Why Are You Using FreeBSD?

[Jim Ohlstein]

On 5/30/12 2:20 PM, David Chisnall wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> This is off-topic, so please feel free to disregard it, but I'm sending it to this list in the hope that it will reach a largish number of users.  
> 
> I am currently looking at updating some of our advocacy material (which advertises exciting new features like SMP support), and before I do I'd like to get a better feel for why the rest of you are using FreeBSD.  If you had to list the three things you most like about FreeBSD, which would you pick?  Are they the same as when you first started using it?  
> 
> 

These have been said before but I'll reiterate.

1. Stability. It's a well thought out, designed from the ground up,
operating system. It is not a collection of "chosen for you" packages
attached to a kernel.

2. Ease of configuration

3. Ports

Having used various Linux distos for quite awhile, the above are all so
much of an improvement, and are still why I use FreeBSD.


To add others, in no particular order:

Ease of upgrade. While some have noted that binary upgrades are easier
on Debian, it's far and away superior, IMMHO, to have a locally compiled
system. Many Linux distros have no upgrade path short of a wipe and
re-install.

Community support by dedicated professionals.

BSD License vs GPL. I agree with the sentiment about small minds and
viral licensing.

I use FreeBSD for webserver (nginx), database (MySQL), mail (exim and
dovecot), nameserver (BIND), firewall, and more.

As a small time, part time sysadmin I couldn't imagine going back to any
other OS. I don't make my living from server management, rather my
servers support my interests and small business (if anyone has ever seen
the Staples commercial in the US with "Bob", the sole proprietor and
employee who wears all of the hats including tech support, that's me).


-- 
Jim Ohlstein