Fedora Desktop System Boot Time

[David Curry]

An extended discussion has transpired under the thread, "Is Linux Really 
Faster Than MS Windows."  That discussion generally focused on the 
respective boot times of the two operating systems and was dismissed by 
operators of production server systems.  But, one size does not fit 
everyone.

In the world of desktop and laptop system operators, and to those 
concerned with energy efficiency, differential boot times for the two 
operating systems is a meaningful topic.  These systems are frequently 
shutdown by many users.  Is there some impediment to participation of 
knowledgeable list subscribers in laying out a linux boot scenario 
comparable to that of a typical MS Windows desktop system?    Continuing 
relative disregard of the concerns of these users is helping to sustain 
the dominance of MS Windows systems in many end user markets.

Google searches turned up several relevant messages that I have drawn on 
for some suggestions of programs that might be omited from the boot 
list.  Others I have included out of curiosity and ignorance.  System 
security concern is also a factor.

Assume a desktop sytem with stable hardware configuration used for 
general office applications with telephone connection for fax 
send/receive, cable/dsl modem for internet connection to permit web 
browsing, e-mail, and ftp file transfers.  Sys op is security conscious, 
but really does not want to be a sys op.   Fedora installation omitted 
server installation rpms, but otherwise has a default Fedora system boot 
process.  Which bootup programs could be omitted to reduce boot time and 
strengthen system security while retaining full support for office 
productivity, number crunching, etc.?

Boot exclusion candidates:
anacron
atd
crond
isdn (if no isdn connection)
kudzu
mdmpd
microc-ctl (assuming non-intel system)
nfs, nfslock, netfs, autofs, xfs
pcmcia (if not a laptop)
portmap
sendmail
ssh

Apparently, each of the above programs can be eliminated from boot 
startup by deleting the symlink files in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d & rc5.d.  Are 
there strong reasons to not remove any of the above from boot startup?

Are there additional programs that could be dropped from boot startup 
without affecting the functionality of the SOHO type system outlined?