PCBSD/DesktopBSD, anyone?

While I have only used the standard text version from the BSD website, I setup a 6.2 system a while back which I coupled with an xserver and fluxbox to see how it compares to linux.

Installing the framebuffer console equivilent was a pain, and unlike linux there is no default support for high resolutions and a kernel re-compilation is required. Keep this is mind if you want to work in run level 3 for a bit.
Getting 3D support working was more fiddly than the Linux equivilent though. Should be painless if this distro does what it's supposed to do :P. On the surface, BSD and Linux are hard to distinguish considering they are both free unix-like systems.

BSD is more of a niche than Linux, but PC-BSD looks nice I must say.
The fact the BSD kernel can run linux binaries through the Linux compatibility layer is a plus.
The ports system is a very handy way of compiling and installing apps too.

In the end though, I just went with a stripped down version of Debian etch on the desktop, because it's more widespread and new features and driver support is sometimes better than bsd which is very mature in comparison to Linux and does not have as much support for "toys" like my tv tuner card.:( I am using bsd on a small box now just for routing and a firewall(iptables) and the machine is dead solid.

ntlbell wrote: »

Why are you using iptables?
PF is where it's at.

I have to look into this, I have used smoothwall before but it was a pain to boot off a fecking card reader or IDE drive, so I just put freebsd 6.2 on a thumb drive and setup a simple firewall with the help of nmap for checking open ports. PFsense appears to have features I might use...
Back on topic though, I have to agree with ntbell. If I was running high availibility services I would probably have to go with FreeBSD based on the fact that they use a very organised CVS system, I mean aren't both systems quite stable and perform well equally?

Mind you, any Unix-like system is a better investment to learn in comparison to windows(not that I "hate" windows, just isn't as interesting to work with usually). I am still a bit of a noob myself, but things like shell use/scripting grow on you over time.
Something like Ubuntu/PC-BSD is a good first step to learn linux, and at least this offer an alternitive than to scare users away with the "intimidating" distros.

Finally, use bsd or whatever system you want. Most knowledge is applicable to any system considering people don't work with the kernel on any real intimate level, so the arguements don't mean too much.
Going a bit off topic, but nothing can touch Plan9 when it comes to putting people off learning new platforms...:D


*The image speaks for itself.

mick.fr wrote: »

Now for sure Linux is well more advanced than BSD when it comes to desktop applications and probably games as well.

Aparrently, running Linux apps on BSD doesen't incur any real performance loss.
When I was installing quakewars, it mentioned running the game through the compatibility layer in the installation steps for BSD.

Fluxbox ftw!

kaki wrote: »

Cough

¬ =" "?
At least their documentation is very good...