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posted by martyb on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:58AM   Printer-friendly
from the competitors-become-kin dept.

Phoronix reports

The inaugural release of ubuntuBSD is now available, which the developers have codenamed "Escape From SystemD". [It] pairs the Ubuntu userspace with the FreeBSD kernel.

... This first ubuntuBSD beta release is based off Ubuntu 15.10 Wily Werewolf and the FreeBSD 10.1 kernel.

This Ubuntu+FreeBSD operating system ships with the Xfce desktop, is designed for both servers and desktops, and offers complete ZFS file-system support.

The project's SourceForge page
N.B. The ubuntuBSD Web Site link is currently a circular trip back to SourceForge.


[Additional coverage at softpedia. For the impatient/adventuresome here is a direct link to download the latest ISO (893.8 MB ubuntuBSD 15.10~BETA2-amd64.iso). -Ed.]

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  • (Score: 2) by julian on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:23AM

    by julian (6003) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:23AM (#321390)

    This isn't the first time this has been tried. Ubuntu's parent distro Debian used to offer Debian GNU/kFreeBSD (Debian GNU with kernel of FreeBSD). I believe it was abandoned with Debian 8 due to lack of interest (or was it because of the move to systemd?). Seems like they should target an LTS release of Ubuntu, however. The kind of people who want to get away from systemd probably don't want to update every 6 months.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:47AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:47AM (#321401)
      I think those willing to have a FreeBSD kernel tend to be those that go for the FreeBSD userspace too, so this would be really niche.

      The FreeBSD userspace is actually decent. Years ago when I was using FreeBSD the man pages were better than the GNU ones. In fact back then the reason why I used Linux was more because of the Linux kernel[1] and definitely not for the GNU userspace. The GNU userspace was inferior in many aspects. Perhaps things have changed in recent years.

      [1] There are a number of things the Linux kernel was and is better at than the FreeBSD kernel.
      • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Arik on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:59AM

        by Arik (4543) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:59AM (#321417) Journal
        The man pages have always been and will always be better for FreeBSD. That's because they actually regard them as official documentation to be maintained.

        GNU projects do not. Official documention for GNU userspace will be found using info, not man. Man is deprecated and included for historical reasons, but not typically maintained at all. Use info instead.
        --
        If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
        • (Score: 3, Insightful) by bitstream on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:35AM

          by bitstream (6144) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:35AM (#321433) Journal

          Seems like the management style of bad neighborhoods.

        • (Score: 2) by jdavidb on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:09PM

          by jdavidb (5690) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:09PM (#321610) Homepage Journal
          I always find documentation by Googling.
          --
          ⓋⒶ☮✝🕊 Secession is the right of all sentient beings
          • (Score: 2) by bitstream on Wednesday March 23 2016, @05:45AM

            by bitstream (6144) on Wednesday March 23 2016, @05:45AM (#321967) Journal

            Perfect when all you have a text console because the network is really down.

    • (Score: 2) by Marand on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:06AM

      by Marand (1081) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:06AM (#321407) Journal

      "used to offer"? Bullshit, it's still available as of the current stable release (jessie): https://wiki.debian.org/Debian_GNU/kFreeBSD/Jessie [debian.org]

      It's still there and usable, it just wasn't considered an "official" part of the Jessie release because the port had issues at the time they froze* Jessie, that's all.

      * the period at the end of a testing release where they stop pulling packages in from unstable and go into bugfix mode prior to making it the next stable release.

      • (Score: 2) by Marand on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:17AM

        by Marand (1081) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:17AM (#321410) Journal

        I hate self-replying but this same topic just hit my RSS feed for the Register (link [theregister.co.uk]), and it quotes one of the UbuntuBSD devs, who said the project owes a lot to the same Debian BSD project I linked to above and thanked them for collaborating to make it possible.

        Might have been nice if Phoronix had mentioned that instead of just declaring Debian BSD defunct, but whatever, it's Phoronix; the site's about as reliable as Kotaku most days.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @11:26AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @11:26AM (#321535)

      Actually, there has been much ongoing work on Debian/kFreeBSD 8.0
      I have Debian/kFreeBSD 8.0 on a real box (Asus Eeebox) and on a VirtualBox virtual machine, both running fine.
      Debian/kFreeBSD is approaching to a stable, but unofficial, release in the next weeks.
      A screenshot could be useful... http://imgur.com/uyPs0ii [imgur.com]
      Bye
      gl

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 06 2016, @08:23PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 06 2016, @08:23PM (#328229)

      A combination.

      Their excuse was lack of interest, but they dropped it like a hot potato with the transition to systemd.

      Can't have something still depend on sysv after all when you try to kill it.

  • (Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:35AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:35AM (#321396)

    BSD releases have their own wierdnesses, zfs being just one of them. Cross-breeding this with Ubuntu raises a question: does the invasive "search" and ad-heavy app-"store" survive from standard Ubuntu? Those two "features" and the Unity desktop have ensured my avoiding Ubuntu since just after 8.04. Will anything change on Planet Canonical in especially the privacy areas before Yelping Yellowjacket or Zapped Zebra?

