Some Simple Questions

[Jason Stewart]

On 13/06/04 21:28 -0700, Spuds wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. Before I do so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could answer.
> 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name?
> 

FreeBSD is completely free and open. It's free to download. Some
people, after finding FreeBSD useful choose to buy a boxed set or
contribute to freeBSD in the way of talent or money. Whether you
choose to do so is totally up to you.


> 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different opinions.
> 

SCO cannot even affect linux. There is nothing to be afraid of, but if
you want to be extra safe about it, there was already a ruling in
BSD's favor in the USL_v._BSDi lawsuit:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USL_v._BSDi)


> 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere.

Yes it is. 

> 
> 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops?

FreeBSD should run fine on either your desktop or laptop, given that
the hardware is supported.

> 
> Thank you for your time.
> 
> Bryan

You're welcome, and hopefully I've been useful! :)

Cheers,
Jason

> 
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