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PC-BSD 7 Released, With KDE 4.1.1
Posted by
timothy
on Wed Sep 17, 2008 08:14 AM
from the repeat-not-dead dept.
from the repeat-not-dead dept.
Gonzalo Martinez-Sanjuan Sanchez writes "The PC-BSD team is pleased to announce PC-BSD version 7.0! (Release Name: Fibonacci Edition.) This release marks a milestone for PC-BSD, by moving to the latest FreeBSD 7-Stable and also incorporating the KDE 4.1.1 desktop. Users will immediately notice the improved visual interface that KDE 4.1.1 offers, as well as a large improvement in hardware support and speed from the update to FreeBSD 7-Stable."
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Yes, but (Score:2)
where's the Bonaccio edition?
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
where's the Bonaccio edition?
The Bocaccio edition? They stopped supporting that years ago. The last time I saw one, it was installed on a DECameron.
Nostalgia edition? (Score:2, Interesting)
Looks like 32-bits only. How quaint.
Re:Nostalgia edition? (Score:5, Informative)
64 bit downloads on the torrent page, but not the image page. How odd!
http://www.gotbsd.net/ [gotbsd.net]
Also appears to include Linux compatibility out of the box. Will have to give this a go sometime.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
There is a 64-bit version, it just isn't out yet.
Huh? (Score:5, Funny)
Fibonacci edition? (Score:4, Funny)
So the minor versions go 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13...?
("One... two... FIVE!" "Three, sir!" "Three!")
Re: (Score:2)
Well, better the Fibonacci sequence than the Mersenne primes.
Welcomed Release (Score:3, Interesting)
Personally, I rather like the PBI concept. I got a little frustrated when setting up Firefox v3 on Ubuntu*, due to having to upgrade loads of libraries just to use it, which in turn caused many packages to become unusable unless they were also upgraded. I don't want to do a full OS upgraded just to use a web browser.
With PBI packages, the installation is sandboxed in its own directory, along with the needed libraries. This does take up more space, but in the long run it makes for quite a stable system.
*I like and use Ubuntu. I am not saying PCBSD is better or worse then Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution.
Why the obsession with Linux? (Score:4, Insightful)
Very, very often I scratch my head and wonder why there's such an obsession with the Linux kernel when it comes to desktops based around GNOME/KDE. From a desktop end-user point of view (and I'm an end-user), there's little difference between the two. The various types of BSD have great wifi card support, and most printers are supported by CUPS nowadays independently of the kernel. That's just about all I need, to be honest. Everything else I need is provided by software, such as Firefox.
What I like most about BSD is simply that it isn't Linux. It hasn't got the baggage that Linux has. I can mention it in polite conversation without being thought of as a fanatic. There are very, very few BSD fanboys -- people using it tend to be older, and more mature. It doesn't get on Digg, and if it does there will be like 10 comments from people passing the time, rather than debating how Windoze sux!!!!1!
This is a great thing. Perhaps it's just like Linux used to be 10 years ago.
Re: (Score:2)
and the BSD's & solaris
tend to default to csh or tcsh (i like tcsh but i really loathe csh -- no tab completion ? )
offcorse a chsh can fix that, but most linux users have never had the need for that command and most don't even know it exists
In the same way that most Windows users don't know that the "Command Prompt" exists. It's still not possible in either to do *everything* without delving into using a CLI. In Windows, working with anything but the most trivial Exchange Server features has traditionally required their CLI tools.
It wouldn't exactly take a lot of effort to implement bash under *BSD (if it hasn't already been done, cue the reply with the package link), but it's still hardly appropriate to accuse the majority of Linux users of s
Re: (Score:2)
Someone that's chosen BSD over Linux has already realised that BASH is to shells what high fructose corn syrup is to Americans.
