Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD

Daveman750 wrote:

> 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.
---8<--- SNIPPED ---8<---
> Apple has had success using BSD-derived Darwin, which indicates that
> BSD is basically a viable desktop OS.

Apple's decision to use the FreeBSD code base had less to do with it's
technical merits[1] and more to do with the BSD license. The GPL does not
allow someone to come along fork the code and change it to closed-source.
The BSD license on the other hand, DOES allow this sort of license change
by a non-author.

Having used both FreeBSD and Linux in both desktop and server roles, I think
they both have their merits, and pitfalls. BSD's "ports" system is very
similar to Gentoo's "emerge" and is a great (fantastic in fact) system if
you're comfortable with compiling everything yourself. OTOH, many Linux'es
binary and source packaging systems (deb/rpm et al) allow you to have the
best of both worlds. Under Debian or RPM-based distros I can choose to
compile from source, or use the pre-compiled binaries - I like that
flexibility both on the desktop and in the server room. Whilst you CAN get
pre-compiled binaries for the BSD's, it's far more common to use ports and
compile yourself.

[1] I'm sure if Linux were far superior from a technical point of view, the
license debate wouldn't matter. The reality is that both Linux and the
BSD's provide similar advantages and suffer similar bottle-necks.
Head-to-head on the same hardware, it comes down to what is the best
platform for task and for the administrator to support/secure. I use
either, depending on what I'm trying to do.

Cheers,

James
--
Under deadline pressure for the next week. If you want something, it can
wait.
Unless it's blind screaming paroxysmally hedonistic...

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD
    ... while FreeBSD seems to be very popular as a server ... >>> Having used Linux but not FreeBSD, this seems to be the opposite ... >> compatibility is a major goal, ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD
    ... while FreeBSD seems to be very popular as a server ... >>> Having used Linux but not FreeBSD, this seems to be the opposite ... >> compatibility is a major goal, ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD
    ... while FreeBSD seems to be very popular as a server ... >> Having used Linux but not FreeBSD, this seems to be the opposite ... > compatibility is a major goal, ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Linux Vs. FreeBSD
    ... while FreeBSD seems to be very popular as a server ... > Having used Linux but not FreeBSD, this seems to be the opposite ... approved by the core group or something like that. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: FreeBSD 4.x Opteron Question
    ... the FreeBSD developers told everyone that 5.3 was da ... initially over linux not because there's a bunch of good guys on the ... My tests measure kernel performance; ... > a networking device is a key performance indicator. ...
    (freebsd-questions)