All,

I've used a few distro's and have settled on Arch Linux for now...

However this is my delima..

I am seeking a distro that has the following characteristics..
-- Source based Package manager
-- Create own packages easily for offline repository (backend machines)
-- Init.d scripts are located in /etc/init.d
-- rc run levels in seperate dirs. (/etc/rc0.d, rc3.d, etc..)
-- configuration of network interfaces in seperate files (like RH)
-- Not dependant on gui. (CLI install with kickstartish options)


Arch has satified alot of my requirements however, I dislike the
"rc.conf" where everthing is located (startup scripts/network/hostname).

I've run Solaris 9 @ work for a yr or so and like a few things about it..
However I know there isn't a silver bullet...

FC1-4 was my fav for a few years until it seemed bloated in FC3 and FC4,
then I switched to arch...


Thanks for the help,
Joe

Since you're familiar with linux why don't you give yourself more challenge than newbie's distro such as FC. Take Suse or Slackware. Once taken you'll never live these babies!

SlackerLX,

Give me some good indepth features of slackware...

Example, How's the init process?

what type of package management?

Source install's.. How's the security out of the box..?

Or send me a good indepth link to follow?


Thanks,

Joe

Here you can read the most comprehensive review about all that you've asked
http://www.madpenguin.org/cms/?m=show&id=4723

Gentoo

Suse is good, but Slackware has its ups too.