On Friday 12 September 2003 11:18 pm, you wrote:
> > My question is to what degree are they interchangeable for a desktop [NOT
> > a
> > server or router] box? Exactly how difficult would it be for say a RMS to
> > use
> > any one of the four kernels is say a Mandrake or a Red Hat?
>
> If you're talking about that elusive "desktop experience" then you can
> fairly easily duplicate your KDE or Gnome desktop on FreeBSD. If you're
> looking for the same tools as RedHat or Mandrake provide then it's not so
> easy.
>
> To clarify, the GNU tools (compilers, shells, utilities), X, window
> managers (Gnome, KDE, fluxbox, among others) work fine on FreeBSD. In
> fact, many may have been on FreeBSD before Linux. The default shell is
> different, as are things like startup scripts and file locations, but
> this is trivially changed.
>
> The problem arises in two main areas:
> Manufacturers tend not to release FreeBSD drivers.
>
> The Linux distributors built their identifying toolset (installers,
> configuration utilities, etc) assuming an underlying Linux system. They
> make assumptions about where files are located, the setup of /proc,
> threading system and other "linuxisms". These are not so easily duplicated
> and may require significant rewrites.
Which in the end probably means that if you have to ask the question it's
going to be so much a battle that you would not pull it off.
I for one would not dream of mixing up a system like that. Mind you I would
not be doing it just for the hell of it, as I'd want a fully functioning
system. Which brings it back to being a collossal pain in the butt.
If you're in school and have nothing better to do it would be interesting to
see what would work with what and require what to make it so. Could be very
interesting. Starting with a kernel only and adding things and so on.
If it was done to see if you could get the best out of two worlds I'd think
you'd end up with the worst of two worlds, either a crippled or an unstable
system and a lot of work. How's that for a challenge?
--Steve _________________________________________________ This sig is pending approval by SCO's legal team. Licensing fee's expected to be "fair", i.e. $999. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list is provided as an unmoderated internet service by Networked Knowledge Systems (NKS). Views and opinions expressed in messages posted are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NKS or any of its employees.
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