[PLUG] QUick Reccomendation

[Rogan Creswick]

On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 20:01:06 GMT, techmage at aracnet.com
<techmage at aracnet.com> wrote:
> a) easy to install
> b) simple to work from both command and GUI
> c) available as ISO
> d) Useable as both server ware and desktop ware
> e)Full featured
> f) Free

This, and particulary your goals below, scream "Debian", at least in my opinion.

Debian is probably one of the least likely main-stream distros for
going comercial, ala Red Hat.  It's extremely easy to install Debian
with _no_ non-free software at all--this is the default. (adding
non-free is not hard either, and the install prompts you regarding
this).

I would not install debian from ISO though (although you can do this).
 The cd images are quite out of date, and packages are updated
frequently.  The biggest downside to debian is that its packaging
system really /wants/ broadband.  It will work on dialup, or
disconnected.  It's just not as slick, and your system will probably
be a little bit behind the times.

If you choose to go with debian, you will probably want to install the
"Sarge" release, which is one step closer to the bleeding edge than
the "stable" (woody) release.  (Stable, in debian terms, is
rock-solid, in my experience sarge is on par with redhat / mandrake
stable releases.)

-Rogan

> 
> <RANT ON>
> Now, I don't mind paying for a distro that works.
> But it goes along way with me if friends can get it for free.
> I'm about done working with Linux if every time a distro gets to a
> point it is usable to me, they go main street marketing route and
> leave the little guys behind that helped them reach market share. I
> may not be a developer that adds a significant piece of software to
> the package, but I am the guinea pig that runs the dang thing and
> finds flaws. I feel that for my contribution I should be compensated
> by free access to the package. After all, I'm the one investing
> hardware to run the distro on.
> Besides, I'm a cheap old bastard.
> <RANT OFF>
> 
> SO, any suggestions?
> 
> Harry
> 
> (Who is down to one printer)
> "Never give up, Never Surrender!"- Commander Taggert
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