Why Do I Use Linux Instead Of BSD?

Summary

In this video, DistroTube addresses a common question from viewers: why he chooses to use Linux instead of BSD on his main production machines. He explains that, despite being an advanced user who likes to explore challenging tools like Vim and Emacs, his preference for Linux is purely practical. Both Linux and BSD are free and open-source, aligning with his ideology, but Linux offers better hardware support and software availability, essential for his video content creation. DistroTube emphasizes that although he's not against BSD, his workflow would suffer by making a switch due to these limitations.

Highlights

• DistroTube uses Linux due to its superior hardware support, which is critical for his production work. 🖥️
• He emphasizes that his choice is not about looking cool but about using the best tool available. 🤔
• There's no ideological conflict with BSD as both it and Linux are open-source, aligning with his values. 🌻
• Software availability on Linux beats BSD, which is crucial for his video and audio content creation. 🎬
• While others may tout BSD's strengths, they don't align with his desktop-focused workflow needs. 🎧

Key Takeaways

• Linux offers superior hardware support and software availability compared to BSD, making it more suitable for content creators. 🎥
• Both Linux and BSD are free and open-source, so the choice is based on practicality, not ideology. 🤓
• Advanced users like DistroTube aren't just choosing tools for a challenge; they choose the best tool for the job. 💻
• Linux is currently the leading free and open-source operating system, but there's hope for BSD and others to catch up. 🐧
• There's no animosity towards BSD; it's simply not the best fit for certain users' needs right now. 🙌

Overview

Many viewers have wondered why DistroTube, a well-known Linux user, hasn't made the switch to BSD. In this engaging talk, he breaks down his reasons, pointing out that while BSD and Linux share the open-source philosophy, Linux simply meets his practical needs better, especially in terms of hardware support and software availability.

DistroTube debunks the idea that he, or other advanced users, opt for complex tools merely for the challenge or to look impressive. Instead, he stresses the importance of choosing the best tool for the job, highlighting how Linux allows him to efficiently run his YouTube channel without compromising on capability or ease of use.

