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Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!constellation!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!csn!harpo.uccs.edu!elbert!jmward From: jmward@elbert.uccs.edu (Joel M. Ward) Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.misc Subject: Re: So you say you want an interim release of 386bsd? (What to do?) Date: 23 Apr 1993 20:18:56 GMT Organization: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Lines: 39 Message-ID: <1r9ivgINNoai@harpo.uccs.edu> References: <1993Apr23.174333.7879@coe.montana.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: elbert.uccs.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6] First of all, my last post sorta turned into a flame at times. Sorry to those who were offended. :) Okay, i had intended to put together a 0.1.23 release of 386bsd (0.1 + .2.3 patchkit) so it would not be necessary for new users to have to deal (or even know about) patches... that was right before Chris made his netBSD annoucement. It looks to me like he's already done that, mostly. Now the choice I have is whether to work on 386bsd or netBSD. The main difference between them at this point is whether or not you want to be compatible with 386bsd 0.2. It seems like we're missing some data here. What exactly will 0.2 do?? what will be the advantages? we already know there will probably some disadvantages like incompatibilities (i know people are trying to avoid this, but it is inevitable), but without this sort of information making a choice seems like flipping a coin. NetBSD has a big advantage at this point in my mind with the patches already installed (is 0.2.3 the latest? If so, Chris is only 1 version behind) plus a better install program (i hear). It is far easier to install NetBSD as a new system than 386bsd. I am leaning towards NetBSD right now, (i have some cool ideas for the install program, & some other stuff). It seems like any work i do on NetBSD will be quickly integrated if it is useful, while if i do any work on 386bsd, it will be yet another patch scattered among the net that people can use if they choose. NetBSD seems like it will approach a 'user friendly' state faster than 386bsd. Like, if i want Linux, i can read up on it & install it. If i want 386bsd, i have to get it, install it, get the source, get the patchkit, patch it, rebuild it, and hope i don't get too confused along the way. Plus, since Chris intends to pick & choose the best of 0.2, it seems as though it will retain the 'lead' so to speak. All i am trying to say is that if 0.2 doesn't come out soon, I think NetBSD will soon outstrip 386bsd as a easier to install, more up to date OS. well, i think i'm done rambling now :) -- ++Joel;