Linux vs BSD: Everything you Need to Know

Linux is by and large recognised as the biggest and best open-source operating system out there, packing tons of different distros for different uses and needs. A lot less is said about BSD and all its variants, an alternative open-source OS that's been around for decades longer and also has its following.

Here we compare Linux and BSD to give you an idea of which fits your purposes best.

Script by Rubaiat Hossain

[F-sx]

I'm looking to learn more about bsd but everything I find just lists off reasons why bsd is so great and is so much better than linux in every way. I'm looking for a more balanced take that I can trust to start making and informed decision.

[theosexpertdaymon]

Note on BSD WIFI hardware support: it's lacking in my experience. So if you're using a laptop you may be stuck with Linux or a very long ethernet cable. You could get a WIFI dongle that is supported; however most adapters on sale don't exactly have the chipset used listed making checking compatibility a pain.

[samsh-qa]

Somehow the BSD guys are even worse at selling their OS than the Linux dudes... how tf do you manage that?

[gregf]

Apple MacOS is 100% FreeBSD all the way down, with two minor exceptions: the way it handles Virtual Memory and certain, limited to Apple, Kernel extensions.
I've been a Linux user for decades but these days I am more favourably disposed to FreeBSD. Slower, more Software-Engineering based release cycle. It's perfect for robustness.

[brandonphilander]

BSD needs more virtualization and vfio / pcie passthrough support.

[classicallemur]

You seem to only take interest in the pros of bsd and the cons of linux, feels a little biased tbh.

[XteVision]

if you ever stumble over bsd on research or purpose, there is no way back. NetBSD was my first Approach back in the early 90ies on Amiga Computers. Yes I do like Linux as well. For now I work on my stuff with Darwin. BSD is pure unix. Propably the safest Computer Environment ever made. It's so simple, logical, and even blind folded, you will love this magic set.

[pavelyankouski]

BSD is a hidden Christmas present which is not for everyone

[jongeduard]

Note! I recognised the use of the word "distributions", for example at 1:11.
This is already where it goes wrong. These are BSD derived operating systems, not just distributions.
These BSD derived systems these days are a just group of related systems, they don't share a single code base like Linux does.

In fact there is actually only 1 Linux, which is only the name of the kernel, when used more correctly.
That same kernel is used in combination with GNU software (the GNU/Linux distributions), with Android and others. Like explained in this video itself.


By the way, what math fractal is that animation based on?

[moister]

BSD is too niche for now. Software support is always important it doesn't really depends if it's good, better or worse.

[DV-mlfm]

I use both linux and freebsd. My only gripe is that web browsers in bsd don't play drm content.

[stevejohnson]

On my unofficial experiment, FreeBSD and GhostBSD were more conservative on resources than Kubuntu. That was on my 2012 Toshiba laptop which doesn't have much to spare. What isn't on the various BSDs is Widevine. If you wish to play protected content, there is a published patch to get it working. I've not had success yet.

[Slateproc]

And for my next question; how agressively did Darwin split from BSD

[randomtopics]

"Everything you Need to Know", no mention of package management, file systems, installation process, terminal differences, etc.

[extenos]

i feel like bsd is more corporate and less community based, and it seems like it doesnt like foss as much. i guess ill just stick with linux

[kenkelvin]

I love that my FreeBSD not using as much cpu as this GNU bloat i literally can use my 128mb computer on the modern web with a single tab

[Zephyrus]

The licensing part of GNU GPL (v2 in this case) is straight up wrong, the GPL doesn't stop from making any software comercial, it stops from making software proprietary.
And it has one exception that allows you to make a software proprietary as long as it's not being distributed. That's why many SaaS products use GPL code in their base because they're technically not distributing the software because it's on their private servers, that's why AGPL (later GNU AGPL) was created to remove that exception.

Some examples of Commercial GPL software : Ardour, RHEL, etc.

[rwl]

Excellent video! Just curious...what desktop and window manager are you using in this video?

[paullanghorn]

Where can I download the stimulating psychedelic Kaleidoscope in motion background used in your presentation?

[DocLulzson]

*FreeBSD is great using right now btw*