While acknowledging the merits of BSD, he candidly discusses the potential drawbacks it holds for someone with his specific workflow. However, he remains hopeful that non-Linux open-source operating systems will evolve to become viable competitors, making them a worthy choice for enthusiasts and developers alike.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to the Topic In the introduction to the topic, the speaker addresses a common question from their audience: why they use Linux instead of BSD on their main production machine and home computer. They acknowledge the curiosity around their choice of operating system and hint at familiarity and proficiency with Linux as reasons for not transitioning to BSD. The conversation sets the stage for further discussions on operating systems.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Why People Believe I Should Use BSD The chapter titled 'Why People Believe I Should Use BSD' discusses the reasons some individuals perceive the speaker as a power user or an advanced computer user. The speaker explains how their journey into complex and niche topics, such as advanced text editors like Vim and Emacs, shapes this perception. These topics are described as technical, indicating a deeper level of engagement and expertise in such areas.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Reality of Using Advanced Tools This chapter discusses the perception and reality of using advanced tools. It highlights that while using complex systems might seem like an attempt to garner attention or demonstrate skill, for some users, it's a genuine preference driven by the challenge it presents. The author discusses how power users, often misunderstood as seeking style points, actually find a sense of fulfillment and addiction in navigating difficult systems, suggesting a self-masochistic drive in mastering such tools.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Misconceptions About Power Users The chapter discusses common misconceptions about power users who utilize tools like Vim, Emacs, tiling window managers, and command line interfaces. It addresses the stereotype that power users endure these tools for the sake of 'pain' or to appear cool. Instead, it argues that these tools are chosen because they are the best fit for the tasks at hand.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Choosing the Best Tool for the Job The chapter discusses the reasons for choosing an operating system, specifically focusing on the selection between BSD and GNU/Linux. The speaker clarifies that the choice is not based on ideological grounds since both BSD and GNU/Linux are free and open-source software. Instead, the decision is driven by practical and performance-based considerations, as GNU/Linux is perceived to perform better for the speaker's production needs.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Reason for Not Using BSD: Hardware and Software Support This chapter discusses the reasons for not using BSD operating systems, specifically focusing on hardware and software support. The speaker acknowledges that while some people successfully use BSDs like OpenBSD or NetBSD for their needs, these operating systems may not meet the requirements for more complex tasks such as video content creation. The speaker emphasizes that they are not prescribing a specific operating system for others but highlighting that BSD might not be suitable for more demanding uses due to its limitations in supporting certain hardware and software requirements.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Trade-offs of Switching from Linux to BSD The chapter discusses the trade-offs between using Linux and switching to a BSD operating system. Emphasis is placed on the importance of free and open-source software, suggesting that users should continue with BSD if it suits their needs. However, the speaker notes that for them, switching from Linux to BSD would be challenging, primarily due to hardware support issues. The Linux kernel supports a wide range of hardware, making it a more compatible choice for most users compared to BSD.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Not Being an Elitist In the chapter titled 'Not Being an Elitist,' the discussion focuses on the comparison between BSD kernels and the Linux kernel. The FreeBSD kernel is highlighted, praised for certain aspects such as hardware support, but acknowledged as trailing significantly behind the Linux kernel in both performance and available software. The speaker notes that many software programs used on Linux are not available for BSD systems, indicating a compromise in functionality for users who might switch.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Willingness to Switch if BSD Improves The chapter discusses the willingness to switch from Linux to BSD operating systems if they improve. The speaker expresses concerns about switching due to the limitations BSD currently has in supporting their workflow, particularly in video and audio production. They emphasize not wanting to sacrifice their channel's quality by moving to BSD without significant benefits or trade-offs that justify giving up what they have on Linux.
• 04:30 - 05:00: BSD and Other Open Source OS Exploration This chapter explores the concept of using BSD operating systems and compares them to Linux. The speaker discusses the motivations behind choosing a BSD OS, including the perception of exclusivity and elitism among some users. However, the speaker clarifies that they do not subscribe to using BSD as a means of self-validation.
• 05:00 - 05:30: BSD Community and Cultural Issues In this chapter titled 'BSD Community and Cultural Issues,' the speaker emphasizes the personal choice and practicality behind selecting software tools, such as tiling window managers and Arch Linux. They clarify that their choice in software is not influenced by others' opinions but rather by the effectiveness of the tools for specific tasks. Although the speaker currently doesn't find BSD to be the best fit for their needs, they express openness to adopting it in the future if it becomes suitable for their tasks.
