BSD Question's.

[Don Hinton]

Hi Danial:

On Saturday 24 December 2005 10:44, Danial Thom wrote:
> --- Miguel Saturnino <mags at oniduo.pt> wrote:
> > On Sat, 2005-12-24 at 07:34 -0800, Danial Thom
> >
> > wrote:
> > > --- "Michael C. Shultz"
> >
> > <ringworm01 at gmail.com>
> >
> > > wrote:
> > > > On Saturday 24 December 2005 06:54, Daniel
> >
> > A.
> >
> > > > wrote:
> > > > > Hi Andy,
> > > > >
> > > > > I am sorry for the trouble you have had
> >
> > with
> >
> > > > Windows XP.
> > > >
> > > > > I suggest that you use Linux, as FreeBSD
> > > >
> > > > really is not targeted at
> > > >
> > > > > people who want to use graphical user
> > > >
> > > > interfaces.
> > > >
> > > > In a few key areas FreeBSD is a better
> >
> > desktop
> >
> > > > OS than Linux:  Easier to keep
> > > > the kernel/world and installed ports up to
> >
> > date
> >
> > > > for example without having
> > > > to resort to the microsoft/Linux fixall
> >
> > method
> >
> > > > of removing and reinstalling
> > > > everything every now and again.  Your
> >
> > opinion
> >
> > > > is correct IMO that FreeBSD
> > > > managers put most emphasis on FreeBSD as a
> > > > server and little as a desktop.
> > > > My guess is because donations(cash) and
> > > > hardware support for developers
> > > > come from people who want servers while
> >
> > people
> >
> > > > who want a desktop OS tend to
> > > > donate squat....
> > > >
> > > > > The linux developers really have been
> >
> > trying
> >
> > > > to make a valuable
> > > >
> > > > > replacement for Windows, as they somehow
> >
> > have
> >
> > > > experienced the same
> > > >
> > > > > issues with Windows (And Microsoft
> >
> > products
> >
> > > > in general) that you have.
> > > >
> > > > > One Linux distribution in particular that
> >
> > I
> >
> > > > think you might like, is
> > > >
> > > > > Ubuntu. You can download it at
> > > >
> > > > http://www.ubuntulinux.org/, or order a
> > > >
> > > > > CD (Free shipping, free CD, you pay
> >
> > nothing).
> >
> > > > Advertising Linux in a FreeBSD mailing
> >
> > list?
> >
> > > > Sounds like you may have more of
> > > > axe to grind against the FreeBSD management
> > > > folk than a desire to offer sound
> > > > advice....
> > > >
> > > > -Mike
> > >
> > > Why not just tell the truth, which is that
> > > Windows XP is the best that you can do for
> >
> > the
> >
> > > desktop
> >
> > Well, that's your opinion. For me, FreeBSD is a
> > much better desktop than
> > Windows -- it runs solid and fast and enables
> > me to be more productive
> > in my work. Of course, what is good for me
> > might not be so good for
> > someone else, I guess it depends on your needs.
>
> "more productive" in what way?
>
> Without considering all of the programs I use
> that only run in windows (such as my investment
> analysis tools, camera interface and photo
> editing programs), outline the "productivity"
> advantages of FreeBSD in terms of:
>
> 1) Time from unwrapping the computer to having a
> functional and usable system.

For me, FreeBSD is about twice as fast/easy to install/configure, and 
infinitely cheaper. 

> 2) General productivity advantages in a typical
> day. ie: what can you do with FreeBSD that you
> can't do in WinXP, and what is faster or more
> productive in FreeBSD

Depends on what you use it for.  I'm a C++ developer, and have a need to 
examine/search/manipulate text files quite often, Windows, out of the box, is 
inappropriate for this type of work.  I'd have to install all sorts of 
applications, e.g., cygwin, et al, to get the applications/capabilities that 
come "out of the box" on a typical *nix system, FreeBSD, Linux, etc...

If, on the other hand, you are wedded to an application that only runs on 
windows, then the question is moot.  Unfortunately, there is one windows 
program I'm forced to use, so I have a cheap laptop that sits on my desk for 
that purpose.  Though I never use it directly, except to reboot it when it 
hangs, say once a week, I access it via rdesktop in a window from one of my 
FreeBSD systems, typically my new HP laptop.

But no one can convince you of which OS you should use.  If you want to try 
one, try it.  If not, don't.  I couldn't care less which OS other people use, 
just as I couldn't care less which car you drive.

happy holidays--I'm off to finish my shopping...
don 

>
> And please don't take this as an adversarial
> post: I haven't looked at the desktop in a while
> so I'd really like to know the answers, if in
> fact your opinion is objective.
>
> DT
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Don Hinton <don.hinton at vanderbilt.edu>                    615.480.5667
ISIS, Vanderbilt University
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