FreeBSD vs NetBSD reddit / BSD ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-25 20:59 FreeBSD vs NetBSD, which is your favorite and why? I'm trying to switch from (Arch) Linux to a BSD operating system but I can't really decide between FreeBSD and NetBSD... What are the key differences? What type of people are they suitable for? Please help me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rob2g2 · 2020-08-25 21:32 First question: what are you intending to accomplish? Do you want to program embedded stuff, play around with the OS/kernel stuff, do research and tinker around? - NetBSD. Do you want to have a Desktop system or a server? FreeBSD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-25 21:37 Hmm I mainly do programming (not at a low level) so basing on your reply I should choose FreeBSD. Is it true that I may have some issues with Node.js/Electron-based applications? Some issues were also concerning the Netflix streaming... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rob2g2 · 2020-08-25 22:28 yes, however, I don't know the current status of electron as I tend avoid any electron based application. Netflix streaming is not possible, maybe via Linuxulator, I don't know however anything you have to do with Linuxulator is probably quite some tinkering around with an unstable result. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-25 22:46 The things you said about Linuxulator remind me of my first attempts to play on Linux using Wine :') However, is it an issue related to DRM? Why Linux yes, Windows yes but FreeBSD (and others) no? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- xXR01I1Xx · 2020-08-26 00:03 Yes it's because of DRM. Widevine isn't available for FreeBSD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-26 00:20 Ah I see ---------------------------------------------------------------------- the_hiacer · 2020-08-26 03:08 "a BSD distribution" would surely make some BSD guys uncomfortable. If you are not interested in the kernel stuff but something like, say, Python/JavaScript, thing, IMHO, it is better to stick with a Linux distro. You won’t note any substantial differences with these high level languages. If you want to try out C or anything that deals a little bit deeper into the system and a little bit closer to the kernel and device drivers, then it worth a try on both FreeBSD and NetBSD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kub-kun · 2020-08-26 07:53 For new users O would recommend FreeBSD its just easier. You will find out the difference while using both OSs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rob2g2 · 2020-08-26 08:26 yes, same experience here ... at some point fun to dabble around if you have time but the time I have spent with Linuxulator would probably have been better spent on trying to port the software to FreeBSD or start a not-so-feature-rich fork. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rob2g2 · 2020-08-26 08:28 I suggest installing FreeBSD, and use bhyve to virtualize the stuff you need. I have a Windows + Linux VM where I can use rdp to connect to and use software that does not run on FreeBSD ... so all in all I use one of those VMs maybe twice a month for an hour. You could also play around with NetBSD/OpenBSD in a VM ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-26 09:41 Thanks ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2020-08-26 09:50 Gonna edit it instantly! I'm just tired of Linux and I want to try something new. I read of the several advantages of FreeBSD (and other BSD operating systems) over Linux and they were pretty interesting so the switch to BSD is something I will do for sure. The main programming language I'm interested in is Rust and it's compatible so... it's not that kind of high level language but it's not a low level language either. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- krytarowski · 2020-08-26 16:31 NetBSD has a welcoming community gathered on [https://www.unitedbsd.com/](https://www.unitedbsd.com/) and is generally good enough if you are familiar with it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- freepackets · 2020-09-13 14:19 Then you may want to follow [this course](https://stevens.netmeister.org/631/) with NetBSD. I enjoy it very much. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CRaZ-y_Hax · 2021-02-05 20:12 Rust is low level ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2021-02-05 20:59 Hahahahahahahaha very funny... Assembly is low level, Rust is not. [This](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-level_programming_language) Wikipedia page may be useful to you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CRaZ-y_Hax · 2021-02-08 11:17 The definition of low level has evolved and the wikipedia page is saying it needs to be updated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2021-02-08 12:24 Why should the definition change? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CRaZ-y_Hax · 2021-02-11 15:26 The reason is these days languages abstract more from the user so now rust and c is considered low level among people ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edo-lag · 2021-02-11 16:11 Try to have a look at [techterms.com](https://techterms.com/definition/low-level_language), [computerhope.com](https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/l/lowlangu.htm) and the [Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/low- level-language)