Hi all Linux gurus

I think that I will try the daring step and try to install linux in one of my boxes, to play around with at the beginning but later on to replace the Windows 2K server that I have to run threads.
Bare in mind that Linux is nothing more than a word to me right now so please be patient with my dumb questions

I want to know what version of linux is advisable to install
How to install
Where to get (buy or download)
What version of PHP
What version of MySQL
What version of Apache.
How will I be able to access the box.
Bare in mind that although I was used to the command prompt and the good old DOS days (gosh I remember version 1.3

) I have no idea what is going on with Linux.
Any online resources books, etc. will be most appreciated.
Thanks to all in advance
Warm regards
Nikos