[ale] Linux Server distros

[Jim Popovitch]

So, I've been planning for some new server setups, and thus have been 
looking at CentOS 4 and Debian Sarge.  I'm pretty familiar with both.  I 
must say that in general both suck as a _server_ OS.  Particularly 
because they either don't easily support advanced end hardware (GB 
interfaces, RAID, etc) as is the case with Debian Sarge.  CentOS 4 
supports the higher end hardware (x86_64, etc), but it installs a ton of 
extra crap even on it's "minimal firewall install".  Why would someone 
want cups, some font/xlibs, nfs, etc. on a firewall?

Is there a better x86_64 server distro that doesn't require a 1000 post 
install tricks to make secure, slim, and usable?

TIA,

-Jim P.