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Neil Williams wrote: > On Sun, 13 May 2007 15:25:56 +0100 > Anton Channing <achanning@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> What are their advantages and disadvantages >> over using Linux distros? > > Generally, new hardware tends to be supported in the Linux kernel first. > > Don't forget, there is also the GNU Hurd kernel - again with an > unofficial port in Debian. Yes, GNU Hurd is something I've been excited about since I first hurd of it. I'm not really prepared to mess around with my main PC, but I would like to experiment next time I have a spare machine to mess around with. I usually end up taking an old machine off someones hands in the end... :) >> Are their open >> source licenses 'less open' than Linux? > > YES. open source != free software. > > http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html I suspected as much. I just hadn't looked into where FreeBSD and OpenSolaris fit with that. I think I got sold on the Free Software side of the fence when I read the bit about 'Open Source DRM'. > Always ensure you have a free software OS, not just an open source OS. > Open Source includes licences that infringe on your freedom, limit your > ability to share, reduce the opportunity to reuse code and can expose > you to unnecessary legal risks - including forcing you to pay up to > "compensate" certain open source companies. > > All free software is open source but the reverse is NOT true. > Some open source software can actually be considered proprietary. > > Debian non-free (and Ubuntu restricted) are all open source but none of > those are actually free. > > Don't surrender your freedom! > >> Just curious. >> >> Next time I get a spare PC to mess around >> with I might perform some experiments with >> these and various Linux distros. > > I experimented with lots of variants before settling on Debian and I > would recommend everyone to do the same. Whatever you do, do not stay > on the first GNU/Linux distro you installed. Few distributions can > survive the learning curve from newbie to intermediate or experienced > user. Whatever you choose at the start, you are very likely to outgrow > it eventually. I am on my fourth distro already. And it does everything I want (except do my dishes, but then I haven't found any kind software that will make my PC do that for me). I'm on ubuntu at the moment. My previous was Sarge. So I might go back to Debian at some point, since they have obviously moved on since then. In the mean time, Ubuntu Feisty Fawn has been a lot easier to set up than Sarge was. Anton -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html