OpenBSD Foundation At Risk Of Shutting Down

[phoronix]

Phoronix: OpenBSD Foundation At Risk Of Shutting Down

The OpenBSD Foundation is running into a situation of lack of funding to the point that they can't even cover their electricity costs and may be forced to suspend or reduce their operations without additional help...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=MTU3MjE

[Cthulhux]

I impatiently await the first "lol OpenB$D is dead! use Lin$ux!" postings.

Interestingly, most Open Source foundations (except those backed by large companies) suffer from the same problems.

[Guest]

Where are their proprietary "friends" now?

[LEW21]

Finally

[Cthulhux]

Where are their proprietary "friends" now?

In opposite to FreeBSD, OpenBSD doesn't have a wide coverage in embedded devices or similar; it's mainly used for being cannibalized by Linux distributors.

[stevenc]

Might make a good acquisition for Canonical, then?

[Cthulhux]

Sure, Canonical could easily fund OpenBSD for some exclusive access to OpenSSH (and similar tools). I wonder why they haven't done so yet. Maybe because they prefer their stuff for free.

[profoundWHALE]

First off, Canonical was in an article about them operating at a loss recently, so for them to fund (even if it is a very small amount for them) is unlikely, and a lot of people here would say out of character as well.

Second, I'm sure the largest reason for them seeing a lack of interest (and funding) is because FreeBSD is arguably better and it's hard to see any significant difference otherwise. At least, I had trouble trying to figure out what it has to offer that FreeBSD doesn't.

[Cthulhux]

A different packaging/ports system and a different core system with a focus on security, mainly.

[profoundWHALE]

Crap, I should've just read online again, I found a nice summary that went:
FreeBSD: Maximum Performance
OpenBSD: Maximum Security
NetBSD: Maximum Portability

I guess what people need is what OpenBSD does in security that is superior to another OS like even linux.