Setting up a server from scratch (zero)

Hi, I’m a freshman girl and I like to ride my own server. I’ve been reading a lot these days, and I’ve chosen to install nginx instead of apache, mysql, php and git instead of ftp. I would also like to have an email service, will use iredmail.

I have already installed Git. What I want to do with git?. I tell you, I use netbeans for my php (maybe not the best, but I will well and I like it), when I’m making a website is synchronized with github (I give commit and push and I step on the platform). That’s what I want that but on my server. When I finished making a page (for example nav.php) netbeans I commit to you and push and already have it on my hosted server, and people can see that change.

I installed the application iredmail I from my website I can see my email but I can not send or receive messages. Will you be able to explain to me how to do it?

For nginx, mysql and php I have read that there are “tricks” to go faster, “tricks” on safety tips that should make my web site is safer and faster.

And finally, what do you prefer ubuntu server 14.04 or debian 7.0 ?

Thank you for your attention.