Tempted to try a linode

I am in the market for a new UK based VPS and am interested in a Linode.

Any information on when backup will be available and likely costs?

Also can anyone point me in the right direction:

I don't want to run my own local mail server or DNS, I want to use Linode DNS and perhaps google apps mail. I need LAMP server, possibly with a lightweight control panel (with the option to disable FTP).

Is there a template / image for this?

I am fairly comfortable on the command line, but would not feel 100% confident in server security (any articles here?)

Thank you for your time!