--- title: "BSD Journey, Part 1" layout: post --- As Linux becomes controlled by corporate sponsors and becomes more full of proprietary blobs, drivers, and even closed-source software like Steam, One may wonder if there are other options out there. For me, somebody that is intensely interested in security, there is one option: OpenBSD. Now, my interest in OpenBSD has been going on for a long time. I started poking around for Linux alternatives way back a few years ago when Linus Torvalds decided to leave after he got in trouble for some [unprofessional behaviour](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/07/linus-torvalds-defends-his-right-to-shame-linux-kernel-developers/). That said, Linus did come back to Linux development, but I knew that his abrasive style is what brought good code to the Linux kernel. I also knew that his ability to be critical would be hurt by the new [code of conduct](https://itsfoss.com/linux-code-of-conduct/). It would become a tool for the SJW types to hammer on Linus for being a "white male, et al."; It would become a tool for the easily offended to use to get their dumb code into Linux; It would become a tool for the corporatization, the HR-ification of Linux. Frankly, this does not interest me. Now I'm sure that OpenBSD has its own internal policies that I disagree with. That said, Theo De Raadt is still at least known for calling Firefox an "amorphous peace of garbage" due to its lack of privilege separation. And, in their [project goals](https://openbsd.org/goals.html) page, they specifically mention: > Be as politics-free as possible; solutions should be decided on the basis of technical merit. Now that's something I can get behind! Bet you that's not in the Linux COC? He also went to university in my hometown, so that's pretty cool! I can support a local madman who thinks he can make a better operating system than all those corporations. Maybe he was right, maybe not. What I know is I am excited to find out! Wish my luck on my OpenBSD journey. I will post updates here along the way. Happy hacking!