Linux vs FreeBSD which is better?
 

From what I've read on many OS comparison sites that BSD outclasses Linux by far. It is better at networking, security, file managment and memory management.

So what I don't understand is that if BSD is in actual fact better Linux, why has the world got their tounges wrapped around Linux and not the superior system?

I don't exactly know what is the better as I've only come to use Linux a short while and tested out FreeBSD quite some time ago. Although BSD was a bit faster in terms of speed Linux a 'bit' more easier to configure.

Anyways just wanted to know why Linux is winning over BSD? (Even though Apple have adobted it for their MacOS X)

To add to the point of where Linux is easier to configure, most of the apps available for Linux can also be run on BSD and that isn't always vice versa.

well probably one thing that makes linux more popular is that it is actually easier to install, configure and use compared to freebsd.
freebsd is from what hear and read, very solid, stable and very secure out of box.. etc. i am about to install though myself, so i can get my hands dirty.... and not totally lost when it comes to it :D

and isn't Linux made for the PC since day 1 whereas UNIX was made for larger server thingys and later ported to i386 systems?

but yeah tricky kid has got the idea :) easier to install. im running Linux (RH 7.2) atm and im going to install FreeBSD once i understand the workings of Linux (which is the next century i percieve)

I think *BSD may be more stable.
As an install FreeBSD is cake, sysinstall is a menu based instalation reminiscent of say the linux kernel menuconfig.
You can even kinda auto partition the hd

OpenBSD is purely text based, but is well documented and straightfoward. the disk setup is very manual still.


They are both secure, OBSD more so, by default. (You ccan pick medium security for FBSD). And the installs by default are very small... I thinnk they've always been kinda workhorses. servers and fws and such. Not terribly friendly as workstations. And I think one of the reasons it's gaining popularity is linux binary compatibility, and source code availability. Alot more 'productivity' software is available for them due to linux. I guess that's kind of a way of paying back for all the things borrowed from the *BSD family.


I haven't played with netBSD yet. I want to run it on an ooold Mac, but haven't had the time to dicker with the old openfirmware...

It all depends on the use, FreeBSD is good for servers, and linux is tailored more for the desktop with its great software support.

> So what I don't understand is that if BSD is in actual fact better Linux, why has the world got their tounges wrapped around Linux and not the superior system?

What about:

If Linux is so much better than M$ Mingoes, why has the world got it's tongues wrapped around M$ Findows.


The technical superiority of a product has nothing to do with the [mass] adoption of that product by the masses.

but whadoiknow

becuase its learning curve is overwelming for most casual users, in which linux is a OS for more knowledgeable people who would like to learn some things.

Windows is just a os thats easy to use, and has the worlds software support.

I think it's a bit pointless to argue over which is best, especially if you haven't had a lot of experience with both of them. FreeBSD and Linux both make good servers, workstations, etc., so all this really amounts to is "anything Linux can do FreeBSD can do better", which is kinda silly.

:confused: BSD I could not make it work for me , tried it long ago (v 2.2.5).
Think it is to do with keyboard skills and Unix experience, to much blind input and a high keyboard speed/short delay.
BSD is probably best for pro's, Linux is tolerant and friendly by comparison so it's LINUX for me.

:) My first post to anything anywhere:confused:

linux is closing the gap on freebsd where performance, stability and security are concerned. someone actually did a benchmarking exercise for performance and stability and posted his findings in an article on the net... but i can't remember where :cry: according to him, the results seem to work in linux's favor.

well, i prefer linux mainly for 2 reasons. first, it's got more software packages and there is a constant drive to develop stuff for the end user. that's good for me. also, the GPL ensures that no one person can really manipulate the rest...

i think the BSD license has slightly different implications.

I think the answer to your question is that this is a question that only you can answer. You can answer it working with both systems and seeing the differences. To me the ultimate power in FreeBSD is that one can use cvsup to get the complete up to date source code of the base system (including sendmail, sshd, gcc, etc) and rebuild it. When I have a server at a remote location this is a wonderful convinience.

Some would say that Debian has the same power plus you don't have to compile the source - just get binary packages. That is true but in my experience there are a number of reasons why I prefer the FreeBSD system over the Debian system. The Gentoo linux distribution might have some of the features of FreeBSD but of course long term stability and wide use isn't present yet so it is hard to look at.

But basically the ability to keep my servers up to date without having to go to the physical machine is a god send. In my experience the long term cost of administration (time) is vastly reduced over a comparable install of RedHat. I feel like I'm not describing the benefits of the upgrade - think of RedHat going from 6.2 to 7.2 without having to get an ISO image and go to the physical machine. That may be possible and I'd love to hear if it is but the FreeBSD system is very well refined. It is well worth reading over the handbook and poking around. If you just want a text install (no X) consider grabbing the two diskette images and doing an FTP install.

You might notice that I talk about servers and FreeBSD above but haven't mentioned workstations. On my desktop I run debian testing. I want to try FreeBSD on the desktop sometime but a lack of time and diskspace (soon to be upgraded) on my laptop have slowed me down. I'm not sold on using FreeBSD on my desktop at all. The ease of use of Debian is simply wonderful. Just because I prefer one thing for a certain task doesn't mean I'll try to use it for everything :). But I definately will try it myself before I judge it.

I agree with you. But having used both BSD and Gentoo, i find Gentoo is better if you have the right packages set up.

FreeBSD is definatly more stable though, and debian too. Gentoo is on the bleeding edge of technology always, so thats why bugs can sneak out quickly, but rest assured there is people always working on the bugs, which are usually just minor annoyances.

Oh btw, gentoo compiles the source when you use the portage system.

hmm... if it's bsd you want, why not openbsd then?

hrm...ive been wondering the exact same question...thanks guys...i think once ive learnt linux a bit ill check out BSD as i mostly want it for servers...ill stick with the sins of XP for my desktop :p