It's not Rust, it's FreeBSD (and LLVM)

Poul-Henning Kamp discusses the evolution of FreeBSD, emphasizing its origins as a response to the shortcomings of the UNIX industry in the 1990s. He highlights FreeBSD's commitment to providing a complete UNIX system with full source code, contrasting it with the practices of the time, such as charging extra for the C-compiler. Kamp notes that while FreeBSD has maintained a strong focus on its source code, the landscape has changed, necessitating a reevaluation of what defines FreeBSD today. He argues that the project should shift its identity from being solely about source code to recognizing the importance of ports, which include various applications and tools, including those written in Rust. Kamp suggests that LLVM, which currently occupies a significant portion of FreeBSD's compile time, should be separated from the source tree, as it does not align with the core identity of FreeBSD. He proposes a new distribution format that includes essential components while allowing for a more modern approach to package management and system installation. This change aims to streamline the build process and adapt to contemporary needs while acknowledging the historical context of FreeBSD's development.

- FreeBSD was created in response to the UNIX industry's shortcomings in the 1990s.

- The project has historically focused on providing a complete UNIX system with full source code.

- There is a need to redefine FreeBSD's identity to include its ports and modern package management.

- LLVM's integration into FreeBSD's source tree is seen as outdated and should be reconsidered.

- A new distribution format is proposed to enhance system installation and upgrade processes.