Why PCBSD will prevail (and what you can do to help it grow)

[in0xllor]

Hello,

Forget all the features common to other unix/linux distros, PBI is the main reason that will make PC-BSD prevail.
As you know, PBI is similiar to windows EXE instalation files - in that way, PBI packages are self-contained, and do not rely on numerous system dependancies.

The word is: Make it simple.

More people will use this OS, it will not be difficult to install a program, so many windows users will also feel confortable, specially those with no experience on this kind of environments.

To get more support for our system we need to "mount" a kind of marketing campaign.

I suggest whenever you make a PBI or need one to contact the creator of that program or the manufacter of that product. (You may use the examples as templates.)

__________________________________________________ ___________

EXAMPLE 1
=======
I am a PC-BSD user (a OS built on the FreeBSD operating system). PC-BSD has a PBI system - which lets users download and install their applications in a self-extracting & installing format, similar to InstallShield® on Windows®.

I've managed to create a PBI for your product which I send (see attachment).
There is also a PBI creator (see useful links), I ask you for in the future to release your products in this format. It will make them avaiable faster to our community and so more people will use them.

Useful links
-------------
http://www.pcbsd.org (main site)
http://www.pbidir.com (pbi repository) -> you may download pbi creator there

__________________________________________________ ____________

EXAMPLE 2
=======
I recently bought your product (ex.: a graphic video card), which has a great support and drivers for windows XP. But I am also a user of PC-BSD
(a OS built on the FreeBSD operating system).

In order to get the most of your product, I would like to have drivers avaiable for this OS.

PC-BSD has a PBI system - which lets users download and install their applications in a self-extracting & installing format, similar to InstallShield® on Windows®.
It would be easy to make them avaiable in your site, because there is also a PBI creator avaiable (see useful links).

Useful links
-------------
http://www.pcbsd.org (main site)
http://www.pbidir.com (pbi repository) -> you may download pbi creator there.
__________________________________________________ ___________


In our "marketing campaign", the objective is to make publicity this feature of PC-BSD, and to inform manufacters all over the world that there is a free alternative OS as easier as Windows, where their products may find a place. (Just don't forget to be polite)

Our community will be great.

--
Best Regards

[gnutux]

I find that PBIs has one problem, it's bulky like the Windows way to install stuff. Like please use some dependency, it's not going to kill you. For example, the pbi system should search for the required library, if it's not there, then install it for you instead of installing duplicates. Some ppl value their disc space like me. If you do this, I say it would be the perfect installation system anyone can think of.

gnutux

[pcbsdusr]

I already thought about a way to share stuff like that and avoid breaking apps. Solarin has my doc. :wink:

[TerryP]

Personally I think PBI's are good for things your just to lazy to compile your self.

Or those that are just big frigging peices of program! (Like Open Office).

[Charles]

Personally I think PBI's are good for things your just to lazy to compile your self.

You're tough here. I have used FreeBSD for a few years but I have never liked compiling.

There are also tons of other reasons not to compile (not knowing how it works, not knowing about it, compilation problems, restricted time, etc...)

[in0xllor]

I agree with Charles.

In order for an OS to be wide useable, it must have simple ways to interact with users.
If one works in a medium/large company, time is money! So installing/unistalling a program should be a question of "just clicking".
I am not saying compiling is to be extinct, but users, specially newbies, should have an easier way to use an OS.

One may ask: Why should I move from windows XP, where I rarely have to go to the command console, to another system, where to do some tasks I have to lose hours and hours searching in forums?
Most people don't use linux or freebsd because of the complexity of doing simple stuff. Although Windows costs money, they will eventualy regain it by not spending time.

Note: I am not defending Windows. But I'd surely like PC-BSD to be a very user-frienldy free alternative!

Manufacters will eventualy release drivers/support for the most used OS. By importing some of Windows XP characteristics, PC-BSD will grow and be wide accepted.

[Amigamerlin]

Hello,

Forget all the features common to other unix/linux distros, PBI is the main reason that will make PC-BSD prevail.
As you know, PBI is similiar to windows EXE instalation files - in that way, PBI packages are self-contained, and do not rely on numerous system dependancies.

The word is: Make it simple.

More people will use this OS, it will not be difficult to install a program, so many windows users will also feel confortable, specially those with no experience on this kind of environments.

