Best distro for ISPConfig?

[Been Told]

Hi everyone.
Yes, I know, the usual answer as to what Linux distribution is best for a server is: Which ever one you're most comfortable with.
But my case is special. I am still pretty much new to Linux. I've played around with Fedora 9 and openSUSE 11 as desktop OSs on my VMWare Workstation; Also I've installed those and a few other OSs on a server, just to have done it and to get to grips with the process. I've also managed to install ISPconfig correctly twice (at least I think so LOL).

So I'm still pretty much a tabula rasa as far as Linux goes. In that line of thought, I decided that it may be a good idea not to get comfortable with just any Linux OS, but the one that is best for my situation.

So, what do you guys (and girls) say? Which Linux is the best for hosting with ISPconfig?
I will probably not be hosting more than 10 sites/domains. To start with only 2.

Thanks in advance for any usefull advice.

[jnsc]

I think the post people here would recommend you Debian

[Been Told]

Oh and I should also add a list of distributions I can choose from at the moment:
- CentOS 5.2
- Fedora Core 8 / 9
- openSUSE 10.3 / 11
- Debian Etch
- Ubuntu 7 / 8

[lubos]

I will agree that Debian Etch is the best (at least for me), however if you cant get Debian (strange but some VPS providers do not offer it) go for Ubuntu 8.4 (long term support - 3 years) or for CentOS5 (in that order)

[Been Told]

Originally Posted by lubos

(strange but some VPS providers do not offer it) go for Ubuntu 8.4 (long term support - 3 years) or for CentOS5 (in that order)

Yeah, it's weird how my server provider doesn't offer VNC installation of Debian. Only installimage.
Obviously this is not the first time I hear about Debian being the best, so I've wondering about why not "all" providers offer that along with openSUSE and Fedora and CentOS, etc.

What makes CentOS second to Ubuntu in your opinion?

[lubos]

Ubuntu is based on Debian

[Been Told]

Oh right I forgot about that...

[vogelor]

Originally Posted by Been Told

Yeah, it's weird how my server provider doesn't offer VNC installation of Debian. Only installimage.
Obviously this is not the first time I hear about Debian being the best, so I've wondering about why not "all" providers offer that along with openSUSE and Fedora and CentOS, etc.

What makes CentOS second to Ubuntu in your opinion?

if sounds like you host at hetzner...

i installed debian with installimage many times at such a server - no problem and no need to install it with vnc because there is NO interaction at the installation process...

[Been Told]

Your guess is completely correct.

[bernholdt]

I would recomend Debian
I started as you a total Linux Noobie and tried many different distros, and ended up with Debian Etch its wery straight forward to work with and update with the apt-get function. Another reason i chose Debian is that many guides here on HowtoForge is made on Debian.

Let me finish off with thankin all the great minds here at Howtoforge, for taking their time to answer all my stupid questions.