[OSGeo-Discuss] Ubuntu vs. Centos for GIS?

[David Strom]

We have a project where people are using R & Grass & GDAL for various 
sorts of Geoprocessing.  The first server we put up is running Ubuntu 
12.0.4, and we installed Grass, Gdal, etc. from repository(ies) - i.e., 
we didn't build it.

2nd server is running Centos, because of EMC SAN storage, thought it 
might be easier because RedHat is supported by EMC, but not Ubuntu. 
Installed Grass, GDAL, etc. from elgis repository.

Centos system can't create BigTiffs, but the Ubuntu system can (GDAL 
page says BigTiff should be supported by default, I think0, so we're 
wondering if we should switch that system over to running Ubuntu.

I wonder if anyone has any experience(s) to share in picking a Linux 
distro, pro or con.  I don't mean to complain about anyone's repository, 
we just don't have that much time to devote to admin efforts, so we 
would rather install FOSS from repositories, rather than having to build 
everything.

Opinions, stories?

TIA
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