I am currently sharing some files with a few other people over the internet. I setup a Redhat box running Apache and am authorizing the users using htpassword files. The Redhat box is using Samba to log on to a shared directory on my windows machine read only. It allows the other people to log on and download the current copy of the file and view it. This is primitive but it works and is fairly safe.
Now I would like to improve on my idea without spending to much and am looking for ideas. I am a novice programmer in C++, Java, VB6 ( meaning I have taken a class in these but don’t do any production development). This is purely a personal project.
I am looking for advice and I am able to switch web servers to Tomcat or IIS if needed.

Thanks

Personally I'd be inclined to simplify by storing the files on the RH box and then you can upload them via Samba (RH is then the server) or ftp or scp etc.
It's one less box involved from the external user's pt of view.
Prob easier to keep secure.