guide to setting up an ftp server in linux?
 

I have webhosting with a very fast connection and an absurd amount of bandwidth.

I'd like to set up a server similar to the way people have done for windows here, but I have absolutely no clue how to go about it.

essential things:
account where people can upload but not delete/move anything
account where people can download but not delete/move anything

things I'd like:
the "wildcard" username system that's used on most servers here; ie you log in with your username + a password I define

anyone have any clue how to go about that with either proftpd (preferred) or pure-ftpd? any alternatives? any way I can get a GUI'd server running, and if so, how do I access it? (I normally just use SSH/putty)

I second this; I have tried configuring proftpd before, but it is too difficult for me to figure out, and there are not any step-by-step guides out there.

read about sftp. google it? it's very secure and is a good sort of basic way to host a ftp server. rssh and ftp as well. just google it. "sftp linux". I'm not exactly sure how my friend assisted me in setting it up, but now i have a full time ftp at home.

Serv-U is pretty easy to use. It's a Rhinosoft program I believe.

Doesn't use the "wildcard system"

I've been using it for years.

Correction: yeah I think tenseiken is right. *points below*

Don't believe there is a Linux version of Serv-U.

I'm afraid I can't offer any help on this. My Linux knowledge is pretty limited.