Lately, I have been researching the possibilities presented by BSD-based operating systems, which are fully functional systems, each focused on a specific task.

I must say that I am not a hater of any system; I simply do not like the direction that Linux has taken in recent years and have decided to expand my horizons.

First, let’s indicate the strong points of each BSD system:

• FreeBSD: Multithreading, network performance, and ZFS.
• OpenBSD: Security.
• HardenedBSD: Security.
• NetBSD: Embedded systems.
• DragonflyBSD: Very large systems with CPUs of more than 64 cores.
• NomadBSD: LiveCD/USB.
• GhostBSD: Desktop and ZFS.
• FreeNAS: NAS.

These are the main reasons:

• Greater stability since they are designed first and then implemented, whereas Linux grows on the go.
• FreeBSD supports Boot Environments , which allows us to update physical systems without any risk.
• They focus on doing things right, not quickly, thus achieving higher quality code.
• They are based on the Unix philosophy in which software should do one thing and do it well.
• They achieve greater ease of use and functionality since everything is organized in a much more natural and intelligent way than in Linux.
• There is hardly any variability in the functioning of the system, what we learn today will serve us for decades. This does not mean that improvements are not made, but rather that the user part is not broken when such improvements are made.
• The simplicity of the RC system makes configuring the system and its services really easy.
• The entire system is planned consistently, they are not independent moving parts in which the operation of some has been forced with others.
• The incorporation of new software versions is done when the software is considered stable, ensuring that the system is not broken.
• The entire community, in general, is technically more prepared than the Linux community. Any forum member will generally have more level than a Linux user, which will allow us to solve doubts more quickly and efficiently.
• The operating system and base tools form an inherent set, so the base system is never broken since everything has been tested together.
• FreeBSD follows standards, not fads.
• The quality of the system takes precedence over quick and dirty hacks to achieve “fancy features”. It does not give the feeling of being all stuck together with tape and gum.
• User programs are separated from the base system, for example, system configuration resides under /etc while application configuration resides under /usr/local/etc.
• The man documentation is exact and precise, there is no need to waste time on blogs with outdated examples or searching Google for solutions from people who, in most cases, do not even know what they are doing.
• The FreeBSD handbook is a real gem, covering 90% of the material that any user/sysadmin may need.
• FreeBSD tries to keep the system as simple as possible, so a user can understand how it works and modify it if desired.
• The entire system revolves around two key concepts: KISS/Stability.
• Above all, they do not obey the demands of companies to please their particular commercial needs.
• Possibility of installing binary packages or compiling the source code ourselves using ports.
• The Jails virtualization system is a real wonder, stable, flexible, and easy to use.
• It is a rolling release system.
• FreeBSD allows the user to install software from precompiled packages or through ports, with which we can obtain higher performance, lower RAM usage, and even safer software since the attack surface of binaries is reduced.
• Finally, and not least, it does not use systemD (RedHat, Mozilla Foundation, and CloudFlare, all the evil corps of free software).