DesktopBSD
 | |
| Screenshot of DesktopBSD DesktopBSD default desktop | |
| Developer | DesktopBSD Team [1] |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open source |
| Latest release | 1.7 / September 7, 2009 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic |
| Default user interface | KDE (Version 3.5.10) |
| License | Several:
|
| Official website | desktopbsd.net |
DesktopBSD is a Unix-derivative, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD. Its goal is to combine the stability of FreeBSD with the ease-of-use of KDE, which is the default graphical user interface. It is available for the IA-32 (also known as 32-bit x86) and AMD64 platforms.
History and development
DesktopBSD is essentially a customized installation of FreeBSD and is not a fork of FreeBSD. DesktopBSD is always based on FreeBSD's latest stable branch but incorporates certain customized, pre-installed software such as KDE and DesktopBSD utilities and configuration files.
A common misconception about DesktopBSD is that it is intended as a rival to PC-BSD as a BSD-based desktop distribution, since they are similar in structure and goals. However, the DesktopBSD project was started approximately one year before the PC-BSD project, despite the fact that the first PC-BSD release came out before DesktopBSD's. Neither the DesktopBSD nor PC-BSD projects intend to rival each other and are completely independent projects with distinctive features and intended outcomes: e.g., DesktopBSD uses ports and packages for additional software installation, whereas PC-BSD introduced PBIs.
The current release is 1.7 which was made available on September 7, 2009. The release announcement stated "This is the last and final release of the DesktopBSD project" because the lead developer could no longer contribute the time required to maintain it.[4]
Features
- Graphical installer allowing to partition disks and create users
- Graphical tool for managing, installing and updating software using FreeBSD ports system
- Graphical management of network interfaces and mounting/unmounting drives
1.7 Release
The 1.7 Release includes
- Live-DVD feature - try the system before installing it
- FreeBSD 7.2 as stable and secure base system
- KDE 3.5.10 as mature and easy-to-use desktop environment
- OpenOffice.org 3.1.1 as feature-rich office suite
- Pre-installed Java SE 6 environment
- X.Org release 7.4 with extensive graphics support
- Large number of enhancements and fixes
- Support for GRUB as a boot menu (i386 only) and a graphical configuration tool
- Boot splash image management
On 7th of September 2009 DesktopBSD 1.7 was made available on the project site
Logos and artwork
DesktopBSD logos and artwork collection are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 License for Austria[2].
See also
References
- ^ "DesktopBSD Team Members". desktopbsd.net. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ a b "DesktopBSD Artwork Collection". desktopbsd.net. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ "KDE Licensing Policy". KDE TechBase. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ "DesktopBSD 1.7 available". desktopbsd.net. 2009-09-07. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
External links
- DesktopBSD homepage
- DesktopBSD wiki
- DesktopBSD developer blog
- DesktopBSD 1.0RC3 release notes
- BSDNews.com article on DesktopBSD
- BSDLinuxGangster Review, screenshots
- BSDTalk Interview with Peter Hofer (DesktopBSD developer/mp3)
- DesktopBSD flyer Info from AllBSD.de (pdf/English)
- Template:OSDir
- Using DesktopBSD Dru Lavigne
- BSD News, Search Engine, Forums and Tutorials