BSD as a client!

when would it be better to use freeBSD as a client machine instead of linux?
do most programs written for linux run on freeBSD?

>> do most programs written for linux run on freeBSD?

Yes.

As far as when to migrate to FreeBSD, I'd say when you can live without any GUI or X. If you are merely a first time FreeBSD user, just so you know, FreeBSD doesn't offer point-n-click-n-ready-to-run features. Your Mandrake background also counts nothing since you will have to learn the whole thing from ground up. That said, immediate migration is out of the question. You need to start learning FreeBSD and for about 1 or 2 years an average user should be ready.

you mightened remember the advice that you gave me a couple of months ago, u said to use the console whenever possible, which i did, the only thing i use the GUI is to to host other consoles and to fast launch applications (i use windowmanager), will it still be as difficult to use? cause i am already looking into freebsd using vmware!

Yes, young grasshopper. Train night and day for 1-2 years, then you just *might* be able to get around on a FreeBSD system.

Come on, now. I went from Windows to FreeBSD, and was able to minimally set up and operate a FreeBSd workstation complete with GUI, et al at home within a few weeks. FreeBSD takes getting used to, but trust me, it is not as hard some make it out to be. In fact, if you are acustom to any *nix, the concepts and attention to steps are not that hard to get used to.

I suggest jumping into head first. There are tons of people who are willing to help, however if you depend on this workstation, or client as you call it, them you might want to put it on a spare system or dual boot on your pc.

Brett