From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Sat Mar 5 14:24:42 2005 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 989A816A4CE for ; Sat, 5 Mar 2005 14:24:42 +0000 (GMT) Received: from admin.cablespeed.com (mail.admin.cablespeed.com [216.15.205.68]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id C899E43D31 for ; Sat, 5 Mar 2005 14:24:41 +0000 (GMT) (envelope-from cjheinlein@cablespeed.com) Received: from [202.69.188.75] (account cjheinlein@cablespeed.com HELO chris) by admin.cablespeed.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.1.8) with ESMTP id 111010746 for freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org; Sat, 05 Mar 2005 08:24:40 -0600 Message-ID: <001501c52197$14127760$6501a8c0@chris> From: "Chris" To: Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2005 23:21:58 +0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2527 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2527 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable X-Content-Filtered-By: Mailman/MimeDel 2.1.1 Subject: Please help if you can X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Sat, 05 Mar 2005 14:24:42 -0000 First and foremost hello, and thank you for offering a program such as = this for free. I have not yet installed or tried the FreeBSD platform = (am downloading it currently), but I do have a few questions before i = waste more cd's to install yet another possible failure of an OS (of = course not saying FreeBSD is a failure, but I'm sure you know what I = mean :D) I would like to know if this OS platform supports your everday = and ever so standard .EXE applications. Basically, I am wondering if = FreeBSD is compatible to all of the endless softwares out there that = "require" you to be using a certain version of Microsoft Windows? I'm = not a computer genius (though for some reason many label me as that) but = I know my way around the Windows platform quite well. I am not an = advanced programmer in any sort, but I do try and have several different = types of programming software. What I am hoping to gain out of using FreeBSD is first and foremost, rid = of Windows for good. I have used Window for quite so many years now and = have seen it fall more and more as more and more new versions came out. = I'm finally fed up with it. But I'm afraid of one thing... that I won't = have the capabilities with a Linux based OS that I did with Windows. = Unfortunately, Microsoft is pretty much a monopoly, we all know that, = and they pride themselves on forcing others out of business, but once = again, there's the compatibility issue that I'm worried about. If you could assist me in any way to my question, I would greatly = appreciate it and try FreeBSD out immediately. I sent an inquiry about = another Linux based OS, and recieved a reply of "we're going to be = releasing a new version in the next few months, I'll hold on to this = email and answer your questions upon release". I really hope I do not = get this kind of response from you. I have read the background of the = FreeBSD world, and greatly respect you, most of all for providing this = for free instead of charging an arm and a leg for the OS per machine. I read the compatibility section for hardware but really didn't see any = of mine listed, so I'll list what I have and hopefully, if you have = time, you can give me a yes or no. I would love you forever if you could = do that :D. My System: Shuttle XPC SS56-G Barebones with Intel Socket 478 Intel Celeron 2.4 Ghz (I know this is supported) 768MB PC2100 RAM nVidia GeForce FX 5200 128MB AGP video card Memorex 48-24-48 CDR/RW The following components are all onboard the Shuttle mainboard: Advance AC'97 sound card Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC USB and USB 2.0 That's pretty much all I use as far as hardware goes, and really the = only things I wish to gain confirmation on being supported. I wouldn't = think of boring you with the endless amounts of software that I use, = cause I can figure that out on my own later. I just want to make sure = that I can actually use the OS before I install it and possibly end up = with time and cd's wasted. The only reason I say this is due to several = other "free" versions of Linux based OS's. Once again, I really do appreciate the time you have to invest on = reading this email, and greatly appreciate any support that you can give = to me. And thank you for providing a truely free OS that doesn't appear = to have background fee's that will come later. Thank a million, Christopher Heinlein cjheinlein@cablespeed.com cjheinlein@comclark.com