Linux web hosting / LAMP

[Uri Even-Chen]

Hi,

I want to build a new social networking website called Speedy Net. I
want to use PHP, Javascript and MySQL (LAMP). I am considering where
to host this website, where one of the options is using Rackspace
Cloud [http://www.rackspacecloud.com]. If I use Rackspace Cloud, I
will need to select what type of hosting I want - cloud servers
(managed or not), cloud sites or cloud files
[https://signup.rackspacecloud.com/signup?id=1238]. I also need to
select what Linux distribution to use
[http://www.rackspacecloud.com/cloud_hosting_products/servers/technology/index.php#os_apps].
The available options are:

Arch 2010.05
CentOS 5.5
CentOS 5.4
Debian 5.0 (Lenny)
Fedora 14 (Laughlin)
Fedora 13 (Goddard)
Fedora 12 (Constantine)
Gentoo 10.1
Oracle EL R5U4
Oracle EL R5U3 JEOS
Red Hat EL 5.4
Red Hat EL 5.3
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx)
Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)
Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)
Ubuntu 8.04.2 LTS (Hardy Heron)

I don't know which distribution to choose! I only used Red Hat Linux,
about 10 years ago, and even if I select Red Hat - I don't know which
one. I don't know the difference between distributions, I just know I
need LAMP.

What do you recommend?

Also, I understand if I choose an unmanaged server, I will need to
install everything myself - including Apache, PHP and MySQL? Or are
they installed in the distributions?

How do I backup the database and files? Do I need to select a managed server?

I also received a list of PHP Web Hosting
[http://www.webhostingreport.com/best-php-hosting.html], but I'm quite
suspicious of "unlimited" web hosting, for around $3.50 per month. How
can web hosting be unlimited? Do I really get an unlimited website for
$3.50 per month?!?

Thanks,
Uri Even-Chen
Mobile Phone: +972-50-9007559
E-mail: uri at speedy.net
Website: http://www.speedy.net/