Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 09:19:31 -0700 From: "Bluezmo" <bluezmo@earthlink.net> To: <freebsd-newbies@freebsd.org> Subject: Hmm Message-ID: <JMEAJACIKMIJMPNGDNNJOEGHCAAA.bluezmo@earthlink.net>
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I've been tussling with installing & implementing FreeBSD 5 on a laptop for about 2 weeks now. The initial install took 4 days (which I expected given I knew nothing about BSD) & I've whittled down the install time to approximately 45 minutes from a DOS partition. I reinstalled because not all my hardware functions. Yesterday my buddy who recommended I try BSD as an alternative to Linux came over & we attempted the install of BSD 4.7 because it was "stable". I had hoped that we would be able to configure a PCMCIA ethernet card on the front end of the install by checking the conflicts & punching in the ports & IQ's documented by Windows (laptop, dual booted). We tried using the FTP site but the card didn't function. I tried the same paradigm for the CD ROM with the same results. OK, rather than suffer the anticipated wrath of the BSD community by posting to an inappropriate area, I have several questions about this experience. I joined the newbie group because I am a newbie & will want to ask questions. I've read until my eyeballs are swimming with "inuxes" & am slightly frustrated because I simply want to learn the OS rather than search newsgroups for the appropriate forum. When I click the link http://www.freebsd.org/search.html , to search, a redirect shuttles me to a message that the link doesn't function. So, I'm posting here because my concerns are newbie concerns. Hopefully, someone will take the time to comment. 1) If I don't find specific hardware listed in the hardware list, does that mean the drivers aren't available period? People expound on the advantages of open source code being ultimately customizable. In short, if the drivers aren't available for a device, and the kernel can't be configured, what can be done (if anything) to get the device to function? 2) Given the scenario (and post discussion with other "inux" users) it has been suggested that I try Linux initially to get my feet wet in the "inux" environment. My buddy says to stick with BSD. In the endless documentation I've perused, mention was made of Open & Net BSD. My perception was that those flavors maybe better suited to my goals. Frankly I don't know & want to gather some feedback. So, if someone is out there & cares to perhaps elaborate, it would be appreciated. I have several computers, Windows & Macintosh & want to learn UNIX. Thanks To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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