Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 23:58:48 +0000 From: John Murphy <jfm@blueyonder.co.uk> To: "Bluezmo" <bluezmo@earthlink.net> Cc: newbies@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Hmm Message-ID: <0njk7v8tqbl7812t37qq4nsodqbrgmgs6t@4ax.com> In-Reply-To: <JMEAJACIKMIJMPNGDNNJOEGHCAAA.bluezmo@earthlink.net> References: <JMEAJACIKMIJMPNGDNNJOEGHCAAA.bluezmo@earthlink.net>
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"Bluezmo" <bluezmo@earthlink.net> wrote: >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. You've done well to persevere with a 5.0 install on a laptop, as your first FreeBSD experience. >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. 4.7 would be a better install for anyone who would consider themself a newbie. The subscribers to FreeBSD-questions have more experience of the 4 branch, so you would be more likely to get valid answers to technical questions. >OK, rather than suffer the anticipated wrath of the BSD community by posting >to an inappropriate area, I have several questions about this experience. Your fears are, IMHO, unfounded. Though you're wise to ask first, and it's exactly the type of question that's on topic here. >I joined the newbie group because I am a newbie & will want to ask questions. Great, but your technical questions should be asked on -questions. You probably won't get flamed even if your question is a FAQ or is well covered in the handbook; especially if you mention you're fairly new. >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. That page is at http://www.freebsd.org/search/search.html Where is the link you clicked? You should inform the appropriate webmaster if there's a broken link somewhere. I often use the amazing google machine to search FreeBSD questions archive: http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=lang_en&group=mailing.freebsd.questions >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? I've heard rumours that some FreeBSD developers will work for hardware almost ;) but it amazes me how much hardware is well supported. Perhaps the very worst hardware is less likely to be of interest to the developers. Also, it would depend on the "inux" friendliness of the manufacturer. But I'm a newbie, so don't quote me. You'll get a better answer on -questions. >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. I'd definitely go with your buddy. But it mostly depends what you're trying to achieve... >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. Some say OpenBSD is the securest thing since Fort Knox, and others that NetBSD will run on your toaster! The latter works well on some odd 486s I have, where Free won't. Using NetBSD a little helps me appreciate the familiarity of Free. Though some of the differences are interesting... I never thought I'd have _free_ access to such quality software. >So, if someone is out there & cares to perhaps elaborate, it would be >appreciated. I have several computers, Windows & Macintosh & want to learn >UNIX. You will have a lot of fun. Can you run OS ten on that Mac? (Though you should perhaps not state the "UNIX" word so loudly. But that, as they say, is another story.) Good luck. John. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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