Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 19:56:52 -0600 (CST) From: Ryan Thompson <ryan@sasknow.com> To: Peter Leftwich <Hostmaster@Video2Video.Com> Cc: FreeBSD LIST <FreeBSD-Questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: Peter heads back to M$FT WinBloze Message-ID: <20020726191815.D24203-100000@ren.sasknow.com> In-Reply-To: <20020726195011.N18019-100000@earl-grey.cloud9.net>
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Peter Leftwich wrote to FreeBSD LIST:
> Dear List, I've been reading some compelling posts lately about
> people giving up on FreeBSD, and may soon -- sadly -- join their
> ranks!
>
> (There was the guy who posted about FreeBSD being great for servers
> (surely) but falling short in the desktop/workstation/laptop AND
> ease-of-use category. Now there's the thread about Dan wanting his
> xp back. I can relate!)
Having been on all three sides of this fence off and on for many
years, what I have learned (and learned to accept) are these key
points. For the below points, s/FreeBSD/$Z/g where $Z is just about
anything you can imagine. :-)
1. FreeBSD is not for everybody. This much is obvious, and most among
us realize this, and don't try to push FreeBSD on the unwilling.
2. Even for those well versed in UNIX, FreeBSD is not the solution to
all computing problems. I am not at all afraid to admit that, in
addition to running FreeBSD, I have (and use) several Windows
machines, MacOS, SunOS, and even a token Linux box. :-)
3. While most people realize #1 pretty quickly ("this is not for me"),
fewer ever realize #2, and try to do absolutely everything with one
operating system. This, I have found, only leads to resentment when
FreeBSD does not do something as well as another operating system.
Let's face it. A pick-up truck and a Formula-1 race car are both
vehicles. Professional F-1 racers don't go shopping with their race
car. Even though both vehicles perform most of the same functions, and
even have similar controls, it is obvious that each has advantages
over the other for certain tasks. There need be no competition.
Here's my own private dogma:
I know which tasks I need to carry out each day.
I have found which operating system fits each of my tasks best.
I use the right OS (for me) for each task.
The subject of many a flame war past has been "what *is* the right OS
for the job"... because the answer is entirely individual. Try it. If
you don't like FreeBSD as a desktop machine, go find something else
that you *do* like. You won't hurt our feelings. :-) Conversely, if
you *do* want to give a serious effort to try something out, I think
you will find that many on these lists (myself included) will try very
hard to help you.
The only serious flaw in my strategy is that obviously not everyone
has the resources to run several OSes concurrently. I am fortunate in
that respect, but I don't expect everyone else is. If you must only
choose one OS for *all* of your computing tasks, choose a general
operating system that is right for you, and don't buy in too heavily
to the opinions of others who have chosen the OS that is right for
them.
> [...]
> four-ways, I blew the dust off my FreeBSD 4.3 CDROMs and installed
> them by the seat of my pants, but could never get XFree86 3.3.6
> working - blank screen!
As respects the problems you experienced with FreeBSD, I have not
experienced these particular problems. I am sure, however, that others
have. (And Lord knows each of us has experienced our own unique sets
of problems over the years). If you want to overcome the difficulties
you experienced, exploit these lists by asking questions (perhaps you
already have). There are many bright people here who can
(collectively) field just about any question that comes our way. That,
IMO, is one very strong advantage we have over many other choices.
- Ryan
--
Ryan Thompson <ryan@sasknow.com>
SaskNow Technologies - http://www.sasknow.com
901 1st Avenue North - Saskatoon, SK - S7K 1Y4
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