Linux Vs. Freebsd -- ease of use?

[Phokus]

Hey guys, i've started my endeavors into linux and so far it's going 'ok'. I've had a few stumbling blocks (The main problem being with installing packages that have broken dependancies). I'm wondering, do you guys think learning FreeBSD would be a better approach for a *NIX newbie like me? I've heard FreeBSD is easier than linux, so what are your thoughts on that?

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

FreeBSD has become quite userfriendly over the years, but if you are a newbie to the Unix world I'd recomment starting with Mandrake, SuSe or RedHat, with other words: start with Linux.

At some points FreeBSD is far more userfriendly, but at other points it is most definately not. Reconfiguring the kernel is quite easy in FreeBSD, but I never managed to get FreeBSD to work correctly with my ADSL modem (while I am not really a newbie).

 

[Sunner]

I'd say FreeBSD is easier than the more "hard core" Linux distros, such as Debian and Slackware(though Debian's APT/dpkg system is by far the easiest way to install software on any OS out there), while being harder than the more user friendly focused distro's such as RedHat, Mandrake, SuSE, etc.

 

[CTho9305]

freebsd's outdated X windows makes it difficult if you have a recent video card.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: CTho9305
freebsd's outdated X windows makes it difficult if you have a recent video card.

They have a more up to date X server in ports which should be easy to install.

 

[Sunner]

Originally posted by: CTho9305
freebsd's outdated X windows makes it difficult if you have a recent video card.

FreeBSD 4.5 ships with 4.1.0, not too old I'd say.

 

[freebsddude]

FreeBSD 4.5 works with XFree86 4.2. If you are a Unix newbie, you should prolly try Linux distros as others have suggested. However, you should be fine with FreeBSD if you are intent on learning Unix. In all honesty, use whatever distro you feel comfortable with, Linux or BSD. If you have a clean system, and time to invest in learning, give 2-3 distros a try and pick one and stick with it! 🙂

 

[MGMorden]

I wouldn't say any one is particularly easier than another, just different (exclude Mandrake if you're staying completely in the GUI world. it's pretty simple but you kinda defeat most of the purpose of running a Unix-type system). Just pick one that suits your lifestyle, learn it well, and stick with it. Things will vary quite a bit (some things will also be the same, it just depends). I've used many different distros of Linux and I've also tried FreeBSD, but the only thing I feel REALLY comfortable in is Slackware Linux (increasingly moreso with Redhat though as they're running it on 3 servers at work. It'll definately still be slackware at home for me though 🙂).