re changing from vista

[Jerry McAllister]

On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 03:21:27PM +1000, Da Rock wrote:

> 
> On Fri, 2008-11-14 at 16:39 -0600, eculp at casasponti.net wrote:
> > Jerry McAllister <jerrymc at msu.edu> escribió:
> > 
> > > On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 08:00:23AM +1000, Da Rock wrote:
> > >
> > >>
> > >> On Fri, 2008-11-14 at 11:58 +0100, peter wrote:
> > >> > Dear sirs
> > >> >
> > >> > please can you help me i am totally confused i want to change from
> > >> > windows vista
> > >> >
> > >> > but i cannot understand which system to use
> > >> >
> > >> > i am not sure if freebsd will work with my hardware and software
> > >> >
> > >> > kind regards
> > >> >
> > >> > Peter
> > >>
> > >> Welcome to the free world Peter!
> > >>
> > >> FreeBSD is a very powerful and stable system, but that said it is also
> > >> very hands on - the opposite extreme of vista which is all hands off.
> > >> This means that you will have a very steep learning curve.
> > >>
> > >> This list is /very/ helpful, others may not be so friendly or helpful.
> > >> This is great for newbies who need some real help in getting to know
> > >> their system and fixing problems, but there are times when even this is
> > >> not enough if you don't have enough experience with the system.
> > >>
> > >> My advice is this: get used to the *nix (linux, unix and other
> > >> derivatives) systems and how they do things, and the best way to do this
> > >> is to use linux which is like a halfway house for windows users. The
> > >> software available for all systems is HUGE. And all this software will
> > >> usually run on both systems. The difference is linux will take care of a
> > >> lot of maintenance for you (like vista), but still allows you to get
> > >> your hands dirty hacking the system to your hearts content.
> > >>
> > >> This is not to deter you from using FreeBSD - linux is a tough system
> > >> when compared to windows, but FreeBSD is even tougher; bit like
> > >> comparing a tank to fort knox. But the ease of use and experience you'll
> > >> gain from using linux will be more forgiving than using FreeBSD.
> > >
> > > This is just wrong.    I have always found FreeBSD to be easier
> > > to install and configure the way I want it that the Red Hat or Suse
> > > I often have to use for some servers at work.
> > 
> > Amen to that.  I've converted many Ubuntu users who had shot  
> > themselves in the foot.  They are now happy freeBSD users. YMMV
> > 
> > ed
> > >
> > > You can learn them all if you want and use them all.
> > > But, don't be bullied in to believing that FreeBSD is any harder
> > > than the Lunix flavors out there.
> > >
> 
> The reason for sending the OP to linux first is they will not be
> deterred by the driver and hardware issues. Linux IS easier in this way,
> and has a greater support for hardware that is used outside of a server
> environment. It also allows them to learn the *nix methodology and
> software.

Sure they will.  Linux has lots of driver lag problems.
All but the most obscure hardware will run FreeBSD just fine too.
We have had lots of battles with Redhat and Suse.

////jerry


> 
> I think FreeBSD is great, but when you hit hardware issues -
> particularly new hardware - linux has the greater support for the new
> user. And there is no reason to hide heads in the sand, especially with
> new desktop hardware like multimedia (which is growing in popularity for
> the average user), support will come but it will take time. I have to
> use Fedora (of all systems) on some of my units because it is still more
> hands on and it supports my tv card and other multimedia hardware. Where
> I don't need this I use FreeBSD, and then I will eventually get around
> to perhaps writing drivers for the hardware I use.
> 
> I appreciate your views, but I face these issues all the time and I wish
> all the time that I could use the stability of FreeBSD to run the
> multimedia systems I run. As a new user once myself at one stage I
> remember how frustrating it was to just get some stuff running I used
> regularly and how hard it was (and even then still not quite right) to
> get it doing what I needed. For a server and workstation its fantastic,
> but for some home uses it ran out of features, ergo linux backup.
> 
> Plus learning linux taught me even more about the advantages and
> abilities of FreeBSD and how to make it work.
> 
> 
> > > ////jerry
> > >
> > >>
> > >> My suggestion would be to get used to the *nixes with Ubuntu or even
> > >> PCBSD (which is a FreeBSD variant for newer users), once you have gotten
> > >> used to that give yourself another steep learning curve and jump to the
> > >> final level of FreeBSD straight-up :)
> > >>
> > >> Keep in touch with this list and you'll get all your questions answered
> > >> no matter how ridiculous they may seem to the seasoned users here, and
> > >> the Ubuntu list is nearly as helpful from my observation (hence my
> > >> recommendation).
> > >>
> > >> Once you have the experience you'll definitely want FreeBSD for its
> > >> security, stability, and more. You can run a desktop, a server, or just
> > >> about whatever you want on it. The possibilties are endless with nearly
> > >> any *nix system, but the stability can only be found with BSD.
> > >>
> > >> Good luck with your endeavours and welcome, again
> > >>
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> > 
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