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Interactive scorecard and NetResults: Linux: Server-side distributions

Network World Fusion, 10/16/00

Every network is unique. This calculator lets you change the weights given to scores from our review to see which product might be best suited for your needs. Here's how it works: In each category, our reviewers rated the apps on a 1-10 basis. These ratings are then multiplied by the percentage weighting, and then added up to give an overall product score. Any score above 9 is considered "world class."

For each category below, assign the percentage weight you think is most appropriate. The percent-o-meter box on the right will keep track of your weightings to let you know when you've reached 100%. When you fill in the last box, hit your enter key, and you'll see how the apps rate (along with our final scores for comparison).

Percent-
o-meter

Category	Our weight	Your weight
LAN admin/setup	30%	%
Added apps/value	25%	%
Installation	20%	%
Service support policies	15%	%
Documentation	10%	%

Results table

Below, you'll find the 1-10 score given to each app by our reviewers. To obtain the final score: Multiply each individual score by the weighting given that category, then add up all those resulting numbers.

Caldera OpenLinux eServer 2.3 Red Hat 6.2 Deluxe Turbo-
Linux Server 6.0 SuSE Linux 6.4 Storm Linux 2000 Deluxe
LAN admin/setup 8 6 8 8 8

Added apps/value 8 8 10 10 8

Installation 10 10 8 8 6

Service support policies 10 10 4 3 8

Document-
ation 8 8 8 8 8

Our total 8.70 8.10 7.90 7.75 7.60

YOUR TOTAL

Individual category scores are based on a scale of 1 to 10. Percentages are the weight given each category in determining the total score. Scoring key: 10 - Can't be better; 9-8 - Excellent; 7 - Very good; 6-5 - Average; 4-2 - Needs improvement; 1 - Not supported or doesn't work.

NetResults

Caldera OpenLinux eServer 2.3
Rating: 8.70
Company: Caldera
(888) GOLINUX
240 West Center Street, Orem, Utah 84057 Pros: Best overall installation; good network installation configuration choices; great plug and play.
Cons: GUI requires custom install.

Red Hat 6.2 Deluxe
Rating: 8.10
Company: Red Hat Software
(919) 547-0012
Meridian Parkway, Durham, N.C. 27709
Pros: Good compatibility; flexible installation.
Cons: Didn't query network on installation.

Storm Linux 2000 Deluxe
Rating: 7.90
Company:Stormix Technologies
(604) 688-9137
2040-555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6B 4N6
Pros: Good for new users; lots of extras; enhanced administration application.
Cons: Not a server-specific distro; some hardware incompatibility issues.

SuSE Linux 6.4
Rating: 7.80
Company: SuSE
(510) 628-3385, 580 Second Street Suite 210, Oakland, Calif. 94607
Pros: Lots of extras.
Cons: Required custom kernel; lots to wade through; not a server-specific product; weak support.

TurboLinux Server 6.0
Rating: 7.75
Company: TurboLinux
(650) 244-7777
2000 Sierra Point Parkway, Brisbane, Calif. 94005
Pros: Includes flexible kernel choices; very good plug and play.
Cons: Made minor configuration mistakes.