I consider my way as quite typical path to become OpenBSD-newbie. 1.5 years ago I decided to remove Windows 10 from my home notebook.
Why not Linux? I have own experience in using Linux distros for work/home purposes on many machines. Actually Im not advanced but I pretend to have the confident opinion. At the first stage I made smth like table about well-known modern GNU\Linux distros with the pros and cons. I hoped to catch optimal solution for non-specific purposes. This approach failed due to classical "linux is a mess". I finished the review deciding to install Debian if OpenBSD-try fails on my notebook. Generally "Linux" is practically more convenient distro at the moment, but there are bad trends in linux world too as I see. Second, If I need to explain my final decision based on its esthetic component I declare that I want the elegant system with own straight way according to my understanding. I love holistic and consistent things. Why not FreeBSD? I was running it as desktop in 2007 on my home PC and I had few episodes with maintaining it remotely and as half-dead body in DC. Good modern system. It has own strong features and advantages. But none of them helps to choose FreeBSD as desktop or laptop in 2018 without any doubts. I think its true (IMHO) in 2020 too. Finally, I observe smth like crisis in FreeBSD's growth. Its future is not clear. Of course, future is not absolutely clear always and everywhere, but Im sure you understand what I mean. Sorry, FreeBSD-people. Let me stop to list rejected systems here. The full list of technical points I compared is too boring. And, of course, small note is not good option to tell why I reject each specific distro. OpenBSD was just experiment. I wanted to test it. Now I stay with OpenBSD. It is cool. OK, so, this experiment has the result. I tend to call it positive. The migration from Windows 10 to OpenBSD 6.4 completed successfully in short time (week). I guarantee that the function volume and comfort have not decreased dramatically. What I have got now as profit? First of all, I think it is not correct when one writes similar report in economic terms. OpenBSD project is not commercial. It is not product I think. For me it is interesting project with strong basement consisted of clear principles, strong team, long history, own community and clear future. In Linux area we have got huge size of community, and for practical purposes it is optimal to be with Linux, because scale helps user to find answers, it provides wide spectra of software for every task. In OpenBSD users has got not so rich economics. The obvious fact is "if you want your best system you need to contribute and to do smth for the project". So, what is my profit (vs Windows)? I have old-school transparent OS: https://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html#46 https://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html#45 https://www.openbsd.org/lyrics.html#61 My computer works fully on my own tasks; my data is only my data; unix-way; correctness; proactive security; controlled reboot and update; I have not extra and imposed stuff. I thank all participants of the OpenBSD project (developers, devops etc) and all OpenBSD users. I thank OpenBSD Foundation and its contributors for their help. Disclaimer. I love Windows and I continue using it due to current work. Windows is product for certain areas. OpenBSD and Windows are not competitors. But OpenBSD is quite universal instrument and I hope to install it instead of Windows soon where it is depends on me and if it is possible technically and legally. The reason why I will do it is just desire to increase experience for the project. Few words additionally. To be honest I have to say that I use wi-fi via usb-adapter because my on-board card doesn't work here. If you migrate please check you hardware using available information. The situation is very good, you have good chances to launch OpenBSD without appearing troubles. Perhaps, the another option would be to build the best configuration for your OpenBSD-PC. Share your experience ! ----- Best Regards, Stanislav Gilmulin -- Sent from: http://openbsd-archive.7691.n7.nabble.com/openbsd-user-misc-f3.html
