Linux Vs. FreeBSD

I have noticed that Linux seems to be more popular than FreeBSD as an
emerging desktop OS, while FreeBSD seems to be very popular as a server
OS. Having used Linux but not FreeBSD, this seems to be the opposite
of what is logical. Linux is very fragmented and modular, which can be
a plus on a server that you set up once and leave, since it allows for
more choice. However, this fragmentation is a disadvantage on a
desktop, where a major goal is wide compatibility. Why has FreeBSD or
some other BSD variant (my understanding is that FreeBSD is currently
the most user-friendly) started to emerge as a desktop OS? It seems
that FreeBSD's more "unified" nature offers a huge advantage. Also,
Apple has had success using BSD-derived Darwin, which indicates that
BSD is basically a viable desktop OS.

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