Whats really the difference between PC and Desktop BSD?

Ill always be fascinated with the BSDs. One day Ill attempt to learn FreeBSD. :) Untill then I wanted to try some of the "packaged" BSDs. I tried PC-BSD and Desktop BSD.

While these are both fine BSDs, I want something Gnome based.

After that thought though, I though what was the real difference between the two? Their both aimed at the desktop, FreeBSD based, use KDE and have about the same set of apps.

So Im wondering why are they separate? :-k Im actually looking for someone with insite. Not just conjecture.

PC-BSD offers a different/optional packaging system to install binary packages with a simple click&run type interface. Beyond this they dont differ much. Someone correct me if i'm talking shite.

mips said: PC-BSD offers a different/optional packaging system to install binary packages with a simple click&run type interface. Beyond this they dont differ much. Someone correct me if i'm talking shite.

Hmm... Too bad the projects couldnt merge.

Anyone know a desktop BSD based on FreeBSD and Gnome?

MetalMusicAddict said: Hmm... Too bad the projects couldnt merge.

Anyone know a desktop BSD based on FreeBSD and Gnome?

Nope, there are not that many desktop bsds out there. Why not simply install gnome ?

mips said: Nope, there are not that many desktop bsds out there. Why not simply install gnome ?

It kinda comes down to time and lazyness atm. :) Im so swamped with family and Ubuntu Studio Id like something quick and easy. Ill learn FreeBSD one day. ;)

PC-BSD looks to be an easy to install and administer BSD desktop for casual users, while DesktopBSD looks to streamline the whole FreeBSD install process while not messing with the whole "BSD Experience."

PC-BSD is sort of like Lin/Freespire to DesktopBSD's Ubuntu. Or something. :mrgreen:

I'm running PC-BSD 1.3 on my desktop, BTW.

justin whitaker said: I'm running PC-BSD 1.3 on my desktop, BTW.

How do you like it? I am using the 1.2 version and I like it quite a bit. If you have tried 1.2, what you say are the major differences? Thanks!

ebozzz said: How do you like it? I am using the 1.2 version and I like it quite a bit. If you have tried 1.2, what you say are the major differences? Thanks!

I like it. I really do not care much for the whole PBI thing, since many of those applications are aged...but PC-BSD 1.3 gets alot of things right.

http://aweekwith.blogspot.com/

That's the blog posts I've out up about my experiences so far. :mrgreen:

justin whitaker said: I like it. I really do not care much for the whole PBI thing, since many of those applications are aged...but PC-BSD 1.3 gets alot of things right.

http://aweekwith.blogspot.com/

That's the blog posts I've out up about my experiences so far. :mrgreen:

Thanks for the info. ;)

I've just installed PC-BSD, & think it is great!

Actually I love the pbi install system, but if you don't like it there are 2 other ways that I know of to install.

My internet all worked straight away, & my initial desktop was 1280x1024 before I even installed the nVidia drivers, which was done by just downloading the driver from www.pcbsd.org then double clicking with the mouse to launch the installer, twice more & then the usual reboot to get the nVidia drivers happening. Easier & much faster than Automatix2!

I expect the only thing that I probably won't be able to do is play Guild Wars, Cedega doesn't work, I will give Wine a go, but I'm not too hopeful...

Still a very impressive experience so far... :KS

FreeBSD is the foundation for most of the BSD's I think Dragonfly BSD is working on a microkernel & is radically different.

The following link has all the BSD's covered:

_*http://www.bsd.org/*_

Pretty impressed with the PCBSD and have upgraded to 1.3.....only problem i had with Desktop is that till 6.2 and DBSD come out with the next release, you are stuck with BSD 5.5.....PCBSD is currently on the FBSD 6.1 with 6.2 expected in their next release....oh, and the docs are better, tho they are still working on that......

No real point in merging, bsd isnt linux.....pcbsd already uses some DBSD tools, but both are simply tweaked BSD....if you dont like pbis you can simply use ports which is most users do anyway.........unless theyre lazy and dont wanna port OOffice, heh

You can grab a copy of DesktopBSD 1.6RC1 here: ftp://ftp.desktopbsd.net/pub/DesktopBSD/Torrents/1.6/DesktopBSD-1.6RC1-i386-CD.iso.torrent

It's based on FreeBSD 6.2

good news angryfirelord, thanks for the link......

cheers

As of today PC-BSD uses a newer FreeBSD, 6.1. I think, while DesktopBSD use 5. AFAIR.

PC.BSD is backed by professionel support and a paid developer. Desktop is a volunteer project and very slow to release.

My wish is, at Desktop BSD shifts to Gnome, so we have choices however they got insulted when I proposed it and locked the thread. It was not open for discussion :-)

PC-BSD has thousands of user, DesktopBSD probably a few hundred.

Of special significance in PC-BSD is that Windows WMV movies works. See the videos on www.jp.dk that "are optimized" for WMP.

Anyone can take PC-BSD as well as a Linux and enjoy the same experience.

Two major factors i used in choosing pc bsd.....one , the dbsd development is still mired in 5.5 FBSD and had to delay a 6 based released till xorg setles down. More importantly, check the forums, there is a bit too much megalomaniacal flaming going on for the DBSD board.

I have found PC BSD boards, knowledge base, and irc to be very supportive and friendly. They have some corporate sponsorship, allowing the main devs to spend their time working on the system. Nor is iX looking to take over PC BSD , they have their own business and PC BSD is just another PR, dev project proving mutually beneficial to company and distro. The BSD license virtually ensures even a corporate sponsor can't suddenly turn a free OSS project into Xandros. Also most devs stick to the tried and ture ports by preference....pbis are as helpful as say.......downloading slackware pkg binaries instead of the preferred way of compiling. Not everyone has time to ocmpile kde or OOo......Its about choice......im leaning bsd without having to rely on the 'heretical' pbis that DBSD harps on. And its already on 6.1 FBSD wih a six two base in their next release in the coming months.

DBSD tends to harp on the fact that pbis are not bsd.....but you can pretty much run pc bsd as pure bsd, without resorting to pbi pkgs. Except perhaps in update patches......i think ive used five or six pbi for the huge apps.....if they are problematic i use bsd pkg_add or ports. So far PCBSD is way ahead on all fronts and the pbi complaints are mostly fud. Dont like em? dont use em. Its FBSD under the hood, just like DBSD, but -imo- with less of an attitude problem and a more polished up to date product.

Given the pleasant and easy PC BSD experience, I look forward to trying the straight FBSD soon. The DBSD install is equally easy, but the above points prove drawbacks. Actually the main point in not switching to traditional freeBSD is my laziness in the event I need to reinstall. I don't mind working on my system, but hate long drawn out installs. I find PCBSD to FreeBSD what Ubuntu is to Debian. DBSD may soon go the way of kanotix unfortunately.....not, these days a pretty sight.