On the DVD
On the DVD
FreeBSD 12.2 and GhostBSD
So you think you know open source? Just the fact that you are reading this page means that what you probably know is Linux. This month, the DVD provides a glimpse into another corner of open source – the world of BSD. Like Linux, BSD varieties are free operating systems that are Unix descendants. However, they are released under the permissive BSD licenses rather than the copyleft licenses that dominate Linux. You will also find many other differences, despite the similar underlying structures.
FreeBSD 12.2 (64-bit)
First released in 1992, FreeBSD is the most popular version of BSD, especially for servers. Those coming from Linux will find many details different, such as the device naming system, as well as many commands and applications. More importantly, FreeBSD has never passed through a popularity phase like the one that drove Linux to develop mature desktop environments – although some mature BSD environments are available today. Instead, FreeBSD more resembles Linux in its hobbyist days. For instance, FreeBSD's install is a text-based series of questions with no hardware auto-detection. Furthermore, no desktop environment is installed, although users can add one later.
FreeBSD's assumption is that users have the knowledge or interest to work with FreeBSD until their systems are configured to their liking. Installation is unlikely to produce a working desktop system in 15 minutes. Instead, users should be ready to refer repeatedly to the FreeBSD documentation (https://www.freebsd.org/docs.html) and to fetch desired applications from websites. The reward for this effort will be greater knowledge of Unix-like systems – as well as the satisfaction that comes with doing it yourself.
GhostBSD (64-bit)
An off-shoot of TrueOS, GhostBSD is a prominent attempt to make FreeBSD more accessible to new users. GhostBSD's installer is graphical, like modern Linux installers, offering more choices for users and installing the MATE desktop with a minimum of effort. The default install also includes many familiar applications like LibreOffice, Firefox, and GTK technologies such as Rhythmbox and Shotwell.
More importantly, GhostBSD supports users with an installation forum (https://forums.ghostbsd.org/viewforum.php?f=59) and its still-in-development installation guide (https://wiki.ghostbsd.org/index.php/Installation_Guide). The project's web page also includes portions of the directory tree for those who wish to study it.
GhostBSD is suitable for those who want to explore FreeBSD, but want to spend less time on installation. Most of what you learn from exploring GhostBSD specifically should apply to FreeBSD in general.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome Fans Everywhere Rejoice for the Latest Release
Gnome 47.2 is now available for general use but don't expect much in the way of newness, as this is all about improvements and bug fixes.
-
Latest Cinnamon Desktop Releases with a Bold New Look
Just in time for the holidays, the developer of the Cinnamon desktop has shipped a new release to help spice up your eggnog with new features and a new look.
-
Armbian 24.11 Released with Expanded Hardware Support
If you've been waiting for Armbian to support OrangePi 5 Max and Radxa ROCK 5B+, the wait is over.
-
SUSE Renames Several Products for Better Name Recognition
SUSE has been a very powerful player in the European market, but it knows it must branch out to gain serious traction. Will a name change do the trick?
-
ESET Discovers New Linux Malware
WolfsBane is an all-in-one malware that has hit the Linux operating system and includes a dropper, a launcher, and a backdoor.
-
New Linux Kernel Patch Allows Forcing a CPU Mitigation
Even when CPU mitigations can consume precious CPU cycles, it might not be a bad idea to allow users to enable them, even if your machine isn't vulnerable.
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.5 Released
Notify your friends, loved ones, and colleagues that the latest version of RHEL is available with plenty of enhancements.
-
Linux Sees Massive Performance Increase from a Single Line of Code
With one line of code, Intel was able to increase the performance of the Linux kernel by 4,000 percent.
-
Fedora KDE Approved as an Official Spin
If you prefer the Plasma desktop environment and the Fedora distribution, you're in luck because there's now an official spin that is listed on the same level as the Fedora Workstation edition.
-
New Steam Client Ups the Ante for Linux
The latest release from Steam has some pretty cool tricks up its sleeve.