I was thinking more media server than file server Though it would be sensible to have a second backup

sme will still be better than ubuntu at that. its still file serving at the end of the day

Can I use webmin with sme?

No, but no need

Ive downloaded it I will install it later today, I am guessing there is no desktop environment with SME and reading the webpage it looks very nerdy. That said Ubuntu looked easy but its harder than it looks to set up

A GUI is only any use locally. Sme has its own we min type web interface

James how do i get putty onto SME? Ive sussed how to get putty to work with SME now but I cant get a normal comand line so I can install software?

Enable it in server manager under remote access

I sussed that too now you have to log in as root otherwise you dont get the command line. The command lines are not the same as ubuntu command lines Ive just got used to Ubuntu and now I have to get my head round SME. that said I can already see my drives on my windows networks I was strugling to access the on ubtu.

 

Ive ordered a couple of 3tb drives and some 8g ram I will have a play with SME and see how I get on

Only need that much ram if your going to virtualise on it too