Stefano Marinelli, a passionate advocate for BSD operating systems, shares his journey and insights in a detailed presentation at EuroBSDCon 2024. His talk, titled "Why (and how) we’re migrating many of our servers from Linux to the BSDs," reflects his extensive experience in the IT field, particularly in the context of Open Source solutions. Marinelli introduces himself as the founder of the BSD Cafe, a community for BSD enthusiasts, and the owner of Prodottoinrete, a company dedicated to providing innovative IT solutions. His journey began in 1996 with Linux, which he initially used alongside Windows. However, as he delved deeper into Linux during his university years, he became increasingly interested in alternative operating systems, particularly the BSDs. His exploration of FreeBSD began in 2002, and he quickly adopted it as his primary operating system due to its superior performance compared to Linux on his hardware. Throughout his career, Marinelli has focused on solving problems rather than merely selling products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' specific needs and providing tailored solutions. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that Open Source systems, particularly BSDs, offer significant advantages in terms of stability, reliability, and performance. He recounts experiences where clients were initially skeptical of BSDs but ultimately appreciated the benefits, such as reduced maintenance and increased uptime. Marinelli discusses the challenges he faced in promoting BSDs over Linux, particularly in a market that often favors the latter due to its popularity and commercial appeal. He highlights the ideological barriers that exist, as many decision-makers are influenced by trends rather than practical considerations. Despite these challenges, he has successfully migrated a significant portion of his infrastructure to BSD systems, achieving positive results in performance and reliability. He details the technical aspects of his migration strategy, including the use of FreeBSD for hypervisors and the implementation of jails for various workloads. This approach not only streamlined operations but also led to substantial cost savings for clients. Marinelli notes that the transition to BSDs has been met with enthusiasm from many developers, who appreciate the stability and efficiency of the systems. Marinelli's commitment to solving problems is evident throughout his narrative. He emphasizes that the ultimate goal of technology should be to provide effective solutions rather than to chase the latest trends. His experiences illustrate the importance of choosing the right tools for the job, advocating for BSDs as a reliable alternative to Linux in many scenarios. In conclusion, Marinelli's presentation serves as a testament to the value of BSD systems in the modern IT landscape. His journey reflects a deep understanding of technology and a dedication to providing clients with the best possible solutions, reinforcing his mantra: "I solve problems."