Okay you guys. You know I am looking to move to a new host. And away from Bill Gates.
Anyway, Since Linux is all new to me I have some questions about moving from a shared hosting plan to a VPS.
Of course my first consideration is to support UBB.

1. What to look for in a VPS plan

2. What linux flavor is best?( I guess a loaded question).

3. I assume I will need to install what is needed for UBB myself. Such as Mysql,PHP. yada,yada.

4. What about email accounts? Most hosts say you have a email server but do I have to install software to have pop accounts.

3. What software tools will I need to manage a vps.

4. Are there additional third party software costs I need to consider for managing a VPS.

I know it is a lot of questions but I am looking for direction on how to migrate to a Linux system as well as a vps.

Well, you'll want say 256-512mb dedicated ram (we use 384mb ram with a 1gb swap space) and say 10-20gb space? Depends on your needs really...

I myself prefer CentOS for servers (it's a debranded RedHat Enterprise Linux, some places may also have Fedora which is also a RedHat varient).

If you use CentOS (or a redhat clone) it's as easy as typing: yum install apache, etc. You may consider hiring someone to setup the server for you...

Myself, I prefer using Google Apps for my email; think of it, your server goes down you're screwed for access; whereas google has numerous backup servers (and it's free, and you get like 500 email accounts with pop3/imap/smtp); which frees up your server from having to host email (and spamfilters).

I use Webmin and Virtualmin to manage my server; why? they're free for starters .

as for costs, well, if you hire someone to setup your server there would be that, but picking something to run it (server software other than webmin) can cost...

Sorry Ruben, I haven't been keeping up with your plight. Do you really need a 'dedicated' server? (Or VPS)

I have my site on a shared Linux server.

MySQL databases are created via the admin CP panel.

POP accounts are created via the CP panel.

PHP & Perl are updated as and when...

The OS was Red-Hat, changed to Fedora, then to Ubuntu - they keep it up to date and I don't have to worry.

To be honest, I am reluctant to go 'dedicated' - I don't want the headache (or maybe that's a euphemism for 'chicken')

Thanks Gizmo.
You mentioned YUM.
I read that somewhere but I could not find a good unbiased reference again.
I seem to recall that is a command to use but was suggested to use a utility such as (Putty?)

That is the point of my question on software needed.
I guess what I really need is a good reference to learn what I need.

I may need a person such as yourself to go to a vps first time around but I would like to also learn for myself in time. Just anal that way.

Thanks for the server hardware/software suggestions.

Thanks Driv.
My first hurdle is to overcome the change from IIS to Linux. I really don't have issues with my current host I have been with them since 2000 just some small nit noid stuff due to windows settings. So I came to the decision to change to Linux.
Looking at posts here I see issues with bandwidth and Mysql settings(# of connections, String length for search). So I see that I may also need to go to at least a vps to avoid those issues.
Also I am planning to go Gold next year on UBB.
So I will need to juggle some funds in the budget at least the first year. Then If I make it for a few months with whatever then I will probably need to go to a vps at a minimum.

But while you are posting who are you using?

yum is a utility on (some) linux servers (commonly redhat derivitives) which allows you to update (yum update title) or install (yum install title) software/utilities on a linux utility.

Putty (or the ssh.com client, which is no longer officially available by them) is a client which is used to access a SSH server, in which you'd execute commands on your linux server

Basically no real difference what the OS is for most of it unless you're the one that is tasked with setting it all up.
There are different plans and some they manage the OS overall and you still have Admin rights on it, others pretty much install the basic OS and setup security - then you're on your own. Some even install basic OS and all is left to you.

So just make sure you know which one you get and what your support and backup options are and what you're comfortable with.

SSH with Putty is nice and I use if from my system from time to time as needed.

To both of you Gizmo and ntdoc.
What is the suggested utility to use for SSH. Since I have never used it before. Not available with my current windows host.

Well, if you can find it, i've always enjoyed the SSH.com client (which they don't publish anymore); though Putty is decent

Any other options for ssh?