What Flavour of Linux ?

[Bolton]

Being new to Unix in general and hearing and reading so much about Linux, I thought it best to ask the forums opinion of the many versions around.

The requirement is to
[1] Use Linux as a server for Tarantella
[2] Use Linux as a Server for email

Thanks John

 

[WoodLark]

You will probably get as many opinions as there are Linux users. It is largely a matter of personal preference. I tend to favor Mandrake and FreeBSD (not Linux strictly speaking). SuSe is also very good, but they tend to put files in unusual locations. Haven't tried Debian, but I here good things. If you are just starting out, Mandrake is probably the easiest to set up.

 

[rycamor]

I agree about FreeBSD (

http://www.freebsd.org)

above: as a server, there's nothing out there that beats it's stability and performance. I know it's not Linux but it's a free Open Source Unix (actually more of a true Unix than Linux, deriving right from the original Berkeley Systems unix). FreeBSD doesn't rely on any graphical desktops (unless you want them), and let's you install only the stuff you need, without endless gigs of applications you will never use

Mandrake is a very cool Linux distro, and my favorite for cool workstation/graphics/multimedia, etc... but I would say, if you want a solid, no-frills server, try Slackware Linux (

http://www.slackware.com).

It's configuration is very similar to FreeBSD, and it tends to run lean & mean, the way you want your server.