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Moving to FreeBSD from Linux

The author explains their decision to switch from Linux to FreeBSD, detailing the differences in system administration, package management, and overall philosophy. They share their initial impressions and the learning curve involved in making the transition.

Background

- FreeBSD is a free, open-source Unix-like operating system known for its stability, security, and well-documented codebase. It is distinct from Linux; the two share many tools but use different kernels and system architectures. - The author is moving *from* Linux (the dominant OS for servers and developers) *to* FreeBSD. This is a notable technical migration, not a casual switch. - FreeBSD's development model is centralized (a single team produces the OS as a cohesive unit), whereas Linux is a kernel developed by a loose global community, with distributions (e.g., Debian, Fedora) handling the rest. - Many cloud infrastructure projects (Netflix's streaming servers, WhatsApp's backend, Sony's PlayStation, Apple's macOS kernel) depend on FreeBSD-derived code, making it more relevant than its small desktop share suggests.

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