*BSD News Article 33011


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From: mdw@cs.cornell.edu (Matt Welsh)
Subject: Re: I hope this won't ignite a major flame war, but I've got to know!
Message-ID: <1994Jul19.025153.10080@cs.cornell.edu>
Organization: Cornell CS Robotics and Vision Laboratory, Ithaca, NY 14850
References: <1994Jul18.093302.19670@wmichgw> <30e4dr$jno@bigblue.oit.unc.edu> <1994Jul18.212715.18684@dde.dk>
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 1994 02:51:53 GMT
Lines: 25

In article <1994Jul18.212715.18684@dde.dk> kim@dde.dk (Kim Andersen) writes:
>>9) The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) is doing a fantastic job. Anyone
>>   trying to decide between BSD and Linux would find the Linux's Installation
>>   and Getting Started Guide a good incentive to follow Linux. I can't
>>   give Matt, Michael, et all enough kudos for their good work there.
>The *BSD's have had documentation from the very start, you can even get
>a book about the os.

Yet another reason why Linux is better in many people's opinions---there's
a lot more to be done. FreeBSD is far from a closed-book issue, but the
nature of development isn't as swiftly-paced nor participatory. From the
hacker's point of view, Linux has many more frontiers to explore. From
what I understand, the *BSD projects don't consider experimental development
vital---hence, the semi-closed development hierarchy.

These are just observations---make of them what you will. The strongest
categorization of the two projects is that *BSD moves at a somewhat slower,
and perhaps more careful, pace. On the other hand, Linux is more hackish,
less organized, more dynamic. Some consider *BSD to be more stable, easier 
to install, less confusing, and so on. Nevertheless, I have heard the same 
said in reference to Linux. 

It's all been said before. 

M. Welsh