all of the systems that I will run as a server will be debian at a command line with no user interface, the servers are always stripped out locked down units that sit in there own area of the network on the only way to them is via a management server that only has SSH installed on it with private keys (just for the linux servers) to get to a private management lan. so i'm not a total novice but i'm by no means good with linux i know enough to support squid and to make good use of SSH. i only typically only have one or two servers... but i will be with work deploying a server farm of linux boxes
its a shame that the debian OS has a naff GUI
I think i will start with linux Mint and see where I go!