Re: (Score:2)
i've never claimed linux users are ignorant i'm just stating that most linux (CLI) users are happy with bash and don't need it changed and when they do need it changed they either edit the passwd directly (i did that but it was very inconvient - combination of vi and not vim and qwerty keyboard layout)
You could also just use usermod -s mynewshell username to change that, without having to directly edit /etc/passwd
Re:Why the obsession with Linux? (Score:5, Informative)
So go to the vmware site and request FreeBSD support. There was a forum thread about it actually.
FreeBSD has two built in shells and several editors. I don't see what's so hard about pkg_add -r bash nano if you want to go GNU.
The bash port adds it to /etc/shells so chsh works. Other BSDs include different shells. For instance, OpenBSD has a modified pdksh which is decent. MidnightBSD and MirBSD include mksh. MidnightBSD also has tcsh and ash (/bin/sh is ash in freebsd too)
Dragonfly and MidnightBSD include mined as an alternate editor as well.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
ok so pkg_add -r vim
I don't see why you *need* vim over vi. Do you have to have colors? I don't mind using gvim from time to time, but it's not required for me to get work done.
Re: (Score:2)
i never mentionned ports, offcourse they work they have been edited to ... WORK ... shit that's outside of ports
i'm talking about all those source code tarballs you can get from every damn sourceforge,berlios or freshmeat
project, you know
Actually, what the OP wrote was "I've rarely had a problem compiling things that aren't in the ports tree manually". I've also had few problems, as both FreeBSD and Linux have been converging on POSIX standards for the last few years.
Re: (Score:2)
vipw is the way you're supposed to edit the passwd file - It exists in linux too.. On FreeBSD, vipw will run pwd_mkdb automatically after you exit. The good thing about pwd_mkdb, is it lets you know that you screwed up before shooting yourself in the foot.
pwd_mkdb: * uid is incorrect /etc/pw.mXg864: Inappropriate file type or format
pwd_mkdb: at line #4
pwd_mkdb:
Are you against the crontab(1) command too? :)
Re: (Score:2)
Leave Plan9 alone !!
Re: (Score:2)
We don't have a complex. It's just a fact.
Re:But...? (Score:4, Funny)
Does it run a unix-like, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD?
Nope, definitely doesn't have the same ring to it.
Parent
Re:But...? (Score:5, Informative)
Does it run Linux?
Yeah, just install /usr/ports/emulators/linux_base-fc6.
Parent
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
That is not the linux kernel but rather just some userland crap running on the linuxolator. This is not even close to the same thing.
Re: (Score:2)
Sure, just install the linux-base for binary emulation. Occasional user of elfbrand may be required.
Re: (Score:2)
You are correct, sir. Its not a command that I use very often and so I forgot.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
This is a silly question, but have you tried the linux binary compatibility layer? I haven't, but I've been meaning to try since it appears that a native port is a ways off.
Re: (Score:2)
The linuxolator has trouble running modern virtualization environments. Not all the system calls are available to do so. For instance, vmware wont' run after like version 3. VirtualBox is a real pain to port and most other products don't work right.
21st century names are so great. (Score:5, Funny)
Right, they should have named it "Hurtling Llama" or "Stoned Hyena".
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
0k, h0w ab0ut m0n0wall?
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Personal computer - blue screen of death edition?
That's a horrible code name for vista!
Re:Wonderful naming, there (Score:5, Funny)
And yet it's more honest than "Mojave".
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Well, it's aimed at the desktop, maybe they could call it "Desktop-BSD". Except that "Desktop" as a word is somewhat anachronistic. Not only are small mobile form factors the flavor du jour, even traditional "Desktop" users are using laptops instead of "desktops".
So, PC-BSD is an operating system aimed at computers which offer a wide variety of services for personal use. The target platforms provide a comprehensive set of services, as opposed to devices like music players or GPS navigators, so they are g
Re:Wonderful naming, there (Score:5, Informative)
Well, it's aimed at the desktop, maybe they could call it "Desktop-BSD". Except that "Desktop" as a word is somewhat anachronistic.
And it is already taken. [desktopbsd.net]
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
And how is any of that relevant in any way?
