Posts by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
(DIR) Post #Au2n1ZpVlLmj0jfRWC by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-05-13T01:59:17Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
My #Linux journey began over 20 years ago with this book. It will forever be in my collection. This weekend I was flipping through it - wow, what a great book. It's also crazy how much Linux has grown over the years. As much as I reminice over those old days, I definitely do not miss manually configuring my xfree86 config file! 🤣
(DIR) Post #AxCJhwLG86yWyoQAbI by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-08-15T12:41:58Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
The state of #Linux packaging seems to be a perpetual mess. There is no standard packaging format among distros (something that I don't think will be resolved any time soon) and I've always viewed third party packaging tools like #snap and #flatpak with skepticism, mainly from a #security perspective.After reading this, I'd rather deal with the perpetual mess of different package managers than the unraveling security headache that is Flatpak.https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/when-flatpaks-sandbox-cracks-real-life-security-issues-beyond-ideal#tech #technews
(DIR) Post #AxCjGX3ocBTvYoqyjg by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-08-15T19:44:36Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@contaminase So....that moment has finally arrived. Well, now I may as well just burn the DVD.
(DIR) Post #AxbPB0odvpYnyZqTTs by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-08-17T03:53:36Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Just upgraded my test laptop to #Debian #Trixie. Upgrade process couldn't have been any smoother...or any more boring!Will be upgrading the daily driver this week.This is one of the reasons why I love Debian. Rock solid stability, predictable, and boring aren't just for servers! #Linux
(DIR) Post #Axw7k9h5CHQen64k4m by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-09-04T17:36:13Z
2 likes, 0 repeats
@devwithzachary I miss the #PowerPC days. Cool architecture. About 10 years ago I had an old dual G5 given to me. There were some issues with it and getting #Linux installed and functioning correctly. I suspect it was more hardware issues.Great use of the old hardware!
(DIR) Post #AyT1urggRJrCqz8vtw by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-09-22T02:37:00Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
Well, this website is wild. Run functioning versions of vintage Mac and NeXT operating systems from the comfort of your own web browser.https://infinitemac.org#tech #apple #next
(DIR) Post #AzEkcJeYfu3NrlQFSy by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-10-15T00:07:18Z
0 likes, 1 repeats
@mcnado I've been using Linux since 2003-04 and it's been my daily driver since 2006. Desktop #Linux has come a loooooong way since your first experience two decades ago.Unless you have specific software which requires #Windows or #MacOS, especially considering the security issues and privacy violations, there is little reason to use them.
(DIR) Post #B0EmjgUEfE68zAmRns by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-14T13:24:56Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@stefano Great post! I've been using #Linux #FreeBSD for about two decades and want to share my experiences. For context, Linux became my daily driver and I dabbled in FreeBSD on the side.As a newcomer to both the #technology and #culture of #Linux and the BSDs, *back then* there was more toxicity. And by toxicity I mean abrasive and unhelpful responses ("RTFM!") or some kind of "l337" attitudes in various mailing lists and forums. This, of course, was before YouTube and Reddit, where the former mediums were more prevalent.Some Linux distros were friendlier than others. In those days, the #Debian mailing lists and forums were a rough place for newcomers and it drove a lot of people away. I left the forums because of that. I rarely post to the mailing lists but for other reasons.At some point, there was considerable effort to improve the etiquette in said mediums, particularly the mailing lists. Sure, some fiery disagreements can take place but overall people are friendly and welcoming.FreeBSD, on the other hand, has been a more positive experience. Yes, there are people who are vocal about their contempt for Linux, but they aren't disrespectful to other people.Having witnessed both communities grow and change over the years, there's definitely less toxicity and FreeBSD is still a more welcoming community.
(DIR) Post #B0HLtVoH6Gx7ToUlMW by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-15T19:08:13Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@stefano This is indeed a great post. Refreshing to read - the author didn't distro-bash but instead highlighted how needs were met.I have been leaning toward #FreeBSD after 20 years on #Debian, which has a special place in my heart. However, FreeBSD's *consistency*, elegant design, and better documentation are driving factors and I just can't look away. Over these two decades, Linux has definitely changed. It's no longer what it once was: a #Unix clone. It's evolved into its own thing. Software does that and that's OK. But a lot of the changes or "improvements" have been needlessly reinventing the wheel with a worsening user experience and convoluted results. The audio subsystems (ALSA -> PulseAudio -> Pipewire and of course the mess that is/was JACK) and #SystemD are two big examples.On SystemD, I don't disagree that Linux needed a modern init system. SystemD is faster, but from a human perspective it's worse. I am now typing *more* characters to manage services. Is there a reason why it couldn't be designed to manage services like:> $SERVICE start/stop/restartInstead, we are left with:> systemctl $SERVICE start/stop/restartBut I digress.#TBT I fell in love with FreeBSD when I first started my Linux journey in the mid-2000s, but only dabbled in it as it was never in any production environment I managed.I have a FreeBSD VM sitting in my lab somewhere but due to other factors rarely do I get to it. I'm thinking it's time I grab a spare laptop, load it up, and use it as a daily driver to really force myself to learn it.
