[Cyber Liberty]

I'd just be happy to get a machine set up here that works remotely like the UNIX workstations I use during the day....

[Golden Eagle]

I'd just be happy to get a machine set up here that works remotely like the UNIX workstations I use during the day....

You can use Apple's OSX for that, it's actually based on a Unix core. Or there's also Sun "x86" Solaris, a version of Unix for Intel processors. Version 10 should be out in march, and lots of commercial software will be available for it shortly after.

Sun Solaris Operating System for x86 Platforms

Although the new version will expose some of it's code, it will adhere to a new more protective license, and is incompatible with Linux's "GPL" which gives anyone in the world the right to copy, rename, modify and even resell without any return revenue to the proprietors.

[ShadowAce]

Another distribution that has been getting a lot of good press lately is Ubuntu, which is a nice little, speedy, debian-based distro. Also, if you go to their site, you may request copies be mailed to you via USPS--no postage or handling, either. Fill out the form, and they will send it to you free.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I'd just be happy to get a machine set up here that works remotely like the UNIX workstations I use during the day....

Do mean you want a file server that Windows PCs can save files to?

If so, all you have to do is install Samba server on a Linux box.