There are some Linux-derived "server in a box" distros that essentially install as servers on any old hardware, and usually let you set up your config without needing to know how to edit the various config files. I haven't played with any in a long time, but ClarkConnect is one that I recall seemed to have a fairly easy setup.
Hm... now called "ClearOS," apparently.
This looks like a decent howto: http://linuxhomeserverguide.com/
Hm... now called "ClearOS," apparently.
This looks like a decent howto: http://linuxhomeserverguide.com/