Is it possible to use the free version of SuSe as a Apache webserver? If so how does this differ from SuSe Server, and do I have to pay for license for the free SuSe if I am using it for a business?

If, by free version, you mean SuSE 9.2/9.3, then yes. SuSE Enterprise Server(not free - though, you can download an "eval" version from Novell. I've done this in the past, and it works fine after thirty days - without updates and support of course). The desktop oriented SuSE comes with the YaST module for Apache as well as the regular Apache packages. SLES has support from Novell and probably will have updates for longer(though, I think you can still get some sort of updates for SuSE 8.2). I think it has a few packages(like server oriented stuff) that SuSE Desktop doesn't have, and SLES doesn't have as much as the desktop oriented stuff.

Uncategorically yes.
Oops, internal study required. What are the differences that are important to you.

YAST. This is the whole selling point for using SuSe over lets say Ubuntu. Which is fine for my desktop, but I'm really a newbie when it comes to setting up and maintaining a server.



I will be using it as a web and a email server. Is there a CentOS type of distro for SuSe so that has longer security updates?

Bumping my questions just in case anyone knows.

Suse has continuous updates available, as and when they are issued, for the whole system.
Just use "online update" in Yast. For 9.3 and previous versions this is free. For SLE its part of your support contract.

The support for the "free" version ie 9.3 is for install period only whilst the SLE "non-free" version is by support contract and will cost you, so it depends on what scale of business you are looking at as to which way you go.

Having said that there are plenty of forums including this one and Novell's own that will give as much support as you need for most purposes.

Ok thanks. I was hoping there would be a community that supported free updates, but I guess thats only for the other distro's.

oldstikyfish implies there's no support for the SuSE releases. IMHO those words are two strong and not necessarily true. About every six months SuSE generates a new release bundling all updates. Initially, its available for a small fee. Updates are also available for free from SuSE for a number of releases back. New releases minus any licensed additions are available for free a few months after the commercial release. The various components of a distro are supported by the creators and are available on their web sites. I've been able to update many components before SuSE has had the chance to release them. Ergo there are many layers of free support.

I really like the Novell/SuSe/Ximian work. There's no doubt in my mind that its worth every penny spent on their distrobutions. But what makes there work more important then lets say Debians or Slackwares? They provide gratuis all the updates, and have a wonderfull community as well.
What I would really like at best is to see YAST ported to the complete Gnu/linux community, this is the whole vantage point for using SUSE for a private use, and new Linux users.

More important? No. But also less important no also.
Suse has always provided it's versions for free FTP install.
Personally, I have (almost always) been impressed with YAST as a configuration tool.
Updates are still available for my 9.1 from Suse itself and there is a great unofficial RPM site at http://packman.links2linux.org/
I agree with fragos comments and do not really understand what you are complaining about.
Suse is Suse like Slackware is Slackware like Debian is Debian etc. etc.

What I'm complaining about you may have answered. Im trying to find a third party that participates in providing security updates for SuSe. Does http://packman.links2linux.org/ do this with apt4rpm perhaps?