NetBSD is a Professionals Tool

[charles%embsyspro.com@localhost]

Hi, I been reading the ongoing conversations regarding NetBSD and its
place among the various OS's and I'd like to reiterate this point of view.

What NETBSD is not,

1. NetBSD is not a client OS but can be configured for that purpose.  And
it excels in vertical market applications.
2. NetBSD is not an embedded OS but it excels at that task.
3. NetBSD is not a server OS but it excels at that task.
4. NetBSD is not an RTOS but it acquits itself very well when compared to
other OS's not specifically designed to be an RTOS.
5. NetBSD is not a hobbyists OS but it is very easy to use and setup.


What NETBSD is,

1. NetBSD is a professional's tool without all of the hype and the crap.


As a technology contractor I spend my time working on other people's
problems. Lately I've been doing a lot of eLinux work on custom hardware.
In the cases where I am required to validate a brand new board (i.e. 1st
bring-up) I can usually get NetBSD up and running in 3 days or less. My
clients are more often than not amazed and when they ask me how I did it,
I just say 'Oh, that's NetBSD running on your board', then they happily go
away thinking that they can get their eLinux (or whatever) to work on
their new hardware just as easily.

Then comes that call that we all get about two weeks later, why isn't my
eLinux (or whatever) running as well as NetBSD did on my brand new
hardware? And I say to them 'Well, that's not NetBSD running on your
board'.

Perhaps there is a way to accentuate a professionals point of view and
market NetBSD as such. I mean isn't that what is really happening anyway?


CLN

P.S.
I'm willing to spend a Saturday, 8 to 12 hours a week to help.