Thanks everybody for your input!

Yes, I'll be running the server version of Ubuntu...no reason to run desktop 
since it will be a server, eh? Especially on a machine with limited RAM.

Saying "run a server OS or you will get hacked" seems to be just plain wrong. 
The desktop version of any distro can be tightened down to the same spec as the 
server version. Also implying that by running a server version out of the box 
will make you immune from hackers and other exploits is misleading at best. 

This machine is going to simply be a less expensive option than the old 
physical box I have colo'd now. I have it buttoned down pretty tight, keep it 
updated, and regularly run scans for rootkits, unexpected file changes, offer 
ritual sacrifices to the deities of uptime and security, etc.

-Pete

On Jan 19, 2010, at 11:21 PM, Edward Ned Harvey wrote:

>> I'm in need of a small hosted virtual machine, preferably Ubuntu. This
>> is a personal box to run some sites, email, etc on.
> 
> If you want to run it as a server, I hope you're not talking about Ubuntu
> Desktop.
> 
> If you want to run it as a server, use a server OS.  Or else you'll be
> hacked.  It's bad when you get hacked, and somebody uploads kiddie porn or
> whatever, and the FBI seizes your equipment as evidence, and possibly even
> brings charges against you.  In other words, security is something to take
> seriously.
> 
> Use either Ubuntu Server, or Centos, or Debian.  Or some other good 'n
> secure OS that's specifically designed to be used as a server.
> 


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