Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 12:04:02 -0600 From: David Wilk <admin@cia-g.com> To: Christopher Schulte <schulte+freebsd@nospam.schulte.org> Cc: Fernando Gleiser <fgleiser@cactus.fi.uba.ar>, David Kramer <david@thekramers.net>, freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: FreeBSD, Linux or Solaris Message-ID: <20020625120402.A7861@cygnus.wks.Gallup.cia-g.com> In-Reply-To: <5.1.1.6.2.20020625121305.03d1f270@pop3s.schulte.org>; from schulte%2Bfreebsd@nospam.schulte.org on Tue, Jun 25, 2002 at 12:32:34PM -0500 References: <Pine.LNX.4.44.0206251236040.24044-100000@kramer.thekramers.net> <20020625135153.M403-100000@localhost> <5.1.1.6.2.20020625121305.03d1f270@pop3s.schulte.org>
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Ok, I hate to waste bandwidth here, but I have to quickly make a point. I'm not religious about things as I use what works best (IMHO) for the job as long as it's not micro$lop. My experience with FreeBSD has been great so far (ok, did *not* like ipfw's 'not-quite-stateful-inspection') and I especially like how extensive and current the ports collection is. However, I gotta disagree with the linux comments. First, the linux kernel is developed independant of the distributions, but not without regard to the userland utilities that it will work closely with. Second, it is the distributions job to integrate these two worlds so that they work seamlessly. Third, if you have not tried it, check out Debian. This *huge* group of developers work very hard to make an incredibly large number of packages available that are all tested as part of a complete system. Package management is awesome. two commands bring your installed base up-to-date with both security and bugfixes - services shutdown and restarted automagically. Releases take a while, so a system can seem a bit out-of-date, but are always solid. having the kernel separate from the system has the advantage of being able to do a complete release upgrade without taking down the system (you lose each service for a few seconds), or, upgrading the kernel for some new feature without having to upgrade the entire system. Dave On Tue, Jun 25, 2002 at 12:32:34PM -0500 or thereabouts, Christopher Schulte wrote: > At 02:00 PM 6/25/2002 -0300, Fernando Gleiser wrote: > >The main reasons I like FreeBSD over Linux are: > >3. I like the feeling of a 'whole OS' instead of a kernel and a bunch of apps > > Yes, good point. One of the most compelling reasons to use FreeBSD over > linux. The completeness and central administration over all the little > bits of source code really goes a far way in terms of warm-fuzzy > -happy-feeling. > > On a practical side, this integrated system source code has major > advantages. Example: I have been maintaining one particular FreeBSD system > since 4.1, released in mid 2000. Right now it's sitting at 4.5 (soon 4.6), > having been upgraded through all new releases with no problems > whatsoever. Not even the slightest burp. > > With linux, I generally leave an installed distro as is, for fear the > slightest library change will cause a downward spiral. Code atrophy sets > in, and before you know it it's time to rebuild a new box and > migrate. That is an exaggeration, but the point is valid. > > The ports system is a delight to use > > Stability is there > > Security is a high priority (RELENG_4_X security branch for example) > > Device support is good (not quite as bleeding edge as linux, however all my > hardware has worked without modification) > > Community support is good > > Developer <--> user interactions are mostly positive and further project goals > > Many other small 'warm-fuizzies' all add up to one great big happy smile, > when dealing with FreeBSD. > > Linux works (go slackware!), Solaris works. If I have a choice, I almost > always use FreeBSD. > > -- > Christopher Schulte > http://www.schulte.org/ > Do not un-munge my @nospam.schulte.org > email address. This address is valid. > > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message -- ******************************* David Wilk System Administrator Community Internet Access, Inc. admin@cia-g.com To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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