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:49AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:49AM (#321402)

    "ZFS support was added to Ubuntu Wily 15.10 as a technology preview and comes fully supported in Ubuntu Xenial 16.04."

    https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Reference/ZFS [ubuntu.com]

    A Datamation article questions whether they have permission to do that.

    http://www.datamation.com/open-source/does-ubuntu-shipping-with-zfs-threaten-linux.html [datamation.com]

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @08:57AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @08:57AM (#321479)

      Well, they certainly do have permission to do it with a BSD kernel.

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by jimtheowl on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:58AM

    by jimtheowl (5929) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:58AM (#321404)

    I know I don't represent a common use case, but both the Windows and Linux ecosystems have prevailed over BSD on the assumption that because it is more popular, it is safer to 'follow' in case one needs support.
    I have never refused to offer Linux users support, but except for two very special persons in my life, to the disbelief of my family members and friends, I have refused to help anyone running Windows since 1998.
    They don't get it. They keep choosing the more popular OS for that very reason, and the most knowledgeable person they know is not helping them.
    For what its worth, I would make a special effort helping anyone with this choice.

    • (Score: 2) by frojack on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:14AM

      by frojack (1554) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:14AM (#321409) Journal

      Oh, I help window user. I help them install some flavor of linux.

      I used to know this old geezer who would bring me his machine once every three months, to get rid of all the spyware and malware installed by every random link he couldn't keep himself from clicking. He managed to install shit inspite of every antivirus he could find. (He also complained about how slow his machine was, usually after he installed three antivirus programs.

      I finally told him I'd help him install linux, but I was done with windows. I did that, and fixed his machine a couple times via ssh, and he was happy as a clam. All he ever used was Email and a we browser.

      --
      No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Jeremiah Cornelius on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:39AM

        by Jeremiah Cornelius (2785) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:39AM (#321412) Journal

        Minor spelling correction from an unrepentant pedant here:

        That's a "wee browser". It has two "e"s.

        --
        You're betting on the pantomime horse...
        • (Score: 3, Funny) by frojack on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:11AM

          by frojack (1554) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:11AM (#321424) Journal

          No, the old geezer had a golden shower fetish.

          --
          No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
        • (Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Tuesday March 22 2016, @11:58AM

          by Gaaark (41) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @11:58AM (#321549) Journal

          Minor spelling correction from an unrepentant pedant here:
          That's a "wee browser". It has two "e"s.
          --
          You're betting on the pantomime horse...

          I'm betting on the Wee Scottish pantomime horse...

          --
          --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
      • (Score: 3, Funny) by jimtheowl on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:59AM

        by jimtheowl (5929) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:59AM (#321416)

        Same. I use FreeBSD myself, but believing that Linux was a better Windows replacement a few years back, I left a Linux CD with my in laws.

        My brother-in-law called me one day, so proud of himself saying:

        "I reinstall Windows myself and everything works!"

        I asked a few questions to confirm, but he managed to install Linux without knowing it was Linux.

        I never had to hear of that system ever after.

        • (Score: 2) by bitstream on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:38AM

          by bitstream (6144) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:38AM (#321435) Journal

          Are there any premade stickers like "Linows 10" complete with proper splash images ..? ;-)
          Just to fool people to install it by mistake :p

          Oh.. regarding topic: "Bsdeeows 10" :p

          • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Pino P on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:28PM

            by Pino P (4721) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:28PM (#321674) Journal

            The Xandros derivative Linspire [wikipedia.org] used to be called "LindowsOS" until Microsoft bought the "Lindows" trademark from the company for $20 million. If Microsoft doesn't plan to make use of the mark, perhaps someone can pull a Hydrox [npr.org] and reclaim the "Lindows" mark.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 23 2016, @12:07AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 23 2016, @12:07AM (#321892)

              I'd buy a packet of Lindows biscuits.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:49AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:49AM (#321440)

          We previously discussed a similar event with similar results.
          Woman Installs Linux by Accident; Thinks It's Just MSFT's Latest Stuff [soylentnews.org]

          -- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]

    • (Score: 2) by Bot on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:02AM

      by Bot (3902) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:02AM (#321420) Journal

      you got it, market share is irrelevant, implying using potential abandonware is better than putting yourself in the hands of managers and committees. Look at the facts.
      I use stuff made by 1, one, main dev; meanwhile others use MS or apple tools; guess which tools have been discontinued, changed for no reason?

      --
      Account abandoned.
      • (Score: 2) by bitstream on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:41AM

        by bitstream (6144) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:41AM (#321438) Journal

        There's a lack of threat of forking that permit managers to be whimsical on what products that get a blessing.

    • (Score: 1) by Francis on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:46AM

      by Francis (5544) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:46AM (#321455)

      Not really, BSD has less marketshare because that's less of a priority than producing quality software.

      We'll promote it, but we're not really interested in ruling the world. Having seen how bad some Linux distros have gotten pursuing marketshare, it's probably a good thing overall.

