*BSD News Article 28646


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From: imp@boulder.parcplace.com (Warner Losh)
Subject: Re: Impressions: FreeBSD vs Linux
Message-ID: <Cn6txK.IDp@boulder.parcplace.com>
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Organization: ParcPlace Boulder
References: <CMzw69.92K@tower.nullnet.fi> <Cn1KJ1.9pr@boulder.parcplace.com> <HJSTEIN.94Mar24111940@sunset.huji.ac.il>
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 1994 21:20:07 GMT
Lines: 46

In article <HJSTEIN.94Mar24111940@sunset.huji.ac.il>
hjstein@sunset.huji.ac.il (Harvey J. Stein) writes: 
>I believe that the TAMU distribution allows this.

TAMU isn't exactly cutting edge, and they have a rather small system.
Not that TAMU isn't good, it just doesn't allow the same sorts of
things that FreeBSD allows (eg, grab new sources via sup, and type
make to update to the very latest).

>   Also, the many different distributions on Linux is confusing and adds
>   to the perception that it isn't quite there yet in terms of the
>   integration part of the project.  FreeBSD has one place to get the
>   sources for the entire system, while I have to grab sources from
>   hither and yon for Linux.  I can't grab n tar balls of source from
>   somewhere and expect one make command to compile and install the
>   system.
>
>Maybe when Linux development becomes as slow as FreeBSD development,
>with as few people working on it, then Linux will only be on one
>server too.

This is pure flame bate.  It is still a point in FreeBSD's favor.  The
development is anything bug "slow."  The single point of contact for
the core system makes FreeBSD look better due to the high level of
integration that has gone into it (and NetBSD).  I do understand how
Linux got to the point that it is at now.  I'm merely saying that if
there was some way to grab, say, the sources to the latest slackware
release by sup, type make and have a new system, then this would stop
being a point in FreeBSD's favor.

Like I've said before, it makes the Linux distributions look just
tossed together when it comes to source.  They have improved quite a
bit over the last year (when they merely look just tossed together).

Finally, let me reiterate what I've said before:  This isn't that big
a deal.  Both systems have their plusses and minuses.  I, at this point
in time, happen to prefer FreeBSD, but that doesn't make it better or
worse than Linux.  If you want to know which one is better for you,
run both and chose the one you like better.  They are about the same
with difference areas where they shine.

Warner
-- 
Warner Losh		imp@boulder.parcplace.COM	ParcPlace Boulder
"... but I can't promote you to "Prima Donna" unless you demonstrate a few
 more serious personality disorders"