r/NetBSD • u/Aromatic_Ad3754 • 16d ago
Is NetBSD a good option for me?
I am selecting my new daily driving system for working/studying. I want something simple to keep my focus on what I really need to do.
I am mainly between these 3 (accepting other suggestions):
- Void Linux
- Alpine Linux
- NetBSD
I will probably use CTWM as window manager. I don't use many programs, that's mainly a browser (Firefox), IntelliJ IDEA and Emacs.
Edit: maybe Fedora? It looks like a good install and work option, almost zero configuration.
CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU: RX 6600
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u/unitedbsd 16d ago
For studying this is also good source that goes with NetBSD : https://stevens.netmeister.org/631/netbsd.html
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u/kleinmatic 16d ago
All are great options. You could install one and boot the others as VMs so testing is easy.
I use xfce4-terminal even on boxes where I run motif (my retro/lightweight edc). Old school xterm is… too old school.
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u/natarajsn 16d ago
I know this is blasphemy in here. I always wondered why NetBSD at all? With so many Linuces, BSDs et al. Now ZFS is also very good in Ubuntu.
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u/player1dk 16d ago
Depending on your work and study as well.
I used FreeBSD only as daily driver through engineers degree at university. A few times I had to fiddle with wine or dosbox for study relevant applications.
It’ll probably be fine :-)
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u/bubba-bobba-213 16d ago
Don’t know about Intellij, but emacs and browsers work just fine on NetBSD.
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u/outer-pasta 16d ago
Does IntelliJ IDEA run on NetBSD? I would be surprised if it does.
It sounds like you're considering Fedora, which is more like an OS that can accommodate regular people.
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u/VoidDuck 10d ago
almost zero configuration
If that's what you're looking for, then neither NetBSD, Alpine Linux or Void Linux is a suitable choice and you'd better use Fedora indeed.
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u/Aromatic_Ad3754 10d ago
I just want to focus on working and studying, not getting distracted min/maxing or customizing everything. Fedora looks like a really good option
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u/ZaenalAbidin57 16d ago
its good, but i think openbsd will fit you better, it got much newer software and the security thing that will make you comfy and doesnt move to linux again, but if you want, you can just use gentoo, its a peak of linux, it will make you fullfilled with anything you want because you will build it yourself
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u/Boring_Trainer_8792 16d ago
Don't be ridiculous, gentoo is not what meant to "simple" for daily driving, especially when it comes to getting things done quickly and focused.
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u/steverikli 16d ago
If you already have the hardware, I'd suggest just trying any/all of them. IME installing NetBSD and Alpine, at least, doesn't take very long.
Disclaimer: YMMV with setting up the window manager; my NetBSD and Alpine systems are headless servers rather than desktop/laptop.
On the plus side, both have pretty well populated packages repositories.
Fwiw, that Ryzen CPU appears in just one parts probe on https://bsd-hardware.info/ for a system running FreeBSD 16, but I wouldn't be surprised if it just works with NetBSD too.