OK, I need some help from our local JU geeksquad (that's all you people who know a lot more about computers than I do). I am currently experimenting with PCLinuxOS. I have never used any other OS besides Windows but am curious to expand my PC knowledge and keep some open ption in case of future OS issues.

Now, I have heard many times before how a Linux server is much better than a Windows server when it comes to have a home network. I currently have 3 PC's at home that currently share internet. I am still learning about networking (since I never had much experience before) and have yet to get all the PC's to talk to each other the right way. I have a lot of movies, music and software I would like to share amonst all the PCs but am always coming across very annoying issues with this. Now, I understand that a Linux PC setup (hardware and stuff) does not require it to be good enough to play Crysis or Call of Duty 4, that a basic PC with some simple but good hardware should be good enough. probably something I can pick up for a couple of hundred bucks. Is this correct to assume?

Well once I can get that PC part sorted out, the real question is this. I want to build a PC with at least 1 TB of space for sharing all my files (music, movies, pictures and stuff) to open up space on my current 3 PC's. I want to able to access these files from any of the PCs, a server, so my question is which would be better suited for the job. Linux or Windows? The reason I ask is because I am not sure how Windows and Linux work together when it comes to using the server as a Linux box. Apart from Linux being considered much more solid, less buggy and much more secure than Windows, it also does not seem to require super-duper, $5000, state of the art, hardware to run it.

So what can you guys /gals say, should I venture into creating a server with Linux or should I stick to Windows? A few links to some good sources would be well appreciated.