OpenBSD Desktop HowTo

A few days ago, mips asked me by PM if I would consider writing a guide about getting a nice and pretty OpenBSD desktop system. Because I have more time to spare these days than I can use, I thought "why not ?", the result is there :

http://fkraiem.no-ip.org/wiki/OpenBSD_Desktop_HowTo

As you can see, it's far from finished yet but it should evolve rather quickly during the next few days.

Remarks ? Comments ? Things you would like to see covered ? Fire :) But please do not edit until it's finished ;)

Thank you!

I can see this is only the beginning of your howto but I think a dual-boot install is what most people would use.

So far it is looking good and I cannot wait to see the later parts where you actually delve into the X & the DE and tweaking it.

I'm fine with installing OBSD and can get X & DE running but I need to learn the finer things like customising it in obsd, using codecs, linux flash etc.

Well what exactly do you mean "customizing it" ? When it comes to the DE, it's pretty much the same in every OS...

HymnToLife said: Well what exactly do you mean "customizing it" ? When it comes to the DE, it's pretty much the same in every OS...

Stuff like getting great fonts, clicking on a drive and automounting it, getting suspend/resume etc working nicely (and whatever other laptop stuff), wireless gui for my cisco & intel cards.

Thx

This is awesome, exactly what I've been looking for. I tried it a couple months back but couldn't get it to work.

Please, keep up the great work!

Okay, the instructions for installing an OpenBSD-only system are done. I think I'll write those for an OpenBSD-Linux dual-boot before the desktop-configuring stuff.

thx, nice work!

I'm busy creating a local mirror of OpenBSD/4.1/i386. I find the net installs to slow as I don't usually get good download rates.

Once I have all the files I'm going to make a bootable cd so the entire install can be done from cd.

This will also be handy in future or when there is no internet connection. I could even make my own machine a ftp server for over the lan installs if I have to but I prefer cd.

Why not buy an official CD-set then ? They also have a nice set of packages to install off the CD :)

HymnToLife said: Why not buy an official CD-set then ? They also have a nice set of packages to install off the CD :)

I will donate later, around 4.2. I need the 4.1cd now.

Edit: Creating a compete bootable cd was really easy, way easier than I though anyway.

I dont see a reason for using OpenBSD as a desktop. On BSD, FreeBSD can be good, but OpenBSD is not designed for it.

corrosion said: I dont see a reason for using OpenBSD as a desktop. On BSD, FreeBSD can be good, but OpenBSD is not designed for it.

Then don't use it, and leave others in peace. And also, please refrain from posting useless posts as this one.

Erm.. OpenBSD makes a fine desktop.

But don't expect to have Compiz, Flash, Nvidia drivers and all that stuff.

It is not a useless post. I think it is correct to write it to avoid some people to try it without investigating first what really that OS is. Instead of writing like that, you could write some good reasons to use OpenBSD as a desktop instead of a GNU/Linux or other *BSD. I didnt write that post to try to make any "flame" or disturb.

corrosion said: Instead of writing like that, you could write some good reasons to use OpenBSD as a desktop instead of a GNU/Linux or other *BSD. I didnt write that post to try to make any "flame" or disturb.

Why should I do that ? Don't expect me to write some "Ten Reasons My OS Is Better Than Yours"-thingie. I assume people want to try/use OpenBSD, whatever their reasons are, and explain them how to do so. Period.

Nice guide! I've used FreeBSD on the Desktop for awhile but never messed with OpenBSD. I'll have to give it a try now. Looks like it'll be fun to play around with.