Panels have the main purpose to stuff your server with deprecated software and consume resources that could be allocated elsewhere. IMO, terminal is the only way to go. Saying that you have no knowledge on managing a Linux server should trigger the desire to learn, not to install panels.I guess if you need a panel it's OK.
But doesn't that take all the fun out of it?
Still fine I think if you use it your own.
Same here, and that would save me $15 a month for the licence!If you want a free panel, use webmin. Best way to go though is like @Floren said.. Learn Linux and do everything via terminal. I only use cPanel on my servers as that's what I'm forced to.. I would love my clients to not need it
Some people don't have the time or desire to learn linux. Thus, they relay on other people to manage their server and/or install panels in order to avoid wasting time to find the appropriate command(s).
And some people enjoy being at the mercy of others.
I sure do use somebody to manage my server although I do quite a lot by myself as well (thanks to the panel(s)). I just don't have the time to keep up with all the software updates/security problems out there. So yeah, when you sick you go to see a doctor, when your house is flooded you call for somebody to take care of it, when your car is broken you go to a garage, so as other people pay to others in order to manage their servers. It's called specialization in economy, and it works quite well so far.And some people enjoy being at the mercy of others.
Point is - if you are responsible for your server (and it sounds like you aren't) then a panel is a panacea that won't help when the poop hits the fan. I'd rather know how to take care of it directly instead of "oh, my button doesn't do what it should I wonder what's wrong".
I guess when you use a panel it is automatically transfers the knowledge to you on what the different options are?
I realize that Linux CLI intimidates a lot of people... but so did DOS and OS/2 (if you really wanted to do anything with it). Some people are happy living in a protected shell (GUI's).
Very true about the desire to learn part. Not having the desire to learn (in life in general) is a disservice to oneself. There's no deadline or cut off date for learning and self improvement - learn at your own pace. It may take days, weeks, months or even years but you're eventually get there.
Indeed I'd listen to what Steven says carefully - security is what he knows and knows very well http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showpost.php?p=9096404&postcount=5 and useful resource http://www.hostingseclist.com/
You may want to google more than just RamNode... SEVERAL users of SolusVM got slammed.
