[Techtalk] Linux and *BSD

[Kai MacTane]

At 9/30/03 10:41 AM , Caitlyn Martin wrote:

>I think you did, in fact, pick a safe place.  I doubt any of us see
>Linux as a religion or are zealous enough about Linux to dismiss *BSD.

[insert flames and religious bigotry here, then we can assume it's already 
been taken care of]

> > b) license - those in favour in GPL style free software might favour
> > Linux over the *BSD's.
>
>I think this is *part* of it.  The license differences have affected how
>the two are developed.  The BSDs are all centrally controlled.
>[snip]
>Linux, other than the kernel, is decentralized.

Also, I think this has resulted in it being easier for average people 
(well, average hackers) to get in on the Linux development process. I've 
gotten the general impression that the *BSD setup is not quite so much of a 
bazaar as Linux, but rather shuffles a few steps over in the direction of a 
cathedral.

Also, I understand quite a few people simply find Linus and Alan Cox much 
easier and more pleasant to work with than Theo de Raadt.

>I also believe the FreeBSD has somewhat less hardware supported and less
>software compiled and available as binaries.

I think this is also a result of the above: fewer developers means a 
narrower installed hardware base on the developers' part, and hence 
narrower hardware support. It also means less developer-hours available to 
write drivers.

                                                 --Kai MacTane
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Why can't I live a life for me?
  Why should I take the abuse that's served?
  Why can't they see they're just like me?
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                                                 --Ministry,
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