Having migrated all my data to an external drive, I’m hoping to squeeze my laptop’s windows partition down and install another OS this weekend. I plan on primarily using this new OS, but want to keep XP for gaming. I’m torn between Ubuntu and FreeBSD.

I’ve been into FreeBSD for a few months now, and I like it. I hesitate only because of the lack of native Flash support… while some people still grump about those new-fangled websites, and while I think it’s often inappropriately used, I watch a good number of videos (like the TED talks.) I know it’s possible to get some level of support, but it’s something I’ve failed to get working so far, and I don’t want to reboot just to watch a video.

Linux has better Flash support because Adobe decided to supply it to them. Not only do they not lend this support to BSD distros, Adobe expressly forbids BSDs from including it. It’s a commercial strategy based on their alliance with M$, as far as i can figure. There are Flash re-implementation projects, like Gnash, and there are ways of using the Linux binary code… but it’s a hassle, and Firefox seems to love to crash when I make the attempt (Opera just ignores it, but then, that’s to be expected.)

So if I install Ubuntu, it’s basically for the Flash. I guess at least I’ll be better able to help support others who want to migrate to Ubuntu. Some consolation…

I’m also on a simplification kick, so while I would typically just install both, I’m fighting that urge. For now. ;)