When I decided to move to a free Unix clone, I wanted to try all before
committing to one.  I wanted to download (DL) from the net.  I did not
want to buy a commercial package because I didn't want to waste the
money if it didn't work out for me.  This is what I found when looking
about 3 years ago:

Linux - Most distributions are assembled by organizations with
commercial interests.  Their sites make it difficult to DL and install a
minimal system.  At best, they're geared toward DLing a 650 Mb CD image.
 This forces you to have a wide pipe and DL much software (SW) you
probably don't want.  Most encourage you purchase their commercial
package.  Although they usually have easy installers, I found
troubleshooting to be extremely difficult.  Searching for a solution to
a specific problem is like finding a needle in a haystack. 

FreeBSD - Similar to most Linux distributions.

OpenBSD - Although this has improved since I first looked, I found no
information on how to DL and install a minimal system.  The CD image is
copyrighted and you were encouraged to purchase a preburned CD to
support development efforts.

NetBSD - The web site contained clear and concise information on how to
DL and install a minimal system.  The installer recognized all my
hardware and worked with it.  The package system allowed me to DL and
install only the SW I wanted (or needed to run what I wanted).

> NetBSD has been the easiest for me to learn.  FreeBSD couldn't get X 
> going for me, and OpenBSD is quite minimal with its one CD (there is 
> probably more tho, but NetBSD has 7 CDs for the i386!)
> 
> OpenBSD's primary goal is security.  It's widely regarded as the most 
> secure OS in existance.  NetBSD and FreeBSD (or any UNIX) are of 
> course concerned with security, but NetBSD has the goals of 
> portability and good, clean code for easy maintenance and bug 
> swatting.  I don't know much about FreeBSD - it seems to like adding 
> new features, check out the FreeBSD 5.0 new technology release.
> 
> Essentially the difference between the BSDs is that they all derive 
> from 4.4BSD but have different goals (or priorities within these 
> goals) and that's what differentiates the projects.
> 
> I am no expert on BSD however, so go to the respective websites and 
> read, read, read - you come across some good stuff.  Read the FAQs 
> and what the projects are about.  Good info can be seen there.
> 
> Personally, if you are new to BSD, like me, I recommend NetBSD.  I had 
> many failures trying with FreeBSD and OpenBSD.  The NetBSD installer 
> is easier in my opinion.  And I got X working, too.  I run RedHat 
> Linux 8.0 and it was so easy for me to configure GRUB to boot NetBSD 
> for me, too.  I use both regularly, but can't use my dialup Internet 
> connection nor my broadband connection with NetBSD just yet (not that 
> I have tried that heard, still learning the basics of its shell and 
> so  on, upgrading and installing new packages...)
> 
> Cheers
> James
> 
> On Friday 14 February 2003 23:55, fernando@rxp.com wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > just a quick question. What's the difference between OpenBSD,
> > FeeBSD, NetBSD, and any other *BSD that may be out there? And wich
> > one should I be learning?
> >
> > TIA,
> > Fernando
> 
>