I'm currently downloading a Core version of Zenwalk 3.0 to install on one of my desktops, so i was wondering about it's reliability as a server, and whether it's good for networking in general?

as you might have guessed this's not my main machine so i don't care much about multimedia, though, i'm not really an experienced linux user so i prefer to use GUI software, does the core version provide enough gui programs for extensive networking use (mainly file serving, web hosting, and remote desktop connection)

help is very much appreciated, thank you

I would not recommend it!
I am using it now, but there are a lot of problems. For a reliable server, don't go for a x.0 version. Choose something that has a proven record and most of the bugs taken out. Look for a x.2 version at least.

can you explain ... i didn't catch the X.0 X.2. Did you mean Z 3.0 ZW 3.2 ? (if so please re-check the change log on ZW ... 3.0 doesn't mean "with bugs"/"unstable", there is "patchs"/addons/... but as every distrib/system/OS ... and increase of minor number don't always mean more stable.)

Anyway :
i'm using ZW core on 3 servers without problems :
server1 : ZW 2.6/2.8 uptime > 100 days (apache, bind, squid, ...)
server2 : ZW 3.0 samba mostly
server3 : ZW 3.0

only one thing (going to change in few weeks i think) : i didn't get lots of ZW server packages, i used slackware's ones (but still with a ZW system).

Minor numbers DO make a huge difference on the expected stability generally.
As the questioner stated that he wanted GUI based software, then Zenwalk 3.0 has problems particularly with the thunar file manager. Thunar itself is very young and not developed sufficiently at this stage in my opinion, although it has great potential for the future. If, or when, Zenwalk reaches version 3.2 or 3.3, then hopefully it can be considered.

3.2 will have a major X change (i don't even know if it will 3.2 or 4.0) as next ZW will use xorg 7.x .

Anyway, I personaly didn't had much problems on thunar (maybe just because I didn't use it much ).
If i remember well, some peoples complain with the files' associations, but if you have an up to date system it's patched.

BTW ZW's increase it's by 2 (2.2, 2.4, 2.6, ...)

thanks dudes, i'll be installing it soon, and i'll give you a feedback

Zenwalk core is probably one of the most stable operating system for server use.

Why ? - because it's the simplest one

Cheers

JP

That is said with every "core" distribution installation. Especially when your pluging your own product.