Re: (Score:2)
He explained that this isn't a desktop OS, but a personal OS. Then he broke down what personal computing has meant through the short history of computing.
I think we all know what KDE gets associated with in the Linux world, and it makes sense to clarify that PC-BSD has more mature, realistic goals than 'to replace Windows on the desktop.'
Re: (Score:2)
And once again, how is that relevant to the issue of "PC-BSD" being a horribly, fatally bad name?
Re: (Score:2)
Yabbut, you can put anything in the name with "BSD" and it's just fine thanks. Those of us who program these things simply go "phew".
Besides I like the name. It tells me it's BSD that's been tweaked for a PC. So maybe there's a chance sound, flash and my camera will work.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
What, you would prefer Pornographic Puma?
Or perhaps Vomiting Vole?
Infectious Iguanadon? (presumably obsolete before release)
Twisted Tapir?
Yeah, these are MUCH better. For certain definitions of "better."
Re: (Score:2)
The fact that there are worse names does not make this one good, you know.
Re: (Score:2)
And nobody will care, because the thing is named "PC-BSD". What is this, 1985?
Close, I think it's 1984 these days. :-(
Re: (Score:2)
Unfortunately, it has nothing at all to do with things being good for them. I have never tried PC-BSD, so it's not like I am complaining about the name because everything else is good. I haven't even gotten to anything but the name because the name is so bad that it just jumps out at you the first time you see it.
And if your name scares people away, it doesn't matter how awesome your product is, because people aren't going to find out.
Re: (Score:2)
KDE 4.1.1 may not be as mature as >3.5.9, but it's certainly usable. Apart from Dolphin being something of a joke (horribly slow, but for all I know that might be a local or Debian problem; I don't even use it), I haven't had any trouble with KDE for a month or so. It's not a bad desktop.
Re: (Score:2)
<shamelessplug>
I recently wrote a short comparison of KDE 3.5 vs 4.1 [tycho.ws]. It's targeted primarily at Kubuntu users (who will be forced to upgrade to 4.1 with the release of Intrepid Ibex), but others at /. may find it useful.
I've only been using 4.1 for about a week, though, so it's really just my initial impressions.
</shamelessplug>
Re: (Score:2)
I think the point wasn't so much that KDE4 is lacking, although my recent spin of ibex showed a few limitations compared to hardy (some kde some kubuntu), but that BSD has a reputation for a throughly inspected, very stable environment and KDE4 hasnt been out long enough for it to be either.
Re: (Score:2)
BSD's reputation is based partly on the fact that not many people use it. It's mostly hearsay. The FreeBSD 5.x series is a good example of a not very stable or thoroughly inspected environment, as is NetBSD on some so-called "supported" platforms (I'm talking about Mac-PPC here).
Re: (Score:2)
The FreeBSD 5.x series is a good example of a not very stable or thoroughly inspected environment, as is NetBSD on some so-called "supported" platforms (I'm talking about Mac-PPC here).
while I agree that FreeBSD 5.x was effectively a beta release at best, I disagree with your opinion on NetBSD. Speaking as someone who runs NetBSD and Linux on a PowerPC Mac (G4 Powerbook), I can assure you that while installing NetBSD was painful, it runs faster than Linux as well as being just as stable. I also run NetBSD
Re: (Score:2)
My experience is different. Installation wasn't that difficult, with the exception of OpenFirmware (OldWorld), but that's Apple's fault. Drivers were left out and needed a kernel recompile, were marked experimental and you notice they really are. Poor driver support in general, and drivers under development didn't even compile. Same for much of the third party software in pkgsrc. No, it didn't crash often, until I tried to make it usable. But this is ancient hardware, and NetBSD didn't support it in any way
Re: (Score:2)
Wake me when you can run VMware or VirtualBox under BSD. Until then, it's useless to me.
The source is available [virtualbox.org] for VirtualBox's "OSE" version. If someone felt so inclined, they could port the *BSD-specific bits to work. I'm assuming the major work would be in the kernel module, but if you want it done badly enough, you could do it.