Gentoo or FreeBSD for noob w/VERY little UNIX smarts?

Getwild2 · 05-05-2006, 09:45 AM

I have very little knowledge of Linux or Unix as I get very little exposure to it at work. I've decided to devote some time into conquering my lack of knowledge.

I'm basically a GUI man but need to expose myself to some non-GUI, so my new OS needs to have both available to me in a somewhat user-friendly fashion.

My simple question, which do I choose?

Thanks in advance!!

IceChant · 05-05-2006, 11:41 AM

It might be hard start but if you want to learn and read go for it, I don't think it would matter much on which you choose, I don't know much on FreeBSD so I can't give my thoughts about it but I do think it wouldn't matter, if you ready to put some hard work and time into this you'll be fine with whatever you choose, my only tip think on Slackware too.

uselpa · 05-05-2006, 11:42 AM

I was in the same situation 2 years ago, being remotely exposed to AIX at work. I tried both FreeBSD and Gentoo, and my personal experience was that FreeBSD was easier to get up and running than Gentoo.

At some point however I wanted to get back to Linux and chose Slackware, which is still what I use today. Had I know Slackware before, I might have skipped FreeBSD, but FreeBSD is certainly very worthwile to learn.

truthfatal · 05-05-2006, 05:43 PM

I say flip a coin

Both use a /from source/ style package manager. Ports for FreeBSD and Portage for Gentoo

My experience with FreeBSD is very limited as my Slackware CDs came in the mail the day after I installed BSD...
Gentoo is pretty nice though.

XavierP · 05-06-2006, 07:08 AM

Please do not post the same thread in more than one forum. Picking the most relevant forum and posting it once there makes it easier for other members to help you and keeps the discussion all in one place.

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