Thinking about using PC-BSD

Hi
I am thinking about switching to PC-BSD,I was wanting to know if it is better than Mandrake linux 10.0 ?
That is what I am using at the moment,it is ok,but I have no sound on my computer.
My computer is a Dell Optiplex GX1 500mhz,385megs ram
I don'nt know what kind of sound card I have.
What do you think? should I switch? I would like to try something new.
Jim

[mattanderson1_2000]

But....
I personally have found past Mandrake releases to be less than stable.

At this point, you probably don't have much to lose, I'd say go ahead and give it a try!

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Matt Anderson

[sblevin]

Guest, PC-BSD is VERY new, four months?, and is very beta as well.

That's your option. You will be faced with a lot of learning (untill 1.0 comes out) and probably multiple reinstalls till the system settles.

If you want a challenge, PC-BSD is cool and exciting at the moment.

The user community is remarkably good here I've found - and quick to respond.

Good luck with your choice.

[Weixiong]

I haven't used Mandrake 10, but I've used Mandrake 8.2 and 9.0 and like PC-BSD much more.

[munkymonkjr]

if you are a linux user, there is a learning curve to go to bsd. i've tried Mandrake 10 and to be honest, i wasn't impressed. That is why I moved on to vida linux (based on gentoo) and Ubuntu Hoary (based on debian) both of which were pretty good (especially Ubuntu).

so far i am really liking my experience with BSD, i have gotten everything configured on my Dell L866r with nVidia FX5700le to replace the Intel i810 gpu, except of course, like all bsd nightmare, the printer (HP PSC 1315...if anyone has ideas, please get in touch with me ASAP!).

you do really have very little to lose and i recommend you make the switch, if you dont like it and choose linux is more up your alley, i suggest you try Gentoo 2005.0 and Ubuntu (the current version is Hoary Hedgehog 5.04, the next release is Breezy Badger 5.10 scheduled for october...supposed to have amazing hardware recognition and possibly become the best linux for laptops...which in my opinion it is already....it is #1 on DistroWatch with a huge lead over #2)

And to give you some general info to look forward to if you try PC-BSD:
-read read read! the FAQ, this forum, and the FreeBSD handbook are great :)
-since RPM is package management for dummies, it will take you a bit to adjust to Ports, however, its pretty simple, even easier if you are at least vaguely familiar with the concept of Gentoo's Portage or even Debian's apt-get.
-from my experience BSD is actually faster on my rig than linux ever was :)