I've been using Linux since the days of hand crafting Modeline entries for an unstable XFree86 running as root, and installed FreeBSD a number of times over the

I've been using Linux since the days of hand crafting Modeline entries for an unstable XFree86 running as root, and installed FreeBSD a number of times over the years but never really enjoyed the userspace as much as GNU. I simply preferred the ergonomics of GNU, it's what was more familiar since I was introduced to UNIX via GNU/Linux in my teens. Having said that however, I absolutely loved the FreeBSD books by Marshall Kirk McKusick. The red hardcover Design and Implementation of FreeBSD book was my go-to bathroom reading for well over a year. I also was lucky enough to attend viewings of VHS recordings from his operating systems class featuring FreeBSD. Those tapes were something like $1k/tape if memory serves, a friend's employer bought the entire set and would host group viewings on weekends. Such great memories from those times, McKusick was humorous and never missed an opportunity to take jabs at emacs while explaining how paging and swap worked, poor little vi being paged out because someone started emacs, etc. There's a lot to love about FreeBSD, I hope it continues to exist and can attract enough new talent to thrive in the future.