Recommend a barebones PC to put Linux on

[BakedSardine]

I want to goof around with Linux, but really don't want to dual-boot the main family PC, and need a recommendation (links if you can provide them) for a barebones PC I can throw Linux (probably the latest flavor of Ubuntu) on.

Long term I probably want to use it to host my own email server and mess around with some other ways to decentralize my stuff.

The other thing I'm looking to do is use it to teach my kids how computers and software actually work - I don't think most kids today even understand the concept of a file system.

 

[AWAR]

-snip

Best way to goof around with many different distros is through virtual machines, imho.
Download Oracle's VM Virtual Box and go crazy.
[small]make sure your CPU supports virtualization of course, most newer ones do.[/small]

EDIT: hmm.. you want to use it for other stuff too.. Well any PC will do. Just make sure it has at least 1 gig of ram.