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Xref: sserve comp.os.386bsd.misc:2234 comp.os.linux.misc:12439 Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.misc,comp.os.linux.misc Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yeshua.marcam.com!MathWorks.Com!uhog.mit.edu!nntp.club.cc.cmu.edu!honeydew.srv.cs.cmu.edu!rochester!rit!isc-newsserver!nick.csh.rit.edu!anatoly From: anatoly@nick.csh.rit.edu (Anatoly Ivasyuk) Subject: Re: Impressions: FreeBSD vs Linux Message-ID: <1994Apr5.015732.27058@ultb.isc.rit.edu> Keywords: linux, bsd, competition Sender: news@ultb.isc.rit.edu (USENET News System) Nntp-Posting-Host: nick.csh.rit.edu Organization: Computer Science House @ RIT References: <2neomp$k5t@clarknet.clark.net> <2nf0fo$76u@sbus.entropic.com> <1994Apr1.191018.4439@unlv.edu> Date: Tue, 5 Apr 1994 01:57:32 GMT Lines: 51 gokings@netcom.com (Russell Marrash) writes: >When I first installed unix on my system at home, I was very new to the Unix >world. I am the type of person that likes some challenge when it comes to >doing something. It feels good when you accomplish something that takes a >little work. [stuff about installing NetBSD and FreeBSD deleted] I think there are different challenges when it comes to something like this. Do you want a challenge in learning how to *use* the system, or do you want a challenge learning how to *install* the system in the first place? I have been using Linux since July '92 (version 0.95b, if I recall correctly). Around that time, all you had was a boot disk and a root disk. There was a definite procedure for installing the base system and getting the thing to boot off your hard drive (anyone remember Shoelace?). Everything else you had to find and install by hand. I'll admit that finding all the pieces and putting things together was a definite learning experience, since I had never been at the sysadmin level before. It was worth all the sweat and tears, but in no case did the installation procedure for the base system fail. However, I would not go through that again. I have better things to do than to fiddle with pieces and parts, since I have my own projects and a degree to complete by May. I have friends who tried the *BSD installation (386/BSD, NetBSD, *and* FreeBSD), and then settled on Linux to get some real work done. Granted, the first time I saw the "new" Slackware installation, I had this terrible DOS-flashback, but I was able to calm down enough to appreciate all the care that went into that piece of software. I used to compile software by hand, but I prefer a binary release with all of the software I want to use, since I don't have the time to fiddle with Makefiles and config files. The only thing I recompile these days is the kernel and my own projects. I believe that the three development teams have done a great job on their respective systems. Of course, there are strengths and weaknesses in each of the systems (yes, my networking feels a bit slow), but no one should point out the weaknesses in another system unless he is willing to admit the weaknesses in his own system. In time, the weaknesses will be corrected, but in the meanwhile, I hope that the development teams continue their efforts. I, for one, appreciate all of the spare time that the developers have put into their systems. I have had to develop much software in my spare time for less noble causes. -Anatoly -- Anatoly Ivasyuk anatoly@nick.csh.rit.edu ani0349@cs.rit.edu