I'm using Windows mostly and the only *nix thing I used during my life was cygwin (I like command line :)).
But currently I have (by an occasion) a DVD with latest FreeBSD. I don't know why, but I want to install it...
But probably, this OS is too difficult for a beginner. I heard, it's used on servers only and nees a lot of time to learn.
Anyway, what do you think - should I try?
You will probably want to enable dual boot on your machine and leave Windows on one and install FreeBSD on the other. It is a secure way to install FreeBSD and quite possibly the only way to answer your ulterior question.
[quote="figaro
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You will probably want to enable dual boot on your machine and leave Windows on one and install FreeBSD on the other. It is a secure way to install FreeBSD and quite possibly the only way to answer your ulterior question.
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Agreed.
I like FreeBSD - very stable. Not just for servers either. Has a tremendous amount of packages available - In my view a great package management system and one of the best (again in my view) documentation sets available inc. the forums.
It's 50 / 50! Development lags somewhat behind linux in some respects (not quite so bleeding edge) but is ahead of the game in others.
From what you've said in your OP, it's going to be a learning curve for you whatever you choose. FreeBSD is no more difficult to learn than any other form of *nix. you get out of it what you put in.
Until recently, most of my work was on FreeBSD, not Linux; my learning started in FreeBSD, after which I started learning Linux. If you're reasonably comfortable in Linux, I don't think you'll have any problem. Of course, you mentioned that Cygwin is the extent of your UNIXy learning... I don't know how well you've learned Cygwin-- that can be either a very basic intro or a pretty good start. I use it a lot, and I've really liked learning it. Anyway, as for FreeBSD, I suspect that one would find the jump from Linux to FreeBSD about as difficult as a jump from one Linux distro to a moderately dissimilar one-- say, from Fedora to Debian. In your case, if I've understood, either Linux or FreeBSD would serve well as an introduction to "real" UNIX. There are differences to learn, but the basics are similar enough. Dive in... FreeBSD a great OS, and is well worth learning about.