which is easier to learn?

for a total *nix newbie, which is easier to adapt especially the one who came from windows(obviously), linux or freebsd? thanks!

To learn in what?

1) Just how to use it as a workstation
2) UNIX and system administration in general
3) Networking stuffs

lets say all of the above....

Then of course, the answer would be freebsd. When you learn Linux, you really are learning the userland of the distribution, which is next to useless and is a waste of time. Not to mention when every Linux distributor packages their Linux userland differently without consistency. Don't forget, when you rely on GUIs too much (the same GUI might not be available in another dist.) you are just wasting your time for learning something useless.
Just don't waste your time on Linux, you just won't gain as much UNIX experience as you would in FreeBSD.
That's why I always said FreeBSD is always superior to Linux and Linux users are always little clueless kids.

Ok, but how can i install freebsd, i got here a copy on my HD i think its ver. 4.4. pls give me some manual of installing Freebsd. i currently have win2K on my C :, can i make it dual boot? pls. help. thanks.

The first step is to read: Handbook:

http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.IS...ok/install.html

And if you only have Win2k, freebsd can handle dual-boot with his boot manager called boot easy.

but go and get fun!
: )

i haven't burn my copy(dnt have CDRW), but i have an access via ftp, can i install it via FTP? how? have win2K on C, D is data

my NIC doesn't support FreeBSD, only linux and win. .. prolly i will go for Linux... is there any other way (driver patch) to get it worked for Unx..

ps. but i look at the back of its box that it supports SCO Unix... is there any solution?

Chances are FreeBSD will support your NIC. Go to the freebsd homepage, read up on how to create the install disks, and use ftp as the install medium.

FreeBSD is the easiest to learn because it is a standardized, complete OS. The unix commands and idiosyncrocies have a steep learning curve, but come to you after a little while. The key is to keep playing with it until one day its hits you that you know it.

Unix Power Tools by O'Reilly is great for learning the details of the unix interface.

Brett

ok thanks, but , is it true that linux has more software support than FreeBSD, example is JAVA2, it has for linux, i dnt know if SUN ships it to freebsd and such.

Yes, Java 2 is supported (as Java 1.4). It is available via the ports system, but the linux compatibility libraries need to be installed as well.

Actually, most anything for linux can be run on FreeBSD. There is a section in the handbook at http://www.freebsd.org.

Brett