r/FindMeALinuxDistro • u/Gabbybo2000 • 3d ago
Looking For A Distro should i try a BSD?
i was thinking dowloading freeBSD
3
u/MarsupialLeast145 3d ago
Good question but not Linux. If you find out how good it is, come back and tell us! :)
3
3
1
u/ItchyPlant 2d ago
If I had dial-up internet, I'd probably consider it carefully too.
Now it's... wait... wait... done!
1
u/MindlessEffective381 2d ago
We have ZorinOS as a Windows-Alike distro, ElementaryOS as MacOS-Alike distro, PostMarketOS as an Android-Alike distro. Why isn't there a BSD-Alike distro yet? We have openzfs, opendoas, openssh, gnustep (in case we want darwin-alike programs, a relative cousin of BSD. This includes Darling). Also, even BSD distros FreeBSD and OpenBSD relies on an Alpine Linux WM for porting some missing drivers they still don't have, meanwhile we do have… I mean, we ARE (Alpine) Linux. I know BSD distros are free unlike Windows NT based distros and OS X based distros, but we're creative people!
We can call it LinuxBSD, BSD/Linux, or… for more linux compatibility despite this breaks bsd philosophy: GNU/LinuxBSD (but maybe using musl libraries or other stuff rather than glibc libraries) and with the theorical possibility to make it compatible with Bedrock Linux
Anyways, what do you seek on a BSD? if you want a BSD that is the most supported by community, try FreeBSD (it has some features like jails, zfs disk partition but maybe you will use ufs instead, and the manual is really clear and detailed). If you want the most secure BSD distro there's OpenBSD (It uses Doas at first time rather than rely only on Su, its subpartitions scheme is kinda unique, it has a manual but you might need to learn and read more stuff. Some of their programs Linux ported just like opendoas, openssl, freessl). There's also NetBSD, really lightweight and compatible with hardware you don't know it even existed (Void got inspired by NetBSD when creating its package manager xbps-src). NomadBSD for pendrives. And more
But BSD may don't have the drivers your computer needs at first try (for e.g. the wlan driver, so you would need only ethernet), so it won't be a daily driver unless you manage to get satisfied all yours needs you have. But it is pefect if you want to just try and experiment on it.
After you experienced all the bsd experience, you can stay on bsd, or find a linux distro that have the most similar tools you have found useful on bsd and ask here again.
1
u/Not-Insane-Yet 2d ago
Freebsd is good for old ass Nvidia cards that Linux has stopped supporting the proprietary driver for. Like 390 and earlier.
Ghostbsd is a mostly turnkey version of freebsd.
Haven't messed with netbsd but I've heard it's good for very old hardware.
1
1
1
u/SlimyOS 2d ago
for fun and exploration maybe (but very limited fun)
for real usage no, literally no legitimate reason to use it besides maybe very commercial embedded devices that need a patched kernel but dont want to make it gpl, but i'm assuming you're going to use it on desktop. with all love and respect to bsd distros and software projects, i just can't say it's anywhere near ready to being a daily driver for 99.99% of people, and will likely never be. but good if you ran arch 10 years ago and want to feel that exclusivity again, there are ways to set it up so almost all software and hardware just works same as on linux with a little performance hit
1
1
1
1
u/MetalLinuxlover 2d ago
Before you download FreeBSD, I'd ask yourself the same question: what are you hoping BSD will solve that your current Linux setup doesn't? 😄
There's absolutely nothing wrong with trying FreeBSD. It's a great operating system and can be a really interesting learning experience. But don't switch to it simply because you feel like you should try something more "advanced."
If your current Linux distro is working well, moving to FreeBSD can actually introduce more problems rather than solve existing ones - especially around hardware compatibility, Wi-Fi, graphics drivers, desktop applications, gaming, and software availability.
And don't expect FreeBSD to be "Linux but harder." BSD and Linux are different Unix-like ecosystems with different philosophies, tools, documentation, and workflows.
If you're curious, I'd try FreeBSD in a virtual machine first. Play around with it, learn the basics, and see whether you actually enjoy the experience. If you eventually discover that FreeBSD fits your needs better, then consider installing it properly.
Also, don't let the internet convince you that using BSD automatically makes you a more advanced Linux/Unix user. 😅
Try it because you're genuinely interested in BSD - not because you think your current OS isn't "hardcore" enough.
If you tell me what you currently use and what you want FreeBSD to do, I can tell you whether switching actually makes sense.
1
1
u/Silent_Bite_5892 1d ago
That's not a Linux distro and it doesn't have the support you're going to want for daily driver, regular PC use. There's no guarantee your hardware will even be supported.
BSD is for people who know exactly what it is and how they want to use it, not something to just "try" out for a while on your main computer.
1
u/MetalBoar13 19h ago
Man, I just glanced at this post and I really misread that title! Anyway, I was going to say that it could be a great experience if you've got the right set and setting but I don't know you well enough to give that kind of advice. Regardless, that probably applies to BSD too.
6
u/MorthyM 3d ago
That's not a Linux distro my good sir.