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I currently use Windows 2003 Server with IIS and MySQL as my web server for Geeklog.

I am thinking of either upgrading to Windows 2008 or use Linux instead?

My background is all Windows so I know very little about Linux.

If I decide on Linux, which version do I want?

I know I would need Apache but what email (pop3), DNS and virus software is reccommended?

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One of the Geeklog Core Developers.

Ubuntu is getting popular. I use CentOS 5.

Peace!

Sam

Your question about Linux as server-operating system is not answered that easy. Basically you need to start by asking yourself the question how much support do I need, Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora have excellent “free” support forums. But, the support you could get from unofficial support forums is mostly concentrated on the desktop use and basic hardware support.

With that in mind you have to look at your hardware and compare if your current hardware is supported. For example if you where running a Intel Matrix-Storage RAID configuration from your Intel motherboard chipset you probably out of luck, currently Intel has some beta-drivers for its chipsets, and it should be clear that beta-drivers are not intended for the use in a server configuration.

RedHat has an excellent server Linux distribution, it comes with 24-hour service and it has proven to be very secure. CentOS is basically the same, they recompile the same open-source packages as are included in the RedHat server packages, but service for Centos is based on community contribution…

Using the latest Fedora distribution is a bit playing with fire, while Fedora 10 is surely up to the task of running a web-server… it is not guaranteed bullet proof or hardened as the real server distributions.

For Ubuntu I would only consider the latest LTS distribution on as server installation…

I know of a lot of people who swear by CentOS since you effectively get all the good bits of RedHat Enterprise but without the price.

Ubuntu LTS server edition also looks promising but it's a relative newcomer, so there isn't any real experience with their long-term support yet.

bye, Dirk