Choosing a non-windows server OS

I am getting a new server and I would like to install a non-windows OS.

I don't at all mind learning to do things a new way, as long as I can accomplish all the things I do on my aging windows 2000 server.

However, I have been trying to read up on my options for the last 2 weeks and the wildly opposing viewpoints leaves me feeling dazed and confused. Is there anything out there that summarizes pro/cons of the different offerings (ubuntu/freesuse/freebsd/etc) so a person can make an informed choice?

Thanks so much.