Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2000 13:33:30 -0500 From: Michael Remski <michaelremski@ellacoya.com> To: Dave Hostetler <dbhost@brokersys.com> Cc: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: What are the differences? (long) Message-ID: <38908F7A.FA5CC8D5@ellacoya.com>
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Well, coming from a former Linux user, the differences may not be as big as one would expect. A major difference is that FreeBSD is actually Unix (can trace it's origins back to AT&T), whereas Linux is technically a POSIX compliant, Unix work-alike. That said, who cares. They both work and feel like a Unix system, GNU software comes with/runs on either, FreeBSD can run native Linux executables, and perhaps most importantly, are infinitely more stable than anything that has ever come out of Redmond. The other major difference is what I call the "inherent philosophy" of the two. FreeBSD (OpenBSD and NetBSD also) thinks more as a "whole" when you upgrade. Basically, from whatever your starting point, you get the latest source and rebuild and reinstall the world. A little scary the first time you realize that you are replacing the kernel, and almost all of the utilities that are normally used. This is in contrast to Linux, which is technically just the kernel source trademarked Linus Torvalds, with a lot of GNU software put together. Upgrading the kernel or a specific piece can lead to some interesting times finding out that now you need a newer version of this lib which breaks that thing, unless I get this version ... I must warn you though: I was a Linux user for about 5 years and decided to see what FreeBSD was about. So now I am completely FreeBSD, no more Linux. Both work well, try them both, keep whichever you like better. m -- "To keep in silence our designs, my friends would think I was a nut" Peter Gabriel, Solsbury Hill Ellacoya Networks, Inc. michaelremski@ellacoya.com Suite 207 7 Henry Clay Dr. 603-577-5544 x241 Merrimack, NH 03054 To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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