What would be the best operating to install if I wanted to use an old computer as a server?  I intend on using it mainly to test things before I put it on my website, and to also share files with friends.

#Edit
Something that comes with PHP, APACHE, and MYSQL would be nice.

FreeBSD or almost any Linux distro.

Windows servers work well too.

I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux. 

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 

[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux. 

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]

Was easy for me. On all builds I've installed it on.

As for Linux, CentOS Server 4.x works well, Red Hat Enterprise 3-4, ss well as other distros. However Solaris is nice to use, if your familiar with it.

[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]

xampp with some config file changes for security and you're set.

iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.

[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]
With a fast internet connection it took me about 5 minutes to get all that installed + MediaWiki.

[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144085#msg144085 date=1138772904]
[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux. 

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]

Was easy for me. On all builds I've installed it on.

As for Linux, CentOS Server 4.x works well, Red Hat Enterprise 3-4, ss well as other distros. However Solaris is nice to use, if your familiar with it.
[/quote] Oh God I hate solaris. I personally think Solaris is a pain in the ass. IMO Id go with ubuntu or suse or something.

I've been starting to use Windows Server 2003 standard edition lately, I like it.

[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux. 

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]

It of course depends heavily on the tasks you are doing.  If you are getting a beefy multiproc box though, I would probably stay away from linux.  From my experiences at work, linux isn't nearly as good as Windows from a scheduling and processor resource management perspective (especially Windows Server 2003) in multiproc scenarios.

Some of the fancy proprietary forms of unix are very sexy when it comes to stuff like that. But I don't know how you would get your hands on something like QNX / Neutrino or some of the other new dual core / dual proc modified distros.

[quote author=quasi-modo link=topic=14080.msg144178#msg144178 date=1138837424]
Some of the fancy proprietary forms of unix are very sexy when it comes to stuff like that.
[/quote]

Seing as how they're meant for that specific task, I'd hope so.

[quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]
iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.
[/quote]

Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.

[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144264#msg144264 date=1138866821][quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.[/quote]Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.[/quote]

[quote author=Microsoft]After applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.[/quote]

;)

Hah!

[quote author=Kp link=topic=14080.msg144324#msg144324 date=1138926249]
[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144264#msg144264 date=1138866821][quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.[/quote]Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.[/quote]

[quote author=Microsoft]After applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.[/quote]

;)
[/quote]

Disable automatic updates?  ;p

But then you won't get the update... lol that's funny.

[quote author=iago link=topic=14080.msg144084#msg144084 date=1138772374]
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux. 

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found. 
[/quote]

Says more about those applications than the server.  It's quite easy to create a great install package for Windows programs.

also try wamp for a windows server

Ubuntu is great for servers, tons of support and regular releases.

[quote author=Kp link=topic=14080.msg144324#msg144324 date=1138926249]
[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144264#msg144264 date=1138866821][quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.[/quote]Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.[/quote]

[quote author=Microsoft]After applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.[/quote]

;)
[/quote]

Hah. Not to mention Windows has a tendancy to suddenly stop dead in it's tracks. No BSOD or anything.

[quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144737#msg144737 date=1139182319]
[quote author=Kp link=topic=14080.msg144324#msg144324 date=1138926249]
[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144264#msg144264 date=1138866821][quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.[/quote]Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.[/quote]

[quote author=Microsoft]After applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.[/quote]

;)
[/quote]

Hah. Not to mention Windows has a tendancy to suddenly stop dead in it's tracks. No BSOD or anything.
[/quote]huh... I run w2k advanced server and I can get two week long uptimes without any loss of service, provided that the power is constant. Sounds to me like you have encountered some sort of hardware failure or have a bad install because that certainly isn't the norm.

[quote author=quasi-modo link=topic=14080.msg144791#msg144791 date=1139210526]
[quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144737#msg144737 date=1139182319]
[quote author=Kp link=topic=14080.msg144324#msg144324 date=1138926249]
[quote author=JTN Designer link=topic=14080.msg144264#msg144264 date=1138866821][quote author=Joe link=topic=14080.msg144105#msg144105 date=1138799261]iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.[/quote]Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.[/quote]

[quote author=Microsoft]After applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.[/quote]

;)
[/quote]

Hah. Not to mention Windows has a tendancy to suddenly stop dead in it's tracks. No BSOD or anything.
[/quote]huh... I run w2k advanced server and I can get two week long uptimes without any loss of service, provided that the power is constant. Sounds to me like you have encountered some sort of hardware failure or have a bad install because that certainly isn't the norm.
[/quote]

I've had my w3k box up for well over 30 days.

[quote author=quasi-modo link=topic=14080.msg144791#msg144791 date=1139210526]huh... I run w2k advanced server and I can get two week long uptimes without any loss of service, provided that the power is constant. Sounds to me like you have encountered some sort of hardware failure or have a bad install because that certainly isn't the norm.[/quote]

What happens at the end of that two weeks?

[quote author=Lord[nK] link=topic=14080.msg144798#msg144798 date=1139212337]
I've had my w3k box up for well over 30 days.
[/quote]

I want a w3k box.