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I just got FreeBSD 4.6. It's my first attempt at open source and I'm having trouble. When I actually got it installed, I was at command prompt. I know it's something I'm doing wrong. My question is does anyone know some good sites for BSD?

Originally posted by cyPHer_138
When I actually got it installed, I was at command prompt. I know it's something I'm doing wrong.

Nothing wrong, welcome to UNIX....

Now you know what they mean by lighter OS. Imagine an OS where people actually have to learn things! No, not menu's to navigate through, but commands with meaning and definition. Not too mention proper syntax

Stef

http://www.openbsd.org
http://www.freebsd.org

both have decent documentation.


http://www.xfree86.org

Did you configure X during the install? If so, try "startx" from the command line. What desktop are you using?


Skye

Edit - a good first choice for open source might be linux. Several distros (redhat especially) are making a play for the desktop so they are a little closer to windows - from a user perspective anyway. There are a lot more resources for newb's in the linux world too. BSD is generally popular among ISPs and security enthusiasts...people who want performance/security over features.

This is where I keep getting stumped during the install:
Configure X-Server- I select fully graphhical interface. when I'm there my video card is'nt there. I have a Nvidia Ti4600 128 DDR. So I select DDR. I can get command prompt but no GUI nor a choice of a desktop manager.
My other problem is I have too many options at boot for an OS. Currently I have XP & FreeBSD(well sort of) How do I remove these failed BSD attemps?
I'll get it in time. The way I see it is anything worth having is worth the trouble of figuring it out.

http://www.xfree86.org/current/Status22.html#22

Take a look there, not sure if your card is listed there or not. You've got to remember that if your card is somewhat compatible with another similar make the odds are that driver will provide you with some functionality.

FreeBSD has got this neat on-line manual page search engine. I found this link. Perhaps it might help.

One thing that you've overlooked is the FreeBSD mailling list. The majority of open-source software is developped over the internet. Mailling list are essential to that development. It's where developpers and end-users meet.

Stef

Great links . Thanx Stef. I'll keep you posted on my Open Source adventure.

So far Free BSD has been a complete waste of time and money. I only hope that LInux will be a different story when it finaly arrives. I'am so ready to just throw in the towel on FreeBSD. It's been nothing but a headache for me so far.

Sorry to hear that. xBSD is generally better suited to the server world. Performance and security, at the price of ease of use. It lacks administration tools making configuration tedious. Perhaps not the best choice for the first foray into *nix...

You'll find A LOT of forums and other resources to get you going. http://linuxnewbie.org is a decent place to start.

Some people say unix isn't user friendly. I completelly disagree - it isn't beginner friendly. Once you get over the hump you don't ever want to go back. Except for games...M$ wins there hands down.

Have fun,

Skye

Thanx for the reassurance. It's the version of Xfree86 that the install comes with that has made this diffacult to say the least. By the time I get the Mandrake 9.0 I preordered, it will be alot eaiser.
I've become used to configuring the kernal, creating slices and some basic unix commands. I want to throw in the towel but I can't. I'll have to install FreeBSD at cli and port the recent Xfree86 and compile a custom kernal from what I've read in the BSD Handbook. Thats ALOT for a newbie like myself. I could have done LFS after its all said and done.
Well I guess you have to get your hands dirty to really learn what its all about.

Good attitude!

Before you start beating yourself up, realize that x is the hardest part to a bsd install. period. Once past that (with your obvious exposure to things *nix) it really is downhill.

The boxes on which I have installed bsd have been servers. Security and (limited) system resources were the motivators, so X never got installed. I have since tried X and it is a mess - you need to know A LOT of low-level stuff about your card and monitor - you can seriously damage your HW if you set frequencies incorrectly....

Like I said, Linux is a good 'gateway OS' to use the narcotic anaolgy and a fine destination too. I had to learn unix on Solaris (sunos)...on the job to keep my job. Count your blessings


Have fun,

Skye

That's the problem with BSD distrobutions, they're meant for work and not play. If you want to run BSD as your desktop be prepared to do a lot of make && make install

Stay away from Mandrake, honestly, it sucks.... Get a Linux distro that tries to be it's own OS and not like Microsoft's OS. Try Debian, it's fast, rock solid, and easy to use and configure.

Stef

Well I'm stuck with Mandrake now since I preordered 9.0. I will get Debain without a doubt as soon as I get a CDR . I opted for the 2nd HD when I got to the store. I could'nt help myself.
I'll get it Friday for sure.
As for Mandrake...Seems my brother is now checked off my xmas list.

Mandrake isn't all that bad, I personally don't like it because it tends not too teach users about the Linux kernel and GNU userland. Use it too start out with and then move on from there

Stef

I personally find FreeBSD to be easier to use than Linux. IMO Linux has too much scripting in it's config files (look in /etc and you'll know what I mean) for me while FreeBSD's config files is pretty much in 'english'. Anyway, you asked for some good sites on FreeBSD, I'll give you two (cause that's all I have in my bookmarks right now) One is http://www.freebsd.org and the other is http://www.bsdforums.org .

To get your Ti4600 working you'll need to download the FreeBSD driver from nvidia http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=freebsd_1.0-3203 . Unfortuately it requires FreeBSD 4.7. However, 'upgrading' is really very easy. Just follow the directions in the Handbook.

Excelent links savage. I finaly got my CDR. I just ripped Debian,Slackware,Gentoo,Evillinux,FreeBSD 4.7. I'll install latter. I can't wait to see *nix beyond cli.
I'm sure I'll be posting questions. Untill than thanx alot for the help. I was felling pretty lonely here.