I would have to throw a finger in this, even though it is an old thread.
Bashing Windows, Linux, Solaris, OS X is just silly and a waste of time. It is a good thing that we have these choices, and each option does a specific job, each has its strong points and its faults.
First of all - FreeBSD is not the best OS, just ask someone running Solaris or another running Linux. What would you say to the other people running OpenBSD or NetBSD? And I highly doubt that you will find a user of a Mac that works in the music or photography realm that would agree with the statement that FreeBSD is the best OS. FreeBSD is the best OS to those who choose to use it, and use it correctly (some day I hope I do.)
May it be the best server platform available? - I would would have to hang my hat on that.
But is it the best OS to run Photoshop? No.
Is it the best OS for grandma wanting to check email? No.
Is it the best solution for someone who works in a 100% MS office/job site? No.
Everything has its job. Nothing is perfect. Other wise we would all be using the same system, and more than likely paying through the nose for it.
In my humble opinion, the reason why Linux has popularity over *BSD is due to the marketing that was accomplished. Why did Microsoft take off - follow the money! While Linux was busy on grabbing a foothold BSD was fighting for its survival in the Unix wars. Linux also is easy to install, easy to configure. FreeBSD is that as well, but only to the geeks who know and understand it.
Think on this for a second -
What would become of FreeBSD if the likes Adobe, Nvida, Sun, HP, Intel, etc put their money and resources behind FreeBSD, completely, like they do for Microsoft and Mac? What would it be like if evry device we buy came with drivers for FreeBSD? What would happen if Dell and the like started shipping boxes with FreeBSD pre-loaded? What would happen if companies started porting applications like Quickbooks and Photoshop to BSD?
We would more than likey wind up with another Windows to *beep**beep**beep**beep**beep* about. Be happy with FreeBSD and what it is.