Is FreeBSD Linux?

I have been wanting to try Linux, and found a CD with FreeBSD and packages on it. It says this version of FreeBSD is more stable than the comparative version of Linux, but it seems just like Linux otherwise. (Though I haven't tried it yet) Is FreeBSD just a distro, or are they different?

 

Different. FreeBSD is a Unix derivative.

 

yeah its Unix but linux is kinda like Unix

 

Different kernels, different command shells by default. Different goals.

Linux is its own beast meant to be like Unix, but it is quite different.

 

Consider FreeBSD the more difficult and less compatible cousin to Linux.

Linux distros are usually fairly easy to install (D&*n you, Arch Linux!). They've got a lot of software that is either a direct port of a Windows program or are not ports but do the same job. For example, Flash works on Linux with very, very little work.

FreeBSD is much more difficult to install than most Linuxes and has less compatible software, case in point again being Flash. You can get Flash to work on BSD but you're going to need to read and work a lot.

I would consider FreeBSD more stable than most Linuxes, though.

 

Adrynalyne,

I like the Penguin!
And his hat
Can you make one looking at a broken window.
Hehe.

 

I found "Ubuntu 8.04.1" easiest for new users.
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu