From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Thu Aug 9 05:02:06 2007 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id CE11C16A417 for ; Thu, 9 Aug 2007 05:02:06 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from lists-fbsd@shadypond.com) Received: from mx-outbound01.easydns.com (mailout.easydns.com [205.210.42.54]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id A89DC13C478 for ; Thu, 9 Aug 2007 05:02:06 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from lists-fbsd@shadypond.com) Received: from slider.shadypond.com (69-12-173-117.static.humboldt1.com [69.12.173.117]) (using TLSv1 with cipher DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA (256/256 bits)) (No client certificate requested) by mx-outbound01.easydns.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6023E7F82 for ; Thu, 9 Aug 2007 01:02:05 -0400 (EDT) Received: from slider.shadypond.com (slider.shadypond.com [192.168.1.11]) by slider.shadypond.com (postoffice) with ESMTP id 9E2E4B65D7 for ; Thu, 9 Aug 2007 05:02:00 +0000 (UTC) From: Pollywog To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 05:01:59 +0000 References: <46BA9682.7020203@ix.netcom.com> In-Reply-To: <46BA9682.7020203@ix.netcom.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Message-Id: <200708090501.59948.lists-fbsd@shadypond.com> Subject: Re: Convince me, please! X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:02:06 -0000 On Thursday 09 August 2007 04:22:26 Latitude wrote: > I'm interested in changing over to FreeBSD from Windows, but I'll have > to say, you guys don't really present a forceful argument to Windows > users of how easy the switch may be. I get knee-deep in FreeBSD jargon > the second I get to your webpage. I need to see an overwhelming argument > that FreeBSD is a perfectly acceptable alternative for home desktop > users who have previously known only Windows. > > For instance, if I download and install FreeBSD, will I instantly have a > desktop windowing environment that I can navigate in while I figure out > what's going on? Will I have a browser and way to setup an internet > connection right off the bat? How will I migrate files from other > operating systems? > > I understand you guys have been around for a while, but you don't seem > to understand the monumental "fear" involved in switching operating > systems. You need to address those concerns head on from the start. I > need to see several screenshots of apps that I can use as alternatives > to what I have. > > Help me (and yourselves) out. I hope I do not get flamed for saying this... I am a new arrival to *BSD though I have used Linux for ten years. I think that if you want a working system right off the bat, PC-BSD or DesktopBSD would be a better introduction for you. I liked PC-BSD and found it as easy to install as Xandros or Linspire or Freespire Linuxes. I mention those because those Linuxes are easy to install.