• 05:30 - 06:00: Community Involvement and Online Presence The chapter discusses the speaker's views on various free and open-source operating systems, including BSD, Haiku, and React OS. The speaker appreciates the diversity and existence of these systems, despite not using them as main production machines. They mention having created videos about installing and reviewing these operating systems, expressing positive attitudes towards them.
• 06:00 - 06:30: Dealing with Community Backlash The chapter discusses the author's experience and views on BSD operating systems. It addresses a misconception that the author is against BSD or does not give it enough coverage on their channel. The chapter clarifies that while the author does not use BSD on their main production machine, it is not due to any dislike but rather practicality issues related to their specific needs. The author reassures their audience that they are not a 'BSD hater,' countering accusations and discussing the history and practicalities of using BSD.
• 06:30 - 07:00: Linux and BSD: Equal in Open Source Philosophy The speaker addresses misconceptions about their stance on operating systems such as Linux and BSD, emphasizing that their channel is not focused on promoting or criticizing specific operating systems. Instead, the channel's primary mission is to promote free and open source software, regardless of the operating system used. The speaker expresses neutrality and indifference towards Linux, BSD, Windows, and macOS, indicating that the open source philosophy is where their interest lies.
• 07:00 - 07:30: Licensing and Moral Standpoint on BSD The chapter discusses the licensing and moral standpoint regarding Linux and BSD, both of which are categorized as free and open-source software (FOSS). From the author's perspective, both operating systems hold equal moral value due to their open-source nature. The discussion highlights the significance of choosing the right software for individual needs, emphasizing that the decision between using Linux or BSD should be based on personal requirements rather than external opinions. The author addresses questions regarding potential issues with the BSD licensing, particularly in light of their support for the GNU Public License (GPL).
• 07:30 - 08:00: Community Interaction and Trolls The chapter 'Community Interaction and Trolls' discusses the speaker's preference for the GPL and other major free and open source licenses, including BSD, MIT, Apache, and Mozilla Public License (MPL). The importance of these licenses in promoting the free and open source software (FOSS) movement is emphasized, highlighting their role in fostering innovation and collaboration within the community.
• 08:00 - 08:30: Controversy in BSD Community The chapter discusses a controversy within the BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) community regarding software licenses. A key point highlighted is the preference for the GPL (General Public License) over other licenses such as BSD and MIT in the context of free and open-source software. The discussion touches upon the moral standpoint of these licenses, asserting that BSD is considered acceptable as it falls under the umbrella of open-source software, alongside GPL and MIT licenses. The chapter reflects on the non-proprietary nature of BSD, framing it not as 'evil' and acknowledging the speaker's comfort in running software licensed under BSD on a GNU/Linux system.
• 08:30 - 09:00: Security Concerns and Hardware Support The chapter discusses the challenges faced by a popular YouTuber who avoids engaging with online communities due to negative interactions. The narrator mentions their limited interaction with BSD communities and explains the reasons behind this, highlighting issues with haters and trolls that arise from having a significant public following.
• 09:00 - 09:30: Desire for Viable Non-Linux Alternatives The chapter discusses the author's decision to stay away from Linux community forums and platforms like Discord and Matrix. The reason given is to avoid being a distraction due to potential trolls and haters. The author is not personally bothered by criticisms but is considerate about not wanting others in the community to deal with negativity directed at them. This highlights a desire for alternatives to Linux that might not have the same community issues.
• 09:30 - 10:00: Future Scenarios and Preparedness In the chapter titled 'Future Scenarios and Preparedness', the speaker discusses a past controversy within the FreeBSD community. A significant point of contention was the change in the code of conduct to prohibit virtual hugs, which refers to sending emojis of hugs to others. This incident highlights challenges in community conduct regulations and the diverse perspectives on what constitutes appropriate behavior in digital interactions.
• 10:00 - 10:30: FreeBSD as an Alternative if Necessary The chapter discusses a controversial decision made by the FreeBSD community regarding their code of conduct. The community decided to ban virtual hugs and kisses, viewing them as inappropriate and akin to unwanted sexual advances. This sparked backlash as many found the decision to be unnecessary and absurd. Despite the controversy, the speaker indicates that such rules would not deter them from using FreeBSD as an alternative operating system.
• 10:30 - 11:00: Conclusion: Linux is Better for My Needs In the conclusion chapter titled 'Conclusion: Linux is Better for My Needs,' the author reflects on a personal preference for Linux based on community interactions and problem-solving approaches. The chapter touches on the broader societal tendency to invent and focus on non-existent problems, using the metaphor of 'virtual hugs.' The author suggests that these issues are not critical or devastating, akin to concerns around virtual hugs on the internet, implying that Linux offers a more practical and less dramatized approach to technology needs.

