key barriers

[Scott Kupferschmidt]

Hello,

FreeBSD should be able to support any newer java version without
problems.  Most people compile from ports, however there should be
something available -- you should find out what his version needs actually
are, and base off that.

Also, FreeBSD is immune to many exploits that are known to have caused
havoc with Linux.  It is possible to upgrade the system to the newest
version, however if it's a rather old install you'll have to do it
carefully.  You can always cvsup an install, however I do believe there
were many differences between FreeBSD 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x now especially
with libs.

Sincerely,

Scott Kupferschmidt


On Sun, 15 Jun 2003, Thanjee Neefam wrote:

> 
> Hello,
> 
> I have a friend who is a Debian Linux user and I have been having a
> discussion with him about using FreeBSD. He wrote me a list of his
> concerns with changing to FreeBSD. I don't want to give him any incorrect
> answers or incorrect information. So could someone more knowledgable than
> me please give me some precise answers on the following points.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> 
> ----from email----
> 
> I like that a certain *BSD is getting funding from DARPA; the 
> enhancements I was reading about sounded impressive.
> 
> The key barrier to FreeBSD is java.  I go to 
> http://www.freebsd.org/java/ and the main text says FreeBSD supports 
> 1.1.8, which isn't good enough for my needs.
> 
> However, there is also a 1.4 link on that page, but that page says the 
> FreeBSD version is currently missing features.
> 
> This is the second key issue.  I know of someone who runs an old 
> open-source OS (about 3 versions behind the current), who doesn't know 
> how to patch his box unless he downloads 4 or so CDs.  That box was 
> recently compromised and the fix that person performed was to rebuild 
> the machine with the same old OS, and recover data from tape.
> 
> I like being able to browse to www.debian.org/security and to know that 
> on certain days as many as 5 patches are released.  And that with a 
> single command I can apply all the patches I need.
> 
> Now, FreeBSD has a similar page freebsd.org/security but it doesn't list 
> as many bugs.  Does that mean FreeBSD has fewer holes?  Or does it mean 
> it takes longer to fix them in FreeBSD?  Or that people are not testing 
> the security of BSD as much as Debian?  I don't know.
> 
> At the top of the debian security page is directions on how to apply all 
> relevent patches.  There is no such information on the FreeBSD security 
> page (that I could see, correct me if I am wrong).  Instead the 
> directions are attached to the Security Advisory, and involve 
> recompiling your operating-system/kernal and rebooting (at least it did 
> for the two I checked 'openssl' and 'syncookies' SA for 4.8
> 
> /////////// thanjee at fastmail.fm \\\\\\\\\\\
> AAFE Audio, Amiga and FreeBSD Enthusiast :p
> \\\\\\\\\ http://www.fastmail.fm //////////
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