What OS platform for Long Term Support 10 years
Requirements are unix-like VPS functionality where the main tools are shell scripting, cronjobs, a few python scripts, and zero outward-facing services. We want this thing secure and hands-off in respect to sysadmin maintenance, good for 10+ years.
I can't find it, but I remember reading an article about FreeBSD running uninterrupted for 10-15 years on an airport system, but which eventually failed because of a hardware malfunction. Punchline was ~"would have happily strolled along longer, if the hardware was as good as the software".
You could also try something down the Gentoo route with known-good and solid LTS kernels.
Ubuntu with its ability to auto upgrade is nice enough?
Then your software..compile everything with static libraries and put them into /opt or something? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