RE: linux version (fwd)

From: Jay DeSotel (jay@interl.net)
Date: 01/23/03

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    Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 12:40:34 -0600 (CST)
From: Jay DeSotel <jay@interl.net>
To: security-basics@securityfocus.com

    > We are finally going to jump into the linux world (we've been using
    > windows) . Everything I read suggests linux for security based
    > solutions. My initial open-ende dquestion is .. Is there a
    > preferable maker/version of linux that we should start with.
    > Considerations include:
    >
    > security strength
    Redhat or Slackware, but your flavor choice makes a pretty small
    difference here, see below.

    > Hardware compatibility
    Redhat or Slackware, again not a big deal, see below.

    > Learning curve (important but not critical)
    Probably Redhat, see below again.

    > Ease of configuring
    Redhat, and to an extent Slackware

    > Software compatibility
    Doesnt matter.

    > Scalability
    Doesnt matter.

    Redhat has been a little more "newbie" friendly, but in my opinion loses
    some quality in doing so. Myself I swear by Slackware these days. Just
    keep in mind that when you are talking security, or the lack thereof, the
    box is only as secure as the person(s) that maintain it. If you keep
    everything updated and dont have services open that you dont need, things
    are fine 99% of the time on almost any *nix.

    I dont use RPM's anymore, I install everything from source. Redhats
    up2date and RPM systems are very nice for people new to *nix though.

    This is all my opinion, and may not make any sense to anyone reading this,
    I should not answer emails when I have very little sleep under my belt
    ;-).

    Cheers, 

    --
AA7C EF9F 451F E4AF EB1E  7212 BA37 2882 E813 5B02
--
Jay DeSotel
Systems Administrator
InterLink L.C.
<jay@interl.net>
Voice-(319)524-2895
Fax-(319)524-3175

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