One of the things I like about Mandrake is the myrdiad applications that come with it.  As a desktop workstation, it is, IMHO, the best thing going.  However, as a rule of thumb, there seems to be an inverse ratio between quantity of features and amount of security.  Because it is designed to be feature-rich, Mandrake is therefore not such a good choice for an Internet-exposed server.  On t"he big I", a stripped-down, simple OS is best.  As free operating systems go, OpenBSD (http://www.openbsd.org) is the safest choice.  If you're a linux-only shop, slackware is a fine choice.  Openlinux, I dunno.  

As for ease of use, remember that the most important security device is between the system administrator's ears.  If someone knows so little about Unix that they can't deal with tarballs and compiling software from source code, your probably don't want to hire them to secure your web servers.  Besides, to assume that your employer could replace you with someone who doesn't know what they are doing is to sell yourself short.  If you are an expert, then an expert should succeed you.  Humility is a noble virtue, but don't over-do it. ;-)

-----Original Message-----
From: wahern [mailto:wahern@jinsa.org]
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 1999 4:51 PM
To: expert
Cc: wahern
Subject: [expert] use 6.1 as live server

I'm running 6.0 locally, and like it (esp the Perl update prog.). Would
anybody think twice to using the 6.1 distrib on a live server? I'm switching
from OpenLinux 1.2 after a root compromise, and REALLY want to have
a secure system (but, need the ease of rpm's and updates for anybody
who may work here after i leave).

thanx

Bill