Hey guys. I'm basically starting up a coding project with my friend, and am about to set up a server on an older P4 windows box I have lying around. I'm looking to install linux, and I'm wondering what the best distro for me would be. I'm looking to have SSH capabilities, one or two SQL databases, some sort of photo database (not sure how that will be implemented yet), and a subversion repository for objective-C code. The box is a P4 2.8 ghz, 800mhz FSB, 1 or 2 gb of DDR2 RAM (can't remember), 80 GB hard drive, and a 128 MB video card. This is going to be a server, so GUI stuff has little to no importance. Thanks guys!

For the most part distros are a collection of parts. Since you want only a few parts that is rather easy. Many distros can be installed just as you wish. Might have to fiddle with some. As for speed that may end up being the issue. I'd look at OpenSolaris or Solaris also but Centros, Ubuntu server, Gentoo if you want to built it exactly, some suggest Linux from scratch ( and I do mean scratch). and Suse/Opensuse are good places to start. See also distrowatch. Like I said, almost any distro can do what you want. Tends to be the install and how fine you what it tuned. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10