UNIX versus Linux

[Dave hardy]

This is somewhat off-topic, but if I may be permitted a newbie's indulgence:   Although a prior VMS/NT guy, I am evidently going to have some input as to which o.s. to run on a new server that will be handing a large Oracle database.  The decision is whether to use UNIX, commercial or otherwise, or one of the Linux flavors.  The vendor doing the initial install and database merge with proprietary s.w. clearly favors and will support Sun's UNIX.  Anything else and they will incrementally back off supporting it.    Another factor is that there is currently no one in house with UNIX or Linux expertise and at least one of the techies here would have to get ramped-up training very soon.    I'd be very interested in any thoughts folks in this group may have, as to preferences for either UNIX or Linux, and any particular flavors of either one.   Thanks much for your consideration.   Dave Vermont Health Care Administration 89 Main Street Montpelier, VT 05602 [EMAIL PROTECTED].   P.S.  I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of root passwords over the last day or so, quite interesting and informative.