[CentOS] Centos as a desktop, advisable?

Wed Jul 25 04:57:17 UTC 2007
Barry Brimer <lists at brimer.org>

> I would like to deploy centos on hundreds of client PC (a new setup).
> Presently, several distros has attract me due to their focus on the desktop,
> however they only have few months lifetime before a new version released.
>
> Is it advisable using centos on client? what about support for new
> hardware and several office productivity software like openoffice, did centos
> always update to the latest version?
>
> Previously i was using RH9 on several hundreds clients and love it, however
> the update was horrible since it is unsupported, hence I can not install it
> on the new hardware (ie. sata)

I have used CentOS 4 as a desktop OS since the day it was released.  I 
have never had any problems with it.  In fact, my parents use it as well, 
with minimal help from me.  CentOS rebuilds source RPMS from RH.  RH has a 
7 year support cycle.  Thus, a CentOS release will be supported for the 
same period of time.  CentOS also has a CentOS plus repository that 
contains some newer releases of particular software that is not included 
in RHEL.

You may be interested in using cobbler and 
koan <http://cobbler.et.redhat.com> to help manage the build .. or rebuild 
of your lab.

HTH,
Barry