Bsduser at SDF-EU

BSD and UNIX-Like STUFF

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What is UNIX (tm)?

Firstly, please note that both Unix, (Linux, BSD and Commercial Unix), as well as Microsoft Windows all have there place. No one Operating System, (O/S) fits all 'needs'. For example, Windows 10 makes a fantastic desktop, it installs on modem hardware with ease.

Historically, Linux distro's did not detect a sound card or had trouble with video drivers. For ease and simplicity, Win 10 for mass roll-out or inexperienced users can not be beaten. That said, most modern Desktop Linux and BSD distro's also tend to work with little effort 'out of the box' these days, try Ubuntu for example.

BSD: BSD, or Berkeley Software Distribution to give it it's full name has been around for a long time and is considered a 'proper' Unix. The Unix name is held by the Open Group so legally BSD and Linux can not be called Unix, but Unix Like or Unix variants. At present, there are a number of BSD versions, most are free and one is commercial. They are; OpenBSD, NetBSD, FreeBSD, MidnightBSD, DragonflyBSD and Mac OSX

Net and Free BSD are the oldest, both being derived from a fork in the original 386BSD, with OpenBSD being a later security focused offering and Dragonfly coming much later as a fork from the FreeBSD OS. Wiki page for BSD's

Which BSD, well they are all secure, they are very robust and are all free to download and use. FreeBSD is a good solid OS and a good one to start with as it runs on a wide range of Intel processors, is very stable and is considered a good network Server platform as well as operating as a very reliable desktop OS.

Linux: The Linux philosophy differs from that of BSD and you may find the Open and Independent approach a little too chaotic sometimes. With so many Distributions (called Distro's see distrowatch.com) based on other distro's it is hard to get to know them all.

Slackware is one of the oldest Linux Distro's and aims to be a stable Unix like OS. You will not find cutting edge applications and drivers in Slackware, but you will find an OS that can be used as a reliable Server.

A fully supported Linux can be bought from Redhat who offer Enterprise level O/S as well as a fully Open Source product. Novell also offer a fully supported Linux called SUSE, as with Redhat an Open Source product is also available.

It is worth noting that Apple MACOS is also a fully accredited UNIX , based on FreeBSD it is an 'out of the box' Unix system/workstation all ready to go. UNIX

If you want to sample Linux, without the risk and hassle of installing the OS on your hardware, the Linux Live CD-ROMs can provide an easy solution.

One of the best known and widely respected of the Live Linux's is Ubuntu. It boots and runs from CD-ROM (or a RAM disk if you have enough system memory), and gives access to hundreds of applications in a windowing environment. 'Google' Live Linux for any number of good quality Linux's to try out at no risk, most will run from a USB stick with little effort.

BSD is a little different, these days there are not many 'Live' CD versions out there, you can try out BSD, by downloading the ISO image of a FreeBSD based Live system here Free BSD.

Or you can get a shell account from Freeshell SDF. The SDF run's on NETBSD and is a good and very low cost option if you just want to dip your toe in the water of BSD.

More of my BSD Stuff

Command-Line tips and tricks I use

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