We maintain a customized Linux installation for use in our department, as part of the Physics Unix/Linux cluster. Using this rather than installing your own has several advantages.
Your home directories and files are hosted on our highly redundant main server, where they are backed up daily.
The installation includes many commercial packages such as Mathematica, Matlab, SUN Java 2, and others.
The system is constantly and automatically updated for security and bugfixes.
To arrange installation of a new Linux system, send email to net@physics.umn.edu.