Choosing a distribution

[Derek Broughton]

Chris G wrote:

> On Mon, Nov 05, 2007 at 05:40:53PM +0000, Tony Arnold wrote:
>> Chris,
>> 
>> Chris G wrote:
>> > I have been using Linux for many years, for the past two or three
>> > years I have been using Slackware but recently have been looking for
>> > something that's a bit easier to maintain and update.
>> > 
>> > I've been using Fedora 7 for the past month or two and it provides
>> > some of what I need but also has some disadvantages.  So, I'm thinking
>> > about an Ubuntu distribution but would like to ask a few questions:-
>> > 
>> >     I need an apache server, an ssh server and (probably) mySql.  Does
>> >     this mean I *have* to go for Ubuntu Server?
>> 
>> No, all of the above will run on the Ubnuntu desktop systems. I run
>> Apache and an ssh server on my desktop system.
>> 
> So what does Ubuntu Server give me (or lose me) that the other Ubuntus
> don't?
> 
Nothing.  The various faces of Ubuntu are just ways to get everything onto a
single CD.  So Kubuntu doesn't contain Gnome apps, Ubuntu doesn't contain
KDE apps, Server doesn't contain either but contains lots of servers.  But
they all use the same repositories, so installing anything else off the net
is simple.

>> There is no difference between doing su and supplying the root password
>> and type sudo -i and supplying your own password, so I've never
>> understood the big deal that is made of this.
>> 
> There is, once you've become root you can issue lots of commands as
> root rather than prefixing everything you do with sudo.

Just like "sudo -i".  As he said, "there is no difference". 

>> Personally, I prefer the sudo way.
>> 
> I guess it's just habit, having been a Unix user since the 1980s I
> find the 'old fashioned' way of becoming root more comfortable.  :-)

Yes, it's _just_ habit, but it doesn't make any sense from a security view.
-- 
derek