Does PPC Mac need specific version of PC-BSD?

[fluca1978]

Great, thanks again for the reply and the clarifications . . . it seems that I can safely come to the conclusion that I could download the FreeBSD 9 .iso, burn it to a DVD, and there will be a text-based installer that will either "guide" me, or will offer enough choices that a working OS will result? with Desktop environment or window manager to at least have a GUI to play with??????

Well, PCBSD has a graphical installer and provides you with a fully featured desktop out of the box. FreeBSD has the text installer (ncurses like) and does not provide a desktop out of the box. But the difference between PCBSD and FreeBSD is mainly the packages installed, so you can transform a plain FreeBSD into a PCBSD like station.

It seems like reading the FreeBSD wiki makes it seem like there are a number of install DVD's that have to be burned, and then installed, but the installer had nothing to partition or erase discs, etc, and it seems very complicated and obtuse . . . but it seems like from what you are saying it might be at least straight-forward, fairly clear, or explained by the choices that the installer offers???? And if one is paying attention it might go smoothly and there might even be a working OS to play with at the end? We just need to set up a boot partition, a main, and a swap . . . and we can do that from within the 9 installer iso?

e.e.p.

You have one media to burn and that's all. The partitioner included (fdisk + bsdlabel) provides the ability to create, destroy, define partitions but not a resizing feature that I suspect is why you mentioned gparted. Installing FreeBSD is quite simple if you did at least a few other OSs installations in the past (especially Linux), but PCBSD is a lot easier to install due to the graphical installer.

[purgatori]

Well, PCBSD has a graphical installer and provides you with a fully featured desktop out of the box. FreeBSD has the text installer (ncurses like) and does not provide a desktop out of the box. But the difference between PCBSD and FreeBSD is mainly the packages installed, so you can transform a plain FreeBSD into a PCBSD like station.



You have one media to burn and that's all. The partitioner included (fdisk + bsdlabel) provides the ability to create, destroy, define partitions but not a resizing feature that I suspect is why you mentioned gparted. Installing FreeBSD is quite simple if you did at least a few other OSs installations in the past (especially Linux), but PCBSD is a lot easier to install due to the graphical installer.

Yep, but PCBSD is not an option in his case, due to the architecture of his CPU.

Anyway, just to be clear: no, FreeBSD will not leave you with a graphical desktop environment at the end of the installation process. You'll have to install one on your own, from the CLI. But yes, if you read the relevant sections of the handbook, and pay attention during install, it shouldn't be too overwhelming.

[este.el.paz]

@fluca1978: OK, thanks for the follow-up and encouragement to move forward. I'm glad to hear that it's a one burn experience . . . .

Anyway, just to be clear: no, FreeBSD will not leave you with a graphical desktop environment at the end of the installation process. You'll have to install one on your own, from the CLI. But yes, if you read the relevant sections of the handbook, and pay attention during install, it shouldn't be too overwhelming.

@purgatori: Thanks again to you for your insights . . . and head's up on installing the DE thru the CLI . . . . I will read first, before trying to install, fighting the impulse to install first, before reading . . . . I'd prefer to have the benefits of the PC-BSD graphical interface . . . .

Anyway, I appreciate the help and introduction to the world of BSD, thanks very much . . . . I'll post back when I've taken the plunge . . .

e.e.p.