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Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,comp.unix.bsd.misc Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.rmit.EDU.AU!news.unimelb.EDU.AU!munnari.OZ.AU!news.ecn.uoknor.edu!news.wildstar.net!newsfeed.direct.ca!imci2!news.internetMCI.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in1.uu.net!news.thepoint.net!news1!not-for-mail From: root@dyson.iquest.net (John S. Dyson) Subject: Re: HELP Needed: Linux & BSD Unix X-Nntp-Posting-Host: dyson.iquest.net Message-ID: <4n14eq$8b@dyson.iquest.net> Sender: news@iquest.net (News Admin) Organization: John S. Dyson's Machine References: <Pine.OSF.3.91.960510184925.26923A-100000@leonis.nus.sg> Date: Sat, 11 May 1996 04:18:34 GMT Lines: 76 Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.os.linux.misc:103210 comp.unix.bsd.misc:1019 In article <Pine.OSF.3.91.960510184925.26923A-100000@leonis.nus.sg>, Liaw Yong Shyang <cwclys@leonis.nus.sg> wrote: > > >I would appreciate if anyone can help me with the followings: > >0) Does BSD Unix have a PC version? (i.e. run on Pentium) > Yes -- FreeBSD, avail at ftp.freebsd.org among others. Take a look at www.freebsd.org. NetBSD and OpenBSD also are reasonable alternatives. > >1) Are Linux and BSD Unix free software?? If not, what do I need to pay >(i.e. royalty if you in commercial purpose), and how much? > Linux is covered by the GPL, and there are some redistribution encumberences. BSD is covered by license terms that are generally less constrained, except requires some credit given. It isn't clear that all of the BSD license terms are valid (i.e., it is actually freer than the license says - but I wouldn't want to test that fact :-).) With GPL, it is very possible that your code will be encumbered with redistribution requirements (if you make significant mods to code in Linux, and redistribute code, you might have to make your source available :-(). > >2) Are source code easily available for Linux & BSD Unix? Where can I get >them? > Yep, FreeBSD is available from Walnut Creek CDROM (and other CDROM vendors). Also available for an FTP based install from ftp.freebsd.org. > >3) What sort of devices drivers do Linux & BSD Unix support? (i.e. serial >com port, X.25, etc). > There is support for each of the above, either commercial or free. > >4) I am thinking of choosing an Unix OS (I.e. Linux & BSD Unix) for my >Pentium PC for a commercial project, any comments on the advantages / >disavantages are welcomed. Thank. > For embedded work, you might be constrained by the GPL (that is my major problem with GPL.) FreeBSD and Linux are both good, most of the arguments that try to compare the two are splitting hairs. *BSD's networking tends to be more robust and compliant -- Linux defaults to async metadata updates, and is faster for file create's and deletes. The soon to be released Linux will be competitive in performance in general with the existing release of FreeBSD. Of course, FreeBSD will soon leapfrog Linux, then Linux will catch-up and surpass, then FreeBSD, etc. -- ad infinitum... There are some differences in project organization, with FreeBSD being a full OS development -- while Linux is a kernel development with various companies creating the kernel/utilities distribution. FreeBSD's entire development is very open with multiple (selected, about 50) people committing to the source base. FreeBSD does have a developer full-time QCing the kernel, and other major pieces. The entire FreeBSD system (OS) is under CVS control, and any version of any program can be retrieved from the 2.x series inception. The Linux kernel is under the control of one person, and it appears that source code control is in the form of "snapshots." > >5) What is freebsd? Is that a free Unix? > It is a free U**X clone (some of the code comes from the same base as SVR4), very applicable to embedded, networking and ISP applications, and very competitive on workstations also. *BSD's (mostly Free/Net) networking code is where much of the IPv6 research is being done. > >Thank very much > You're welcome. John dyson@freebsd.org