I am brand new to UNIX. I am planning on setting up a server/workstation in a few months and I am trying to do some research. If I have a brand new computer with absolutely nothing installed on it how do I install UNIX? What setup would be best for personal web hosting and serving a network of about 20-30 people? I am confused about how to actually install UNIX on a computer and what the different versions are all about.
I suppose the best for you would be to try a live CD/DVD of something good like knoppix...
Let it configure itself, try to create yourself a small temporary swap then look what you can do and learn.
IMHO if its a server you want, then look for true server OS like SUSE CentOS or debian
UNIX is not a Windows replacement; if you must run Windows programs, use Windows.
It's technically possible to load and run Windows programs on an x86 Linux system through Wine. Windows-compatibility is a continuous uphill battle to keep up with Microsoft's nonstop API changes and extensions, so compatibility isn't good enough to guarantee a new graphics-intensive program will operate. Conversely, some older games run better in Wine than they do in modern Windows: older API's still work in Wine even after MS guts them and leaves them to rot.