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:01AM

    by frojack (1554) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:01AM (#321406) Journal

    Just install FreeBSD
    It has XFCE, KDE, Gnome, and probably a few more in ports.

    I see no reason to chase something that is neither fish nor fowl.

    --
    No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Arik on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:56AM

      by Arik (4543) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:56AM (#321415) Journal
      Yeah this is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard of.

      If I want BSD I will get it from a source I trust.

      Why on Earth would I want to get BSD from a company that already loused up their own Linux distro with systemd, and then turns around and tells me to use their BSD to get rid of it?

      If they really wish to escape from systemd they should simply remove it. It's far from required, and the only reason it might one day become required is because of distros like Ubuntu fouling their codebase with it so eagerly. For the same lice to come out and claim to offer a way to escape the plague that THEY forced on their users to begin with like this is... chutzpah seems too weak.

      --
      If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
      • (Score: 5, Informative) by frojack on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:15AM

        by frojack (1554) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:15AM (#321425) Journal

        As I understand it, Neither FreeBSD nor Ubuntu (Canonical) is involved.

        --
        No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
        • (Score: 2) by Pino P on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:31PM

          by Pino P (4721) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @03:31PM (#321678) Journal

          If Canonical is not involved, watch the next article about this distribution be titled to the effect "ubuntuBSD Forced to Change Name".

          • (Score: 2) by frojack on Wednesday March 23 2016, @06:20AM

            by frojack (1554) on Wednesday March 23 2016, @06:20AM (#321968) Journal

            That wouldn't surprise me at all.
            They've let some others slide, but I could see them moving against this.

            --
            No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
      • (Score: 2) by Bot on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:20AM

        by Bot (3902) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @05:20AM (#321428) Journal

        systemd-udevd or some eudev,vdev replacement is needed for X applications. Reverting to a sane init already helps, though.
        I once even removed parallel init, insserv iirc, I need to see if the card gets up, if not i gotta replug it in and looking at the dhcp handshake lets me do it in the FASTEST way.
        Different people, different needs.

        --
        Account abandoned.
        • (Score: 3, Informative) by Arik on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:56PM

          by Arik (4543) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:56PM (#321649) Journal
          You don't have to replace anything if you simply choose one of the many Linux distros that don't use systemd to begin with.

          I recommend Slackware because that's what's given me the best results but there are plenty of choices; http://without-systemd.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page#Free.2FOpen_Source_Operating_systems_without_systemd_in_the_default_installation
          --
          If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
      • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Francis on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:48AM

        by Francis (5544) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:48AM (#321457)

        Perhaps they really love gnu, but hate Linux.

        • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:30AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:30AM (#321491)

          That person is already running GNU Herd.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:38AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:38AM (#321493)

            *Hurd

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:59PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @02:59PM (#321652)

              *Turd

            • (Score: 2) by Joe Desertrat on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:09PM

              by Joe Desertrat (2454) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @04:09PM (#321694)

              Yeah, you can't really call one person a herd.

        • (Score: 2) by VLM on Tuesday March 22 2016, @12:05PM

          by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday March 22 2016, @12:05PM (#321551)

          Lots of GNU stuff runs great on freebsd. Just for big apps I roughly daily use emacs, R, ...

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:51PM

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 22 2016, @09:51PM (#321847)

            Yes it's a simple matter of installing the GNU utilities from ports then aliasing ls to gls and tar to gtar etc. Should be less than an hour's work.

          • (Score: 1) by Francis on Wednesday March 23 2016, @12:36AM

            by Francis (5544) on Wednesday March 23 2016, @12:36AM (#321900)

            It doesn't make much sense to me as it looks like the worst of both world. You get the inconsistent userland of Linux without the complete compatibility with Linux programs and drivers.

            I assume that some people have a reason for doing it, but it doesn't make much sense to me to use a BSD kernel with a non-standard userland.

            • (Score: 1) by Arik on Wednesday March 23 2016, @02:43PM

              by Arik (4543) on Wednesday March 23 2016, @02:43PM (#322099) Journal
              Well if I wanted to run the GNU utilities on BSD I would install BSD first and then compile GNU and install it. And you can do that, it's been awhile but as I recall it's not that big a deal. Should be a lot faster with a modern processor underneath the compiler too.

              I don't think I'd do that today though. I'd just install BSD and start working with it, and expect to add a bit of GNU here and there when I run into a *reason* that I need it.

              The main reason I quit running BSD years ago was because of advances in the linux kernel, not because of userland which is after all easily modified. The main reason I'd consider returning would be if the linux kernel does become systemd dependent. But as much as systemd folks like to think it already is - it is not. There are lots of linux distros that function perfectly without it.

              --
              If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
    • (Score: 2) by bart9h on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:38PM

      by bart9h (767) on Tuesday March 22 2016, @07:38PM (#321784)

      And if the point is to escape systemd, there are other options as well.

      I myself migrated to Devuan as soon as Mint succumbed to systemd. Everything works, and I even play Steam games (XCOM).