*BSD News Article 93499


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From: jsi@idiom.com (Michael Craft)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.advocacy,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc,comp.os.linux.advocacy,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: ( FreeBSD > root < Linux ) > /dev/flame
Date: 13 Apr 1997 17:42:19 -0700
Organization: JSI
Lines: 74
Message-ID: <5iruhb$rde@idiom.com>
References: <33513993.167EB0E7@sarenet.es>
NNTP-Posting-Host: idiom.com
Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.unix.advocacy:38698 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:39024 comp.os.linux.advocacy:92658 comp.os.linux.misc:169595

> 	I'm a bit tired of seeing endless and worthless flame wars about
> which OS is better: FreeBSD or Linux.

I have a good idea: do subscriptions to both Linux and FreeBSD,
until you figure out which one you like better.

> 	Perhaps this message sounds a bit extreme, but, isn't
> it better to stop fighting like children and fighting an enemy
> well-worth fighting? I mean, obviously, Microsoft.
> 
> 	They sell bad operating systems not suited for any serious
> usage, and they are a menace, at least for any of us who work
> professionally with computers. If in some years the only OSs 
> used are Microsoft products we won't be able to avoid them!

When purchasing a new PC system, bring printouts of devices that
are supported by both FreeBSD and Linux, buying only a system that
is, and upgradable with, all devices being 100% Linux and *BSD
supported.  By avoiding shops that aren't unix knowledgable, and
going to shops that know their devices, you'll save substantial 
amounts of money and time.

> 	I recommend FreeBSD or Linux to lots of people. In
> fact, I have made a number of installations for friends here;
> (the most difficult part to learn is breaking ice, most people
> find it easier to begin if you install it for them).

It'd be helpful if FreeBSD scuttled their 'sysinstall' and 
Slackware their 'setup' as the programs hide the commands
they use, making it more difficult to learn system setup.  You
have to learn the commands anyway, so there's not much point in
trying to make it too pretty.

> 	Until now, I have seen people abandoning Windows, but
> nobody abandoning FreeBSD or Linux!

Well I'm an addict.  Windows95 has an extremely difficult 
interface; yet every chain store and big magazine loves it.

> 	So, please, stop this worthless discussions! Each 
> student who installs either FreeBSD or Linux in his/her 
> computer is a threat for the Microsoft monopoly!
> And it's well worth!. This silly division is only good for Bill
> Gates. And diversity isn't so bad. Don't try to persuade others
> that either FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD or Linux are better. If someone

The infighting is healthy, if it didn't happen, the pace of
development may slow down, and BSD may never have been created
in the first place.  And wasn't it OS flames that also inspired 
Torvalds?

> sticks to one of these OSs, I'm quite sure it's doing its work
> well. But show ANY of these OSs to the poor guys to try to get
> an Internet/Intranet server running with NT!!!
> 
> 	For example, here, in Spain, FreeBSD
> is little known, as many magazines are including CDs with
> Linux, but none of them are giving CDs with FreeBSD. So, when I
> talk to someone about free OSs as a better alternative than NT,
> many times I have to recommend Linux, as it's easier for them
> to get. I tell them that FreeBSD is more efficient, more stable,
> the developement os better coordinated... but Linux is much
> easier to get.

In the USA, mainstream computer stores and magazines are totally
dedicated to Microsoft, even in the Bay Area of all places.  Upper
end systems are all sold with expensive software and odd devices;
system comparisons in magazines are all too expensive for what you
get.  If I had known better, I'd have bought my system at an
independant store with printouts of the Linux and BSD* device lists
and would have got a more powerful and upgradable system at a
significantly lower cost; in addition, salesmen may actually be
helpful in selecting devices.