Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2006 15:12:56 -0600 From: "Andrew L. Gould" <algould@datawok.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: FreeBSD vs Linux Message-ID: <20060117151256.201626c9@grokwell.org> In-Reply-To: <20060117200231.GJ14213@dementia.beyondnormal.net> References: <7349.212.160.155.37.1137518111.squirrel@poczta.b.win.pl> <eed667140601170942g72091997i2cacb57927e35356@mail.gmail.com> <43CD3F73.2040003@matzsoft.de> <eed667140601171132h561ed633h14c7d139c543fe2f@mail.gmail.com> <20060117200231.GJ14213@dementia.beyondnormal.net>
next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
A FreeBSD vs Linux anecdote: I've read several articles over the years talking about how Linux can breathe new life into old computers. After the last couple of weeks, I don't buy it. After combining the hardware from 2 old computers (circa 1996 and 1998 -- anyone remember ISA cards, serial mice and AT cases?) I went through the process of finding a good operating system for it. The computer has a Pentium II 333MHz chip and 384MB RAM; so it's definitely worth keeping. I was unable to successfully install Fedora Core 4, SUSE Linux Professional 9.3, or Ubuntu 5.10. I was given the advice to try old versions of Linux; but how, then, does one deal with security issues? FreeBSD 6.0 and NetBSD 3.0 installed without any problems. The onboard sound chip was dead; so I swapped out the ISA modem for an ISA sound card, which was supported by both *BSD's. The onboard video is supported by both XFree86 and xorg. There are 3 PCI slots, so I added a D-Link Atheros wireless card and a USB2 card to get around most of the motherboard's limitations. For example, the hard drives connected via IDE are limited to ~8GB partitions; however, the computer seems to deal with a 60GB external, USB2 hard drive without problems. The computer is currently without keyboard, mouse or monitor. I am adding applications to the computer via ssh while I work. As soon as I get openbox and tightvnc installed, I'll switch to tightvnc so I can disconnect without disrupting jobs. (Hmm, I wonder if I'll have to add a mouse or keyboard at that point.) Andrew Gould
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?20060117151256.201626c9>