SL Baur writes:
 
 I'd personally recommend RedHat 5.1 and I do have access to a RedHat
 5.1 box.
  
   There are a lot of required up-grades in graphics rpms; rpm is
broken in terms of installing things from downloads to local
directories.  I believe there is a CD-ROM somewhere of the upgrades
(including security upgrades and a new kernel).
-- 
Rebecca Ore