Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 22:30:41 -0500 (CDT) From: Frank Pawlak <fpawlak@execpc.com> To: grog@lemis.com Cc: Yves.holzgen@mba.be, freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG, FreeBSD-advocacy@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: FreeBSD versus LINUX Message-ID: <199805010330.WAA00565@darkstar.connect.com> In-Reply-To: <19980501114959.A26691@freebie.lemis.com>
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On 1 May, Greg Lehey wrote: > On Wed, 29 April 1998 at 23:40:10 -0500, Frank Pawlak wrote: >> On 29 Apr, John Kelly wrote: >>> On Wed, 29 Apr 1998 19:10:58 +0200, "Yves Holzgen" >>> <yves.holzgen@mba.be> wrote: >>> >>>> We already use LINUX system. What are the main difference between Linux and >>>> freeBSD ? >>> >> >> ... >> >> Linux is a very young clone of SYSV UNIX. It is not really an >> operating system, just a kernel. The libs and other components that >> make up an operating system come from many developers with out a central >> centrol mechanism to ensure the quality of the release. It just the >> kernel that is controlled by one person. > > I don't know if I like making this distinction. Lots of the FreeBSD > supporting software is not under the direct control of the core team > either (in fact, it's the same software used by Linux). And the term > "not an operating system" is misleading. Many people, including > myself, consider the kernel to be the operating system, and the rest > just to be support. > > Having said that, it is correct that you can't just go out and get > "the latest version of Linux". You have a choice of a large number of > different packagings. > > Greg Hi Greg, I am not an expert on operating systems, and not technically qualified to refute whether or not the Linux kernel is in fact an operating system. However, I believe I have seen posts to the mail lists by persons knowledgeable in these things that say that the Linux kernel is not an OS. At times these issues are very confusing to us that are trying to learn the right things and seperate the bull from the real differentators between FreeBSD and Linux. I am not trying to give you an argument here as much as to get at what really consistutes an OS. In answering the question as I did, I was trying to provide some information to persons that were switching from Linux to FreeBSD and asking for information on the differences between them, and quite frankly were given bullshit for an answer. Those differences have to have more substance than what works best for you oe some such. People moving from one OS to another need and deserve substantial information on which to base those desisions. If it is the case that the only difference is what works best for you, then you could put Linux and FreeBSD in a bag, shake it and grab one and have the best OS. At that point everything else is just hacker flame wars and bombast. I truly hope that is not the case. Best wishes, Frank At no time is freedom of speech more precious then when a man hits his thumb with a hammer." -- Marshall Lumsden To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-advocacy" in the body of the message
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