What is the best Ubuntu distribution for classroom instruction to teach Linux basics?
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More details:
I have been using Linux as a single user for many years and have been pushing my University to make a Linux box available for student use (and classroom instruction).
They are willing to install Ubuntu on a single server hosted on Windows Azure. I will have about 20-25 undergraduate CS students who may access this system concurrently (though it is doubtful they would be doing anything computationally intensive, mostly just simple scripting, perhaps some basic socket/networking programming and gaining familiarity with Linux).
Is there a particular distribution of Ubuntu I should ask to be installed? I've always gone with the desktop version, should I go for the "server" version here? 13.04 or 12.04 LTS? I hope to keep this around somewhat permanently if it works out (i.e., I want persistent file storage/configuration etc over time, not a Live CD approach where everything gets lost/reset between sessions).
I will want to have all the regular development tools (compilers, editors etc) available.
Is there something special that I need to be aware of with this setup involving Azure?
Thanks - my experience is really only one from a single-user perspective, nor am I familiar with Windows Azure