and the server temporarily; naturally when I go out and get a new network card I'll shop for something that will specifically work well, and after this year I'll hopefully shift back to the wired network and it won't be a huge issue.

In addition, I've initially configured the network through windows with a 128 bit encryption. I'm just assuming that won't matter and all Linux will want is the encryption password and it will work, but I'm not positive and I'm fairly sure it wants the network configured during the installation

I just stuck in a Ubuntu 5.10 CD I had lying around and see it gives the option for a serverside install or a complete install. I'm assuming the complete will install with GIMP and openoffice and such since I recall Ubuntu coming loaded with that stuff, but if can explain any other differences there are that would be cool

And I'm just looking now and only see drivers for NT based kernels

[macdude425]

It uses, I THINK, an Atheros chipset (talking about the WLAN card here). In that case, you should try this: http://sourceforge.net/projects/madwifi/

If that does not work, you can always try Ndiswrapper.