[TUHS] FreeBSD behind the times? (was: Favorite unix design principles?)

[Larry McVoy]

On Sun, Jan 31, 2021 at 10:11:19AM +1100, Greg 'groggy' Lehey wrote:
> > I remember when Linux was this bad in the .90ish releases.  A long
> > time ago.  Now their install is painless, it's every bit as good as
> > Windows and maybe better.
> 
> FWIW, I find Microsoft "Windows" installation terminally confusing
> (that's what you were talking about, right?).  And I've run into
> serious problems with various Linux installations too.  That doesn't
> make the FreeBSD tools better, but maybe it relativizes it.

Um, my mother could install any Linux system today and 10-20 years ago.
There is not the slightest chance that she could install FreeBSD.

> The FreeBSD installer *does* install X if you select it.

Linux installers start in X.  No "select it" required.

> > FreeBSD is stuck in the 1990's in terms of user interface.
> 
> You're still talking about the installer, aren't you?  

Yup.  If FreeBSD wants anyone to use it, fix that installer.  99.99%
of people would give up after seeing that, you'd never get them to 
userland.

> > They've done some good stuff in the kernel but it's not an end user
> > system,
> 
> There I have to agree with you.  A little TLC would go a long way.
> But I hope that you're not advocating the "change your GUI with your
> underwear" attitude that Microsoft, Apple and many Linux distros
> have.  One of the reasons I don't use Linux is because every time I
> try, the interface has changed.

Try xubuntu, that's what I use.  Pretty light weight UI but all the
parts are there and it doesn't change much.