Hesitating: FreeBSD 4, 5, or DragonFlyBSD?
 

Hi folks,
I've decided to switch from Linux to FreeBSD.
But I just don't know which version I should use!!!
From what I read:
FreeBSD 4.x seems to be stable, but having a lack of new drivers/features;
FreeBSD 5.x is using new features, but is kinda buggy;
DragonFlyBSD is continuing where FreeBSD 4 left.

I want to run a http and ftp server on my box, plus using it as a desktop. So I want X to run. Fast and stable...

Which one is the best for me?

Thanks!!

Kinda buggy? My 5.x systems have been rock solid for months.

For the most part, I would recommend 5.x. But you could easily get away with 4.x if you have no hardware which only 5.x supports -- and you'll get better performance out of it... on average.

But it really is not as major a difference as it would seem.

I have been playing around with FreeBSD 5.x for the last few months and it seems quite stable. I have had very few problems with it and I am even thinking of putting it on a server.

Re: Hesitating: FreeBSD 4, 5, or DragonFlyBSD?
 

Consider trying them all. Install each of them one by one, and see which one detects your hardware the best. It might be best if you didn't try to run a BSD together with other OS's, IMHO.
I had issues with my sound hardware with FreeBSD - it loaded the driver but there still was no sound.
(I reported this.) FreeBSD worked alright otherwise. Follow the installation manual on the website. X.org worked alright, but you need to configure everything by hand. I had KDE working great.
I have Ubuntu on the old laptop now.

Ekkume

FreeBSD 5.3

-Stable as hell on two different boxes both with 3d acceleration.FreeBSD detected everything in all the boxes I've used her on without so much as a hiccup.
-It runs most linux stuff as well or better for me than on linux itself.
-Nvidia even supplies ready to rock 3d drivers for all there latest kick-ass vid cards on FreeBSD 5.3 and above.

I have no doubt that for ease of use,compatibility,and stability-FreeBSD 5.3 all the way!

freebsd 5.x is veeeeeeeeeeeeerry stable

FreeBSD 5.4 is almost complete. Maybe you should try the pre-release.
DragonflyBSD cost money right? Or is that Firefly BSD? Support the free community please!!?

AFAIK DragonFlyBSD is completely free. But even though it's a continuation of the FreeBSD 4 release (more of an evolution than a continuation, actually) it's still adding lots of new stuff and I've heard that it won't be really production ready for about another year. Is anyone using it though? If so any comments on it? It looks kind of interesting and I've been wondering whether I should give it a try,