Re: NetBSD in production

[Riccardo Mottola <riccardo.mottola%libero.it@localhost>]

Hi,
> Hi folks,
>
> I´d like to know who of you is running NetBSD in production. For example
>
> -what kind of application/service
Mostly development of desktop applications (GNUstep) and desktop usage. 
Occasionaly file serving trhough FTP and as SSH machine.
> -what platform (type, configuration)
-> x86-32 : laptop for daily usage running NetBSD 5.99 (just because 
release had a broken X11))
-> sparc32 with SMP, NetBSD 2.x, mostly headless usage from the laptop
-> x86-32 (VIA Vortex) mini-pc with passive cooling running NetBSD 4, 
either as a quiet workstation or mostly headless from the laptop
-> powerpc 32bit (macppc)

technically I also have a Mac 68k machine which is my first NetBSD box, 
but I have scsi problems and I need to try to reinstall it, but install 
is such a pain due to scsi errors from the installer. I keep it out of 
nostalgia.

> -what branch
Stable, if I don't encounter a critical problem like broken X I found on 
my laptop.
> -what pros do you see
A true "Unix", minimal, compact, trusted which serves me since 1996. The 
core system didn't "bloat" in the past years as other operating systems. 
It is a true BSD unix: it doesn't get in your way and just works.
Resource friendly (I find that important even if laptops are now more 
powerful than my aging workstations).
Easy to set up: ssh, telnet, rlogin, ftp, sftp... everything works out 
of the box, just comment out the lines and enable them!
A uniform system: be it x86, sparc, ppc or 68: I login, use tcsh and you 
feel at home.

> -what is missing / could be improved
hardware drivers: sometimes they are missing sometimes their support is 
shakey.
For example, the ethernet card of my mini-pc is shakey and reports 
watchdog problems under heavy load. Not all video cards work or are 
supported as on linux (getting X11 on my PPC is a pain). I need to run a 
patched kernel or the SCSI hangs...

Sometimes there are quirks which I experience only on NetBSD (GNUMail 
doesn't work due to DNS problems, while it works on any other BSD and 
Linux platform I tried it on).

Then there are applications problems: linux binary compatibility and 
other stuff needed for a typical desktop usage which I find a necessary 
evil because the "world" outisde needs them:
-> skype
-> flash
-> wine for some windows apps which you can't even find as linux binary.


A long-time netbsd user...

Riccardo