BSD

[mikeymike]

I've found FreeBSD (4x) the easiest UNIX derivative to install, the kernel is easy to reconfigure and apps are easy to install.

The sh*t hits the fan when things don't work as intended, but that's the same with every UNIX derivative.  You've got to be an expert if (and it's not uncommon) stuff goes wrong.

The partition managers in every UNIX derivative's installer I've found to be the worst of any operating system.  They allow stupid things like totally invalid partition tables to be set.  My experience of UNIX derivatives consists of quite a few Linux distros of varying versions, and FreeBSD.

[mikeymike]

Hmm, never tried BSD, I heard it was very similar to Linux or used the Linux kernal, is this correct?

No and no :-)

It can do Linux app emulation.

[mikeymike]

@ iamaboringperson

BSD is good, but it is probably more for hardcore computer users than is Linux.

It would be useful if you justified what you're saying with something useful the original poster might be able to relate to.

[mikeymike]

How's configuring the net on it? and do u think it will run on a p2 266 laptop with 160 megs of ram?

I've only had net access from a FreeBSD install through a network card, which was easy to set up (auto detect and then obvious TCP/IP configuration that didn't involve text file editing :-)), so I don't know about dialup.

As for the 160MB RAM bit, it depends what you're going to do with it.  You could probably run FreeBSD with 4MB RAM.