Why Do I Use Linux Instead Of BSD? Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 today i wanted to take some time to answer more in depth one of the more common questions i get from viewers of the channel is hey dt why don't you use bsd because people really want to know why i use linux on my main production machine here at the office and on my home computer you know why am i a good news slash linux user why haven't you moved to bsd yet because you know you can use bsd you can get it installed you can work it out because you do all of this other stuff i
• 00:30 - 01:00 understand why people ask this question but i mean i'm one of those people obviously a lot of people see me as a more advanced user a power user and i tend to dive pretty deep into various topics for example text editors right i started using vim a few years back and then i progressed even deeper than that going into emacs and these are really nerdy deep kinds of topics here bim and emacs it is seen as
• 01:00 - 01:30 something that is difficult to learn something really difficult to master and a lot of people think that me and other power users like this we often do these things more for a challenge more for looking cool in the public side you know we're trying to get style points that's why we use this hard stuff it's because it's like we're crack addicts right and then in this case we're addicted to just using really hard stuff is because we're i don't know some kind of self masochist
• 01:30 - 02:00 right we just we just enjoy the pain but that's actually not the case i again i think a lot of people that don't use these kinds of tools like vim and emacs and tiling window managers and you know the command line and things like that these really nerdy topics you know the power user kind of tools you know they imagine that you know we're just doing this just for the pain right just or just to look cool but that's not actually the case i use all of this stuff because it's the best tool for the job so why
• 02:00 - 02:30 don't i use bsd because the bsd operating systems are not as good as good news slash linux that is the only reason i don't use bsd on my main production machine it's not for any kind of audiological reasons or anything like that gnu slash linux is free and open source software the bsd operating systems are all free and open source software as well so ideologically morally i have absolutely no issues with bsd i could use bsd right if i didn't do what
• 02:30 - 03:00 i do as far as making all of this video content and stuff like that i know a ton of people are going to watch this video and say well i use open bsd and netbsd or whatever you know bsd operating system you're using on your machine but you're not doing what i'm doing right you have some very basic needs on a computer and i get that and if that's working for you keep using it right i i'm not ever going to tell people what operating system they should run i will say that the kinds of
• 03:00 - 03:30 software that you should try to run are free and open source software right so i want people to use free and open source operating systems and if one of the bsd operating systems is right for you hey man keep using it right keep doing it now for me i would be making my life extremely difficult by switching away from linux to bsd because mainly hardware support the linux kernel supports practically every piece of hardware known to man right it's the best operating system
• 03:30 - 04:00 kernel on the planet bar none the bsd kernels and they all have a different kernel right so the free bsd kernel is probably going to be the best one as far as hardware support and it's miles behind linux i mean it's so far away from linux it's not even close software availability as well a lot of the software i use on linux will not be available on any of the bsd operating systems so i would be sacrificing a lot of what i do you know a lot of what i do
• 04:00 - 04:30 currently as far as my workflow and making uh videos a lot of what i do with video a lot of what i do with audio i couldn't do on any of the bsd operating systems i i would really be sacrificing like the quality of my channel really to to move to one of the bsd operating systems why would i do that right well if i'm gonna give up so much to move from linux to bsd well what's the payoff what's the trade-off i gotta if i'm gonna give up something i hope that i'm gonna get
• 04:30 - 05:00 something in return right and no there's really no trade-off you know i'm gonna give up a whole lot and i'm not gonna get anything in return when i get to the bsd operating systems you know other than i guess if i was one of these elitist arrogant kind of people that i tried to validate myself by using really hard pieces of software then i i guess it would be a positive to say hey man i'm a bsd user and now i can lord over those peasants that are still running linux but again i'm not one of
• 05:00 - 05:30 those type of people i don't care what people think about the software i use i never have that's not the reason i use tiling window managers that's not the reason i use arch linux you know i use these things emags the reason i use these pieces of software is because it's the best tool for the jobs that i'm trying to do right and if bsd was the best tool for the job i gladly move to it one day they'll probably get there and when they do i'll give them a try i may install them
• 05:30 - 06:00 on my main production machine things like that but right now it's not even it's it's nowhere close and that's okay uh it's that's not throwing shade on any of those operating systems i'm happy the bsd operating systems are around i'm also happy that we have other free and open source operating systems around like haiku and react os and i've actually done some videos some install and first impressions of these various operating systems like the freebsd operating system and haiku and react os i've taken a look at some of the bsds on
• 06:00 - 06:30 camera ghost bsd true os back in the past before it died a pc bsd back in the past before it died so it's not like i'm anti-bsd i just can't use it on my main production machine for what i do and of course i'm making this video because a lot of people imagine that maybe i don't give bsd a lot of coverage or a lot of love here on the channel because i'm some kind of bsd hater i've been accused of that which is a little strange because
• 06:30 - 07:00 i never talk about bsd so like how can i be a hater like it's a topic that almost never comes up anywhere on my channel but apparently i must be a hater because i use linux well not not necessarily i actually i really don't care about linux i don't care about bsd and i really don't care about windows i don't care about mac os this channel these videos i make i are really not about operating systems i made this channel to promote free and open source software right and both
• 07:00 - 07:30 linux and bsd are free and open source software so in my eyes they are equal as far as from a moral standpoint right linux bsd both free and open source operating systems they're fantastic in my eyes both of them for that but at the end of the day which one will i use i'm going to use the one that's right for me and you should use the one that's right for you i've also been asked you know do i have a problem with the bsds because of licensing because everyone knows i'm a pretty big fan of the gpl the gnu public license and i do
• 07:30 - 08:00 love the gpl i try to license a lot of my stuff under the gpo but again at the end of the day i promote free and open source software and free and open source software is pretty much anything that's licensed under the gpl or the bsd license it counts as a free and open source license or the mit license the apache license the mozilla public license the mpl those are the five big ones right so anything under those licenses it's free and open source software now i
