Concept Clarification

Hi all,

I am just a Unix-like OS beginner. I heard someone talking about Unix-like OS but I don't know whether they were correct. Let's discuss the following

1. Linux, NetBSD, OpenBSD and FreeBSD are Open Source while OS X is not

2. NetBSD/OpenBSD/FreeBSD is much better than Linux to work as Router/Firewall but Linux is better to be application server (How about Samba or system-application else ?)

3. Development in NetBSD and OpenBSD was in suspension or slow pace. Only FreeBSD can grow as quickly as Linux

If I want to get deeper into BSD, what should I do? Please advise.

1. Correct. However, there are differences between the GPL and the BSD license. In brief, if you modify GPL'ed code and redistribute the binaries, you also have to make the source availalbe. BSD, OTOH, just requires attribution.

2. Dunno about that. Many servers on the Internet run Linux, while several people run BSD on their desktops (I do).

3. I don't think NetBSD and OpenBSD are moving slowly. One reason OBSD dev't may be "slow" is the code audit.

As to going deeper into BSD, just get yourself the CD of the flavor of your choice, and install it.

Regards

Thanks for your advice.

I asked the above questions because I have no idea whether I should choose Linux or BSD. I would like to ask when I should use Linux and when I should use BSD. What objective criteria should I think about?

I'm not really sure there's such a thing as "objective criteria". Ultimately, I think the choice is personal.

Having said that, I'll add that I chose BSD over Linux because I've been on several Linux and BSD online forums and noted that some the solution to some problem depends on the specific Linux distro. OTOH, if you ask for help on a problem in a FreeBSD forum, no one's gonna ask where you got it, because it's just one source -- mirrors aside.

Then too, I wanted to be a little different . I mean, everyone seems to be running Linux, thought I could create a niche for myself by trying out FreeBSD.

There might be some literature on the differences, and performance figures, of Linux and the BSDs somewheres. Maybe Byte magazine, w/c I haven't visited in a while.

Regards

If you're lucky enought to have a second machine laying around, take the time to install FreeBSD and then a couple of Linux distros. Play with them all b/c as Silverlokk said, it's really a personal choice.

There have also been some discussions here at DevShed about the differences and who likes what and why. Try a quick search and see what you come up with.

Not to start a flame war, I have used both linux and freebsd:

1. FreeBSD seems IMHO to be a better server.

2. Linux seems to be a better workstation(more apps, better hardware support)

If you want to learn more about the BSD's I would suggest FreeBSD.

OpenBSD is very security minded and probably the toughest to learn. NetBSD is very portable, while FreeBSD is considered to be the most stable.

I currently work with both FreeBSD and Linux. Here is how I find them.

FreeBSD:
Late to come with the newest drivers and hardware support.
More stable as a server.
The filesystem is a bit more stable.
Can run most Linux binaries.

Linux:
Awesome with new drivers and hardware.
Less stable because the code is quicker to production.
If you pull the plug on the ext2fs a few times, chances are you won't get your OS back without alot of work.
Has no intention of running BSD binaries.

I currently can't run FreeBSD on my IBM Netfinity due to hardware support, Linux is great for this machine since it is fully battery backup, redundant power supplies, etc. I have web servers and application servers that greatly out perform Linux on concurrent connections and throughput running FreeBSD. Both are great OS'es and out perform Windows on every level in the server ring. I don't run OpenBSD currently, but it has a record of 3 years with no security violations with a default install. With that type of record you can't rush code to production.