Distributions based on the Linux kernel are the most popular open source alternatives to Windows or macOS. In this post we will see an easy introduction to the FreeBSD universe.
Of the other non-Linux open source alternatives, the BSD derivatives are perhaps the most complete in terms of functionality, security, hardware compatibility, and number of applications.
The origins of the FreeBSD universe
Unlike Linux, which was from the beginning a reconstruction of Unix carried out by Linus Torvalds, xBSD systems are direct heirs of the operating system developed by Bell Laboratories. The link is through the version of Unix developed in the late XNUMXs by a team of programmers at the University of California at Bekerley. Initially it was the version of Bell with some extras, but when AT&T, the parent company of the laboratories began to commercialize it, those of Bekerley began to replace the proprietary components with their own code.
In the nineties BSD published the Net2 version, which can be considered the first open source operating system, only the term had not yet been invented. Although it did not comply with the four freedoms of free software, its license was open enough to allow distribution with or without modifications and free access to the source code.
The success was so great that it generated cross-suits between Unix Systems Labs (which acquired AT&T's rights to Unix) and the University of California. By the time they settled on a deal in 'XNUMX, companies were too scared to use them and eventually turned to Linux.
Another difference that contributed to the popularity of Linux among developers is that the GNU license required the free distribution of the source code of derived products while the BSD did not. However, this should have stimulated companies to create commercial software.
FreeBSD
In 1993 two programmers ported Net 2 for Intel 80386 processors. It was known as 386BSD and, as its users considered that the development was not fast enough, they created their own fork known as FreeBSD, the release was supported by a company called Walnut Creek who hosted the new operating system on their servers, distributed them on cd, and published reference manuals.
Shortly after the release of the first version, the developers were forced to replace certain parts of the Net2 code that an agreement between the University of California and Novell determined to be the property of the latter. Novell owned the rights to Unix System Labs.
The project is currently under the control of the FreeBSD Foundation.
Easy introduction to the FreeBSD universe
The goal of the FreeBSD project is to provide software for anyone who needs it without any strings attached, although code is included under the GPL and LGPL licenses that place restrictions in the sense of making the free availability of the source code mandatory.
Unlike Linux distributions that include the Linux kernel and other tools (Usually developed by the GNU project), FreeBSD is a distribution under the complete control of the distribution.
However, its installation is not as friendly as that of Linux Mint, Ubuntu or Manjaro, luckily there are some alternatives that allow us to know some of its features. We can mention:
- NomadBSD: Is focused for use in live mode from a flash drive. You can use it as a normal operating system, to recover data or to see if your hardware will work with FreeBSD since it includes an automatic hardware detector. Its strengths are that it has persistence enabled (Changes remain when the computer is turned off) and it has low hardware requirements (1.2GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM).
- GhostBSD: Maybe it is the best choice for those who come from Linux since it uses the MATE desktop and comes with a selection of the most common free and open source software titles among 30 thousand other titles.