[CentOS] Is Oracle a real alternative to Centos?

Wed Dec 9 16:52:46 UTC 2020
Frank Cox <theatre at sasktel.net>

On Wed, 9 Dec 2020 11:18:25 +0100
Rainer Traut wrote:

> > Based on my extremely limited knowledge around Oracle Linux, it sounds like
> > that might be a go-to solution for Centos refugees.
> >
> > But is it, really?
> >
> 
> Yes, it is better than Centos and in some aspects better than RHEL:
> 
> - faster security updates than Centos, directly behind RHEl
> - better kernels than RHEL and CentOS (UEKs) wih more features
> - free to download (no subscription needed):
> https://yum.oracle.com/oracle-linux-isos.html
> - free to use:
> https://yum.oracle.com/oracle-linux-8.html
> - massive amount of extra packes and full rebuild of EPEL (same link):
> https://yum.oracle.com/oracle-linux-8.html

You sound like you know what's what with Oracle Linux, so here are a few follow-up questions.

Someone else on this list said that the reason he stopped installing it was because every time he did, he got snowed under with sales calls from Oracle.  Have you found this to be the case?

Is it necessary to create an Oracle account to do anything with Oracle Linux that can't be done without creating an account?  In other words, does Oracle Linux demand that you log into Oracle to complete an installation, update that installation, install software from their epel-equivalent, or do any other of the regular sysadmin activities that one would expect to be doing? If I start installing Oracle Linux on my machines or my client's machines, what benefit do I get by signing up for an Oracle account that I don't have if I don't sign up for one?

Does Oracle Linux have a free support and discussion mailing list similar to this one?

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