FileServer - ubuntu server Spec &questions

[smogsy]

Im looking into getting a Fileserver to host
Media Library (Apple Lossless)
Video Library - SD Maybe some 720p
& to learn more about Unix get familiar with it

To stream to: 1 Vista PC 1 MacPro 1 Macbook 1 Dell Laptop & maybe PS3?

i'm thinking of installing Ubuntu Server Edition (recommended by a mate) but would listen to other reccomendations

regarding PC spec what sort of specification will i require to stream music/video to OSX & Vista around the house via Ethernet?

i been looking online
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-239-OK (looks like a cracky deal)
although work have some Computers they are lobbing out so i might grab one of them

Im sure they are
P4 2.4ghz
1GB DDR
80GB

i would upgrade the ram/HDD but processor wise do you think it be capable?

anything else i should be looking at?

 

[smogsy]

Thankyou for your help,

im going to look at debain & FreeNAS

I did try to run them in virtualbox but i couldnt get it install from a .iso rather than a disk, i looked online & found that in the settings i had to set use iso from disk but on my version (lastest) it doesnt have that option