(DIR) Post #B0KuJjaKUGCBeCWlBQ by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-17T12:17:52Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@stefano @christopher I am not sure if I'd say #Linux is becoming like #Windows. I do recall similar statements made on the Debian-User mailing list on a previous release when xorg introduced autoconfiguration. A lot of people were pissed that it was making choices for you instead of manually configuring the xorg.conf file.Honestly, that was a good thing. Painful doesn't begin to describe it but users were unaware they could still hand-configure the file.There has been, however, more stuff added to Linux over the last several years. Call it bloat, call it whatever you want. OSes change. But it has been gradually moving away from simplicity.I miss the simplicity.However, to reply to your original post, coming from COTS solutions, sometimes the vast amount of choice can be overwhelming. For instance, when it comes to #FreeBSD #jails it used to just be jails. Now, it's thin, thick, classic, networking. I understand they have their places but it would be helpful to provide more detailed explanations, tutorials, or best practices for each. The FreeBSD Handbook is good but just scratches the surface but often leaves more questions. It would help with learning and in part...marketing.On a side note: The FreeBSD Handbook is a great resource but there are opportunities to improve it, like tailoring it to new users (better empathy), best practices, architectural examples, and links to additional resources and info.
(DIR) Post #B0O3vSXk9PV7PkwHVA by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-19T00:49:58Z
1 likes, 1 repeats
@stefano Given the sheer number of customers which rely on Cloudflare and these other major tech companies, when experiencing outages, must be held accountable.*Stiff* fines and penalties are a start. I propose $10M per hour every hour service is down. This is inexcusable.
(DIR) Post #B0eKoD4bdMWfvBrEJ6 by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-25T12:43:55Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@stefano The *perception* that #Linux is anti- #Windows or #MacOS was understandable back in the day when Steve Ballmer was running the show and #Microsoft pumped out no shortage of anti-Linux FUD and propaganda.It's also important to note at that time the OS landscape was very different.
(DIR) Post #B0eKoFGNUZ8AiHNevw by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-25T18:03:21Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@ajlewis2 @stefano Microsoft's anti-Linux #FUD was probably the #best #marketing and #advertising and #promotion for #Linux.At the time, if memory serves correctly, Windows XP/2003 were the current OSes then. It wasn't like they were stable or secure. MS poured millions into those ads. 😂
(DIR) Post #B0eKoHGS3GNUv5QkKG by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-11-25T18:33:33Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@stefano @ajlewis2 They're Linux-heavy now because they were becoming irrelevant by holding onto legacy Windows tech. But, let's not forget two things:1.) Microsoft has always been, for decades, a reactive company and they have not innovated in years.2.) Their messaging has not been consistent with their actions. Even during the Ballmer days, they've had many production environments which ran Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris.We know that company's MO: embrace, extend, extinguish. But I can't help but seriously wonder what their long term plans with that OS are.On the other hand, had Ballmer not doubled down on NT and instead forked FreeBSD as their next-gen OS two decades ago then they probably would have crushed Linux in the data center.
(DIR) Post #B0soAPKGNSJRB0YaZc by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-12-03T20:31:45Z
2 likes, 2 repeats
The last new #Linux #kernel for 2025 was just released and there are some really cool changes all around. One of the new additions is detection for FreeBSD's #bhyve #hypervisor. Wicked cool!From the article:"In what might be a sign of the quiet continued spread of FreeBSD, the kernel can now detect and handle that it is running under FreeBSD's built-in bhyve hypervisor. Coincidentally, FreeBSD 15.0 just appeared as well, and in this release bhyve supports over 255 virtual processors [PDF] in a VM. Now Linux can handle that configuration."The juicy details are here:https://www.theregister.com/2025/12/03/kernel_version_618/#openSource #technews #FreeBSD #tech
(DIR) Post #B0uGDKCKtHte13zL8K by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-12-04T13:31:27Z
2 likes, 1 repeats
I had this recent exchange with my wife:Wife: What is FreeBSD?Me: It's Unix, an operating system, and it's awesome!Wife: Oh OK. The only reason I asked is because I am finding these FreeBSD CDs around the house. FreeBSD 12.0, 13.3, 14.0.Me: Yeah, I use the old versions as coasters for my tea mugs.Wife: *pauses, laughs* I can see that.#FreeBSD #homelab #tech #fun #unix #computers #freebsd15 #operatingsystem #awesome
(DIR) Post #B1nMkwfsPUlanAlsuG by peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe
2025-12-27T22:03:17Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@rl_dane I empathize completely. #Documentation is one area where #Linux falls behind #FreeBSD by several orders of magnitude.I love #Debian. It's my favorite OS but oh my gods the documentation is, at best, an afterthought. And yes, other distros are not that much better.It's actually *the* reason why I've been using FreeBSD more and taking the time to learn it.