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Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.misc
Subject: Re: Status on discussed merge between NetBSD and FreeFSD
Message-ID: <1993Nov14.085858.714@nhqvax.hq.nasa.gov>
From: root@stranneek.nsi.nasa.gov (Michael C. Newell)
Date: 14 Nov 93 08:58:58 +0600
Followup-To: comp.os.386bsd.misc
Distribution: world
Nntp-Posting-Host: stranneek.nsi.nasa.gov
Lines: 47
Jordan -
From your original posting, it sounds like we will
continue to have the choice to make between {386BSD, NetBSD,
FreeBSD}. This is fine; choices make life interesting. However,
you say the merger talks failed over some "technical issues",
but you don't say what these issues are. They are clearly
important, else they would not have derailed the merger. If
they are important, we need to know what they are so we can
decide which OS to choose.
I've seen a lot of "the difference between NetBSD and FreeBSD
is [pick one] is more stable." I've been using NetBSD 0.8 for
many months, and it seems pretty stable to me... Also, nobody
seems to define what they mean by "stable" - does this mean it
crashes with less frequency? The code doesn't change often?
Bug patches are posted more frequently? ???
I'm getting ready to upgrade from NetBSD 0.8 to either 0.9
or FreeBSD. I'd like to make a reasoned decision. To do this,
it would be nice if the NetBSD and FreeBSD teams would get
together and publish a joint statement, which includes
a. The philosophical differences between each product.
b. The technical differences between product approach.
c. The specific differences between the products.
- What does NetBSD have that FreeBSD doesn't?
- What does FreeBSD have that NetBSD doesn't?
- What's in the works for each system?
d. The COMPATABILITIES between systems. (e.g. "What
you need to keep in mind if you are writing an app
to run on BOTH FreeBSD and NetBSD.")
I understand there will always be technical differences between
groups of systems engineers. Often this is a Good Thing.
However, it would be nice for those of us that depend on your
product to understand what they are... :{)
Keep up the good work; it's MUCH appreciated!!
--
Michael C. Newell
NASA Advanced Network Applications
mnewell@nsipo.nasa.gov