When comparing NetBSD vs SparkyLinux, the Slant community recommends SparkyLinux for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux distributions for misanthropes?” SparkyLinux is ranked 90th while NetBSD is ranked 102nd. The most important reason people chose SparkyLinux is:
You have access to a large user repository, Ubuntu guides can mostly be applied since both are based on Debian.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Adhere to the standard
It adheres to traditional Unix and new defined standards.
Pro It's Open Source
It's open source with a BSD License, which is much more business friendly than GPL. It's the real ancestor of Mac, that is being used nowadays.
Pro It's real
Under NetBSD csh is csh not tcsh; also vi is real vi not elvis, nvi or vim. It's ideal for purists.
Pro Architecture portability
It's the most portable OS in the world when considering what architectures it can run on. It runs on very wide range of hardware, from toaster to satellites. This of course does not mean it supports drivers for many consumer facing products making it a difficult solution to just boot up and use when compared to other OSs.
Pro Clean source code
It prioritizes source code cleanliness over anything.
Pro Based on Debian
You have access to a large user repository, Ubuntu guides can mostly be applied since both are based on Debian.
Pro Rolling or Stable Choice
You have the option for Sparky to be based on Stable or Non-Stable, bringing greater flexibility to user priorities.
Pro Lightweight core
Sparky is designed to be lightweight in it's core. It is based on Debian but optimised for old hardware, meaning you can run a full heavy desktop environment on a lightweight foundation, bringing greater performance compared to similar Debian or Ubuntu-based distros.
Pro All vanilla desktop environments available
Any Linux desktop in it's vanilla form can be installed on top of Sparky, whether that be alongside a pre-existing environment, or on top of a basic command line system. Furthermore, the command line system is easy to operate due to Sparky's advanced installer utility, from which you can choose whichever desktop environment you desire, straight from the Debian repositories. Guidance is on their website.
Pro Rolling Release
Cons
Con Lack of drivers
It lacks drivers for some new devices.
