Hi all,

After numerous hours attempting to get the Suse Personal Edition 8.2
OS to work in a normal manner, I am considering another Linux.

I am familiar with the Oracle Certification matrix.
Yet, I want to ask your experienced opinions.

I want to install Linux on a 2.53 ghz processor, dual boot with
XP. Then, install Oracle and RAC on top of that, using firewire.
At home, for learning purposes.

Later on, I want to install Oracle apps, and Oracle application server.
On the same kernel.

What is a good version of Linux to work with?

Criteria:

- comes cheap on CDs (No support.)
- underlying files are common to most Linux distributions.
- OS works properly. ie. permanently set semaphores in minutes.
- OS works with firewire
- OS works with RAC
- has large user community and lots of documentation on the web

Will Redhat professional workstation work?
How about Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1 Standard ED. Only $210.
How about Mandrake? Linux 9.2 is only $7.00 at Linux Central.
Is there a place to buy Redhat Enterprise or Advanced
server cheap? Or download for free?

Sorry for the dumb questions. It's not often I buy another
operating system.

Thanks a lot