setting up my mail server

[spellsinger]

i have recently set out on the task of setting up my own home server, the web site i am hosting is my dads gardening site which was originally hosted by page zone, after he had his account closed due to there apparently being some hack files in his folders.currently his site uses the following:

PHP for the gallery - Perl for the random images and the form.
the client dataBase needs mySQL & PHP.
a mail server so that he can retain his mail services.
and then he needs a control panel. page zone used cpanel. so something simlilar would be useful.

so far i have downloaded all of the necessary parts for it...
i have opted to go with the xitami web server.
mysql 4.0.20a
activeperl 5.8
php 4.3.6
and the mai lserver i am using is mercury mail.

the problem i am having is configuring all of these components, i have done extensive research but have not found much of any use, everything refers back to using apache, i originally tried using apache 2 but have recently found xitami to be more user friendly.
if anyone has any comments or suggestions i would be extremely greatful

[webchef]

first of all.. this is probably the wrong forum to be asking this in.. second.. use apache man.. its much simpler once you get past the (quick and easy) learning curve.

[spellsinger]

i am gonna get apache back up and running and persevere with it, the only reason i went to xitami was because php set itself up easier with it initially
do u know any good sites that offer a giude for setting it all up

[webchef]

the readme files that come with each installation is all you really need.

you won't have much trouble. if you do, pm me and i'll try to help.