I would choose BSD over Linux for a server any day, unless I need to run software that doesn’t work on BSD, which is sometimes the case.

BSD doesn’t really target desktop users as much as Linux does, it’s more geared towards networking and security.

Also, I would choose OpenBSD over FreeBSD, unless I needed foreign language support which is sadly missing in OpenBSD.

The main reason is the fact that linux has way more bleeding edge software and hardware support. Half the computers Ive owned can’t run BSD well (if at all) because modems, wireless cards, motherboards (ACPI issues), just arent compatible…

but linux ran just fine on all of them.

as someone else says it really comes down to what works. Hell windows ME is the best choice if its what gets you the most use out of the computer (unlikely lol)

For the *nix l33t sure we can compile programs to work on BSD but how many dumbass JOHN DOE’S can actually do or UNDERSTAND what compile means?

Bottom line is, BSD still needs a few “hacks” for stuff to work unlike linux where it JUST works.

This is the main reason why Manufacturers like HP and Asus chose Linux over BSD. You may not like the idea but IT IS easier to use.

Stability and Security of BSD over Linux has long been used as an argument of BSD FANBOYS but I agree this debate will get nowhere unless you define what you mean by “STABILITY”

Even Microsoft has published a “MY OS IS MORE STABLE THAN YOURS” argument

http://www.over-yonder.net/~fullermd/rants/bsd4linux/bsd4linux2.php

As far as usage goes I would be more apt to use BSD for a server than a desktop. Linux compatibility layers still have to be installed in order to use BSD as a full functioning desktop.

But I know that when it comes to stability in a networked environment I would choose BSD over Linux. The stability of the BSD line is far more stable than Linux. Although Linux stability does make other operating systems look like they are built on a sandy foundation.

You could have this debate all day long and get nowhere. It is as pointless as the KDE vs Gnome debate.

I’ve used (Free)BSD and Linux. I chose Linux because ultimately I had more experience with it so it was easier for me to find my way around.

For some reason BSD wouldn’t read my pendrive, but that might be because I was trying that on a SPARC box and the USB was dodgy.

I found PC-BSD to be pretty good. Nice graphical installer, good selection of packages.

Ultimately though, I’m not sure why anyone thinks either Linux or BSD is ‘better’ than the other. There’s very little to tell between them (not like Linux or BSD against Windows, for example) and you can achieve the same on each.

As a Linux user there’s nothing in BSD to make me want to change. If I were a BSD user, I can’t imagine there’d be much to make me want to change there either!

In the end it’s about the applications and MAKING THINGS WORK. And they do with the top Linux distro’s.

Also, BSD is dying.. as is Unix.
Maybe sad, but true.