I want to buy a monthy linode server will the $10 one be enough to host a small email server with a couple of people?
A low volume e-mail server would probably run on anything.
how does sandstorm connect to the linode server?
I haven't used sandstorm but I would assume you follow the install instructions from their website and install it on your server. I think the first couple of videos Wendell did explain the installation process, maybe have a look at them.
so is sandstorm just used as a UI for the server?
I don't know, I've never used it.
how would I setup an email server without sandstorm. Install the firmware onto the server then setup the domain?
E-mail is a lot more complicated than people think it is. If you don't want to configure everything needed to make e-mail work then just go with something like sandstorm which is pre-configured. If you want to set it up yourself this is the guide I used to set up mine.
Yeah. You don't have to use Ubuntu, but the server needs an OS. It's the same for sandstorm.
I see. But once I have install all the packages ect. its simple right? go to the DNS I set it up as then im in?
If you're configuring your own mail server then no, it's not simple. If you're using sandstorm, then it's probably pretty straight forward, but I haven't done it myself.
k
Sandstorm should be thought of more as a service or application IMO
The sandstorm UI is only for managing sandstorm.