I would recommend Ubuntu Server 10.04 LTS (long time support - 5 years for ongoing bug & security fixes, and such).
Also, Ubuntu is in focus now, has great community and a most of recent books on Linux target Ubuntu (which is valid factor for educating people on new platform).
Ubuntu is great for first linux install.
I've tried other distros, but I'm working on and recommending Ubuntu.
I'm currently testing Ubuntu Server x64 10.04 LTS with pg 9.0 and looks good so far.
On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 4:44 PM, Chris Browne
<cbbrowne@acm.org> wrote:
mgould@intermodalsoftwaresolutions.net (Michael Gould) writes:
> What and why should I look at certain distributions? It appears from
> what I read, Ubanta is a good desktop but not a server.
There are Ubuntu versions that don't promise support (e.g. - ongoing bug
& security fixes, and such) for nearly as long as one might like.
The sorts of distributions that do promise such things for longer
include:
- Red Hat RHAS and such;
- OpenSuSE;
- CentOS;
- Debian
You'll find people that are fans of each of these. Not knowing any
particular basis to infer your preferences (and you mayn't be aware of
such, either!), it's tough to give any strong suggestions.
I don't think you'd be steered woefully wrong with any of them.
--
"I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked
with the best people, and can assure you that data processing is a fad
that won't last out the year". -- Business books editor, Prentice
Hall 1957