NetBSD is a versatile operating system that runs on various platforms, including 64-bit x86 servers, PC desktop systems, and embedded ARM- and MIPS-based devices. It has a neat design, and advanced features make it suitable for both production and research environments. The system is user-supported and comes with complete sources. You can easily access many applications through pkgsrc, the NetBSD Packages Collection.

NetBSD's history dates back to 1993, when the first version of the operating system (0.8) was released. It is derived from the 4.3BSD Lite operating system and the 386BSD system, the first BSD port to the Intel 386 CPU. Over the years, the NetBSD system has integrated modifications from the 4.4BSD Lite release. The BSD branch of Unix has significantly influenced Unix-like operating systems, as it has contributed many tools, ideas, and improvements that are now standard. For instance, the vi editor, the C shell, job control, the Berkeley Fast File System, reliable signals, support for virtual memory, and TCP/IP.

The NetBSD Project provides a free and redistributable system that professionals, hobbyists, and researchers can use however they wish. It is an excellent option for those who want to learn Unix, mainly because it adheres to standards and can run on old and new hardware. You don't have to spend money on expensive hardware to learn and use Unix; you can use that old PC or Mac in your attic. NetBSD runs consistently on various platforms, so it is ideal if you need a Unix system that works seamlessly on different machines.

NetBSD Features:

Code quality and correctness

Portability to a wide range of hardware

Secure defaults

Adherence to industry standards

Research and innovation

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