The recent discussion of Enterprise Server vs. 8.2 Beta has got me thinking. Here are my needs as a user. I want an AMD64 operating system for a dual processor workstation. I want a stable platform that is compatible with the 32-bit closed source software my university has site licensed, such as Stata and Matlab. I do not want some experimental platform with new thread libraries (aka RH9) that breaks compatibility with closed source software. I do not need to pay for a "server". Basically, what I want is XP Pro for AMD64 Linux. :) Enterprise Server is apparently tested and supported and more likely to work with 32-bit closed source programs like Stata and Matlab (has anyone tried this?). But it cost $747 for 2 processors! Meantime, 8.2 Beta is, well, a beta for a free product that has who knows what compatibility with these programs. I'm willing to pay some amount of money for an OS that works without too much hassle, but not $747. Is there a product for me? What would the people on this list suggest? By the way, does either ES or 8.2 Beta support SATA drives right out of the box? Jeremy