Where to start
reddit / BSD

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[deleted] · 2021-04-16 15:30

[deleted]

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C0c04l4 · 2021-04-16 15:38

open

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NitroNilz · 2021-04-16 16:01

Depends on a lot of things.
Do you want an easily set up GUI experience then **NomadBSD**,
**GhostBSD** or the very new **HelloSystem** (MacOS-like desktop).

If you're not afraid of textual configuration and install go for
**FreeBSD**, **OpenBSD**, **NetBSD**, **DragonflyBSD**.

If you are *practically paranoid*, want a smooth "everything just
works on my laptop"-, minimal-, no-bloat-, don't mind sacrificing some
performance (for security) and no Linux binary compatibility and
hardly any bluetooth func. experience:
**OpenBSD**. Probably works well on your server too.

If you prefer performance focus and more "nice things" and a bit more
tedious install, Linux binary compat. (so you can enjoy DRM content
like Spotify/Netflix), lots of virtualization and "containers"
(Bhyve/jails/++), ZFS (huge selling point), etc.:
**FreeBSD**.

**NetBSD** more niche. Has basic ZFS available, more source based (as
I understand it), minimal.

**DragonflyBSD** made to serve ;)

I've personally only ran **NomadBSD/ GhostBSD/OpenBSD** on x86
(32-bit) and amd64.

I've heard most of them have superb documentation and communities, are
a lot less _messier_ than **Linux** and have roots back to **original
UNIX** and actual code from the latest **BSD** release (that certainly
tingles my pringles).

From the top of my head, my to cents.

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desnudopenguino · 2021-04-16 17:12

I'd throw my vote in for openbsd. My current laptop is an x230t, with
a busted screen so it is hooked up to an external monitor.

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entr0p1st · 2021-04-16 17:30

Thank you for this information

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entr0p1st · 2021-04-16 17:31

Thank you all. I'll start my BSD adventure with openbsd

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NitroNilz · 2021-04-16 17:51

Good choice.
There are a couple of relatively recent YouTube videos from Arch users
switching to OpenBSD, actually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqRJDbtZW3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukTOfcu1e0w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfQLsBPTwbU

Some of these channels are worth subscribing to!

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doa70 · 2021-04-16 18:32

I see lots of votes for Open, I was thinking Free myself.  Almost a
toss up for me.

I’m the sort that plays with OS though. I’ve had and used computers
since the early 80s, I’ve gone through plenty of OS. Today it’s some
Linux distro, tomorrow BSD, maybe Plan9 next week. Windows 10 and
macOS have their (important) places for me as well.

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laffer1 · 2021-04-16 19:30

You can also use MidnightBSD. Disclaimer: it’s my project

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gerlevodka · 2021-04-19 10:36

FreeBSD i think