Let me start by saying I'm not a linux Newb, and don't want this to be the typical "which one is better" question thats been posted 6 billion times. I know better. BUT I would like some advise on a Business-able disto. I'm Between CentOS and Suse, I'm leaning towards CentOS due to the fact that in reality it's RHEL. I figured since most linux software for business has been set up for RHEL I would minimize problems. It won't be a major setup maybe 4-5 computers to start and possibly a dedicated server at some point. Mostly for Office Apps and some type of CRM software (I'll take suggestions). And hopefully get some accounting software running stable-y. (Quasar?) Any recommendations would be great. Doing everything from 2 macs right now, to expensive to go that way for an office. REALLY don't want to go MS. Thanks

I value EVERYONE'S opinion but I'm really looking for one that comes from experience in an actual office / network setup. Thanks

Hi snatale1,
I recommend you to use (K)Ubuntu or Debian, the 'most free' distros after Slakware (the 'most difficult' ). May use Ubuntu for desktop computers and Debian for the server. Ubuntu because it's very simple to install and upgrade and it has lots of good programs for normal use on its default repositories.

We work with these distros and we are really happy with them. Sometimes you get some error (for example in Debian, it recognizes disks by its BIOS position instead of its UUID, as Ubuntu does by default), but are minor errors that you can easily correct. Upgrading is really easy and it gets easier every release. You also have LTS (Long Term Support), that means that everything you install will be supported by Ubuntu people (Canonical) for a 5 years term. And also you will get great help from Internet (free: forums, blogs, wikis, LQ, ...) and from professionals (paying: Canonical Partners) if you need it.

Debian is very similar to Ubuntu (Ubuntu IS a Debian), but for more sophisticated servers (Clusters, Internet services server, ...) it has good/better support.

Tell us more about what you have and what you need and the orientation will probably be better.

See you over here!!
emi

I personally use OpenSuSE for the non-critical servers, and either SuSE Enterprise or RedHat Enterprise for the critical servers. I do this, because the vendors I deal with, support the whole setup...if I run on supported hardware with a supported OS, I avoid any finger pointing when there's an issue I can't resolve myself. One phone call gets lots of people working on it.

I know you said you want to stay with a free OS, and either Centos or OpenSuSE are great. I lean towards SuSE, but that's my preference...I've had very good luck with it, and it's essentially the same as the SuSE enterprise linux, just as Centos is with RHEL.

I agree with emi_ramo...knowing your needs will help get a better recommendation. If this is for your company, do consider a paid-for-support version, only to keep downtime to a minimum, in case of a problem. The community does give great support, but the pay-for versions have a huge list of supported, certified hardware and configurations, along with setup info and the lot, to help you along.

I think that the first thing that you want to determine are your support requirements. It seems likely that for 'enterprise-y' applications that you do have a support requirement of some kind, even if it is 'if i know it well enough, I'll be able to support it myself'. (Which sounds a bit like a training requirement in disguise and also sounds a bit risky if things ever do go pear-shaped.)

If that means that you need to go for 'paid for' support, then you have to go for paid-for support.