From: Tim X Date: 2007-02-11T13:50:05+09:00 Subject: Re: Linux OS Thomas Hafner writes: > "M. Edward (Ed) Borasky" wrote/schrieb <45C8AB13.9040006@cesmail.net>: > >> As you state, Ubuntu is a desktop OS > > There's also a server flavour of Ubuntu: > . > > Thomas I also think that if the OP just want to experiment with a GNU Linux system, in either a server or desktop configuration, either Ubuntu or Ubuntu server will do fine. Same goes with Debian or RedHat. Typically, the differences between a desktop specific distro and a server distro are irrelevant for experimentation and learning purposes. Most of the server oriented distros only differ fromt he desktop ones by having less desktop oriented add-ons (often they are included, but you have to select them manually), with the desktop distros, its the reverse, most of the key server stuff is there, its just not installed by default. Some packages may be slightly different, such as being compiled with options to support a server configuration (i.e. maybe set to use more file descriptors or with more restrictive but secure options to incrase system security etc). If all you really want is a linux box that has a web server, ruby, rails, a database and associated ruby packages, then any modern desktop distro will be fine. there is no need to worry about desktop vs server until you decide to get serious about developing server based apps in ruby and even then, you probably don't have to be too concerned until you get tot he UAT and production stages. regards, Tim -- tcross (at) rapttech dot com dot au