Networking options? ubuntu pc + emac

Hi.

I'm an ubuntu user who Just scored an Apple eMac, with 0S X, a 700 Mhz
CPU, 384 meg RAM and 32 meg nvidia graphics.

I'm planning on using it in my lounge room as a multimedia player (mp3s,
vids, DVDs.)

Unfortunately, it's only got a 40gig HD. So, it would be ideal if I could
somehow network it to the linux box in my study which has a 300gig HD.
Ideally, I would like to use the emac basically as a terminal and player
for the multimedia stored on the other system.

I've never networked anything before (unless you count my adsl modem). Can
somebody give me a run down of my options?

PS: OS X is nice, but I'm used to linux with gnome/xfce desktops. Do you
think there'd be anything to be gained by wiping OS X and installing some
ppc linux?