Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD


Mark South wrote:
> On Thu, 08 Dec 2005 11:46:34 -0800, Daveman750 wrote:
>
> I wrote:
> >> BSD and Linux are each highly compatible within their flavours, and
> >> between each other to a surprising degree. Binary compatibility is only
> >> important if you think that distribution of binaries is the correct way to
> >> move software around. Why is that so obviously the case to you?
> >>
> > Simple: Being able to see the source code is only an important
> > personal, as opposed to collective, freedom, for the small minority of
> > people who are actually programmers. On the other hand, compiling
> > source code is annoyingly slow and relatively difficult when it cones
> > to things such as build environments. It's nice to know that with free
> > software, anyone can see the source code and is free to hack it, but
> > given that I only have minimal programming skills, it really is of no
> > use for me _personally_ to be able to see the source code, along with
> > about 99% of other users. For us, binaries are just plain easier.
>
> I'm sorry, but in all that there's no answer to my question. Why should
> it be obvious that binary distribution is better? There are many
> different architectures and environments, and CPU cycles are cheap. Even
> my old 133MHz 585 can build Firefox while I sleep.

Yes, but some people want a package to install almost instantly and
even waiting around for an hour to compile the thing is unreasonable.
People want their stuff to work instantly. In other words, you should
be able to download something with your broadband connection and
install it in a matter of seconds or minutes, not hours. Not to
mention that reading the documentation and setting up a proper build
environment is a royal pain compared to the few clicks that are
required to install a binary under ideal conditions.

.

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