• 08:00 - 08:30 prefer the gpl among those licenses but they all count as free and open source software so again from a moral standpoint the bsd license is okay in my opinion i i run plenty of software on my gnu slash linux system that is licensed under the bsd license or the mit license so it's it's not like it's evil in terms of it's not proprietary software right they're all free and open source licenses so that's not a issue for me as far as you know the licensing for bsd and some people have
• 08:30 - 09:00 asked if maybe i had a problem with some of the bsd communities i typically don't interact a lot with communities online because of my status here you know having this rather popular youtube channel right i'm a well-known quantity and you know once you have a pretty good following of people then the haters and trolls just come out of the woodwork you're just constantly bombarded with people that just want to take shots at you so i don't really hang out on any community i don't hang out on
• 09:00 - 09:30 any linux communities you've never seen me you know do anything in any linux support form or hangout i don't hang out on discord matrix anything like that is because i'm i would be a major distraction i really don't care about haters and trolls you know what people say to me come at me with a tax it doesn't bother me but i don't want other people to have to deal with my haters and trolls so that i don't hang out in other communities because i don't want these innocent bystanders you know to
• 09:30 - 10:00 catch a bullet that was intended for me and this is i don't hang out on any bsd community so the bsd community i i don't know if it's a cool place a bad place i do know the probably the reason people ask this question is a few years ago i know there was a controversy with the freebsd guys where freebsd actually changed their code of conduct because they wanted to ban virtual hugs virtual hugs i guess you know like sending people emojis of
• 10:00 - 10:30 hugs and kisses you know showing affection with these virtual hugs and kisses the freebsd guy said no that's akin to you know unwanted sexual advancements on people and they forbid sending virtual hugs which is rather ridiculous right like everyone there was a lot of backlash from that because everyone saw how ridiculous needing the change of code of conduct to ban virtual hugs is but that doesn't bother me it's silly but that wouldn't prevent me from being a freakbsd user like i don't
• 10:30 - 11:00 really care it's not an issue and to be honest that's the kind of issue that comes up in every community where you these days unfortunately it's a sign of the times people so many people have this activist mindset where they're they they want to be seen as changing the world even if it means inventing a problem that's not really there like this virtual hug problem right it's not like the world was going to implode one day because there were too many virtual hugs being sent out on the internet right but you
• 11:00 - 11:30 know this person wanted to be seen as making some kind of important change in the world so you know he targeted virtual hugs and that's okay right i mean at the end of the day no one was hurt by those virtual hugs and nobody's really hurt by banning those virtual hugs now i know in the comments of this video many people are going to tell me the benefits of various bsd operating systems oh things that are better on freebsd you know you're going to love the networking stack on bsd rather than linux that's great if i worked on
• 11:30 - 12:00 servers as a sys admin or whatever i'm a desktop computer user that's primarily what i do so if i was a server administrator yes i would love bsd i'm not i know people are gonna the the open bsd guys are gonna tell me that it's the most secure operating system in the world and you know if you really care about security then you should be using the open bsd operating system and i do care about security but that their security comes at a price again hardware support
• 12:00 - 12:30 software availability yeah i'm going to have a really secure operating system that i can't do a lot of the stuff i want to do on so that's a trade-off i can't make but now other people will make and if it's a trade-off you can make hey again i won't fault you for it but please don't fault me for making my decision either now i mentioned i'm not really a fan of linux as much as i'm a fan of free and open source software so what i would really love i would love all of
• 12:30 - 13:00 these non-linux operating systems the free and open source operating systems like freebsd and openbsd and high q and react os i would love for them to eventually get to the point where they are a real viable alternative to gnu slash linux to where you know i could just if i needed to one day drop linux and move to one of these other operating systems and not miss a beat because i do worry right now with free and open source operating systems we really have
• 13:00 - 13:30 one it's it's a serious contender to the proprietary operating systems and that's gnu slash linux right now the bsd is not anywhere close and haiku and react os and the other really niche operating systems like that are decades behind and that makes me sad because i could envision a day where linux becomes unusable for whatever reason maybe they change the license right one day linux becomes proprietary and that's
• 13:30 - 14:00 never going to happen but you know whatever nightmare scenario into the world scenario maybe because the code base so many millions of lines long you know there's gaping security holes in it one day that just makes it very very dangerous to use links and i have to find something else and right now if that happened today if that happened today the best free operating system that isn't a good news linux distribution is freebsd by far that's that's the best that's the closest thing we have to
• 14:00 - 14:30 linux freebsd and it's so far behind right and that makes me sad because you know i fear that day happening and right now if it happened i'd have to sacrifice so much you know i'd i would lose so much now to be fair if that day ever happened freebsd would probably overnight have thousands and tens of thousands of new developers because a lot of the people that worked on linux would just move over to freebsd and it would quickly gain a lot of the hardware support a lot
• 14:30 - 15:00 of software availability you know a lot of software ports would be written so it would get there pretty quickly but it would be painful for a while but ultimately this rather lengthy rant video to answer this very simple question i mean this this the answer to this question why i don't use bsd is simply you know for what i do gnu slash linux is better and that really is the answer but a lot of people ask this question over and over it's one that comes up and a lot of people i
• 15:00 - 15:30 think imagine the answer or all of these other things i talked about today you know things that have nothing to do with it bsd is free and open source software morally i'm fine with it i have absolutely no issues becoming a bsd user at some point in the future it doesn't bother me but right now good news linux it's kind of where i have to be and right now i'm just i'm comfortable with it and i don't again i'm not one of these people that has to validate my existence through the
• 15:30 - 16:00 software i use you know i don't need to feel morally superior i don't i don't need to use freebsd or openbsd or whatever to make the linux peasants feel bad right to lord over them and say i'm a bsd user look at you you're still running arch you noob anyway ran over guys peace you