crumb wrote:
>
> Can someone give an informed and un-biased opinion as
> possible on the major differences, strengths, weaknesses, etc. of
> Linux vs. Free BSD, Open BSD, and all the other "free" os's I didn't
> mention, that I'm sure are worth mentioning. I'm debating on
> whether or not to start thinking about buying another box and
> System Commander, if it seems worth my while. EVERYBODY'S
> website is full of reasons to choose their product, but I'd rather hear
> from someone that has nothing to loose or gain from honesty.
> I'm not a hacker or cracker, just a guy that likes playing around
> with computers for kicks, if you know what I mean.
*BSD are "childern" or forks from the 4.4BSD lite, which oringally dated
back
to AT&T code with /alot/ of Berkely modifications meaning that it is
"true"
UNIX. The BSD license is differant from GPL, in that it is open and
free,
but if you make changes, anyone can "close" you modifications into their
binary only commerical distro, if they choose so.
Linux was written from no UNIX(r) source code, and under the GPL, which
means if you make changes to it, no one can close your source, it must
be open at all times, they couldn't have a fork using linux or your code
and sell it in binary only format, they would have to include linux and
whatever code you changed.
The *BSD are are BSD based unix, while Linux feels like System V from a
programers point, and a BSD unix from a admin/user point, since most of
the programs used in Linux are from BSD, or GNU.
Are far as supporting hardware, Linux supports more hardware on the x86
then *BSD, Linux has even more support for SCSI cards then windows NT!
netBSD is designed to be very portable, it runs on ALOT of differant
cpus.
openBSD is designed to be very secure in all aspects.
freeBSD is designed to be a Free unix for the x86 cpu, while this is the
only
one (besides Linux) that supports more then one cpu.
Linux was orignally designed to be a posix compatiable GPL free Unix for
the
x86 cpu.
Other free OS include HURD, it is still in the earlier development
stage.
freeDOS, a total free, open source dos implement designed to be
compatiable
with the very poplaur Microsoft's DOS. It's open source, but it is
still
DOS :) and is not even close to any type of unix in any way. Single
user,
"one tasking" with no proceted memory, etc. etc. Can be run on the 286
and
earlier with as little as 640KB of memory and a floppy drive, good for
really, really low end machines. If you have a 386 w/4 megs or more of
memory
and a floppy drive you can run Linux and possiable one of the other free
unicies
out there.
For non-commerical use, you can obtain Solaris 7 from Sun Micro Systems
for the
price of media and shipping and handleing (about 20-30 USD). While it
is free
(the price), it isn't open source. It is a very strong commerical unix
that runs
on the Sparc and X86 cpu's, it feels like a System V unix with some BSD
left over
from SunOS. If you are planning to use it for commerical use, it will
cost you
an arm and a leg.
Any of the *BSD or Linux would be a good choice, the are both very
strong, stable
unicies with alot of "community" support, if you want to use any of them
as a
learning tool, a hobby, or a full blow server, they both fit the bill
nicely, they both
also include source so you can change anything you see fit. I would
recommend
both the *BSD and Linux, it is a matter of personal choice, get a old
486 and
try them all, and pick the one you like best, not the one I like the
best :)
Jack
