I will speak for myself. What I mean is if somebody wants a home server for security SmoothWall (which is Linux I believe), OpenBSD (if a person is capable of setting it up), or Mac OS X Server might be good choices.
For storing data an external hard drive works well and with the right software and hardware it can be setup for automatic operation.
I don't know if Windows Home Server is the least capable server for home use or not. I have never used it. At work we use Unix and Windows Server 2003.
I just can't see the typical home owner needing a server. Unless a person is running a website from home or a small business. I am not trying to put down the average home computer user. But an external hard drive can be setup for automatic backup of data and it is easier to setup than a home server. The home server is an addtional computer and something like $180.00 for Windows Home Server. An external hard drive costs less.
Some of the most capable people I have ever met around computers were creative people who did wonderful things in photo editing, computer graphics, illustration, page layout, video editing, etc. Most of these people used Macs and many used Windows. Most of them had little ability to setup a server.
Some of the least capable people I ever met around computers were people who thought they knew everything there was to know.
The most brillant person I know when it comes to computers is a woman. She could probably work for Microsoft or Apple if she really wanted to. She can program Unix, Windows, etc. She is completely different from the typical 'Hacker' stereotype. She has written, by herself, specialized software just for us that we need for our work. We use a lot of specialized software. A lot of that software was written for Unix.
Another woman in IT is in a music band when she is not working. A very talented person who can play musical instruments and sing.
The guy who used to run the ISP I used for a while was fantastic with Linux servers. He loved motorcycles and was a biker.
My brother-in-law works with spacecraft and missle equipment and his two sons are now working for the same company. They build equipment for satellites and space probes. They are whiz kids when it comes to computers. If I needed a network setup I would go to them.
But aside from a modem/router/firewall and my computer I don't need a home server and a network. My ISP has the servers.