To get more support for our system we need to "mount" a kind of marketing campaign.

I suggest whenever you make a PBI or need one to contact the creator of that program or the manufacter of that product. (You may use the examples as templates.)

Completely agree!!! I always wrote this !! This respect the way that newbie look at PC-BSD.

__________________________________________________ ___________

EXAMPLE 1
=======
I am a PC-BSD user (a OS built on the FreeBSD operating system). PC-BSD has a PBI system - which lets users download and install their applications in a self-extracting & installing format, similar to InstallShield® on Windows®.

I've managed to create a PBI for your product which I send (see attachment).
There is also a PBI creator (see useful links), I ask you for in the future to release your products in this format. It will make them avaiable faster to our community and so more people will use them.

Useful links
-------------
http://www.pcbsd.org (main site)
http://www.pbidir.com (pbi repository) -> you may download pbi creator there

__________________________________________________ ____________

EXAMPLE 2
=======
I recently bought your product (ex.: a graphic video card), which has a great support and drivers for windows XP. But I am also a user of PC-BSD
(a OS built on the FreeBSD operating system).

In order to get the most of your product, I would like to have drivers avaiable for this OS.

PC-BSD has a PBI system - which lets users download and install their applications in a self-extracting & installing format, similar to InstallShield® on Windows®.
It would be easy to make them avaiable in your site, because there is also a PBI creator avaiable (see useful links).

Useful links
-------------
http://www.pcbsd.org (main site)
http://www.pbidir.com (pbi repository) -> you may download pbi creator there.
__________________________________________________ ___________

Man, Impressive job !! I suggest to use this example as template !! Personally I'll do this. .

In our "marketing campaign", the objective is to make publicity this feature of PC-BSD, and to inform manufacters all over the world that there is a free alternative OS as easier as Windows, where their products may find a place. (Just don't forget to be polite)

Our community will be great.

--
Best Regards

COMPLETELY AGREE AGAIN!!!

[Amigamerlin]

Originally Posted by TerryP

Personally I think PBI's are good for things your just to lazy to compile your self.

You're tough here. I have used FreeBSD for a few years but I have never liked compiling.

There are also tons of other reasons not to compile (not knowing how it works, not knowing about it, compilation problems, restricted time, etc...)

Charles, fully agree with you too !!

mmmm... too much agree for today
Bye

[Charles]

And our target market is the regular user who represents 90% of the market maybe. So there is a huge potential in PC-BSD

Make it dirt simple and people will use it...

[Malacoda]

Hi All,

I am pretty much the 'noob' your referring to... and all I can say it all of the above comments are dead on - if you're looking to appeal to the largest segment of PC users that is.

I'm quite comfortable w/ windows in terms of use, knowing my away around, low to moderate troubleshooting, etc. - and it's all GUI based.

I got tired of cost and control MS seems to be pushing on people so I went to dual boot about 6 months ago to try linux and ween myself of windows.

Anyhow, after researching, browsing forums, trying live CDs, and 'tasting' a few distros thru installs, I settled on Ubuntu and the soon after switched to Kubuntu.

Why kubuntu? Because when I found out how similar KDE was to many of the core MS apps regular Joe users need I felt very at home with it. Konqueror was just like IE and windows explorer only combined so it was all in one place. Kmail was just like Outllook - email, contacts, calendar - all in one place. I couldn't have felt more comfortable (While I was able to find my way around the Gnome DE under Ubuntu it wasn't as 'familiar' and was taking more time than I had to grow accustomed to it.

Thing is, while the lazy side of me like the package manager - Adept - the busy parent w/ 3 teenage children and 2 jobs didn't. If I select an install from the adept and it goes well it's great. But if it doesn't - or if I want to install something not in the repositories and have to do it from a source website - then I hate the time and hassle of installing dependencies... having to spend hours or days gathering info from forums when I run into issues and have to troubleshoot dependency issues (or other issues), etc.

On the other hand, if an app package is whole and complete so all I have to do is download it and install it - or uninstall it when I no longer want it - and everything I need is there (or removed) I'm good to go. It's just like the windows installs I'm used to...

This is one of the things that has helped me to decide to give PC-BSD a try (I have burnt the CD and intend to install tomorrow). A PBI install may take a few more mouseclicks than an package manager install - and take up a bit more HD space if there are repetitions among different apps - but the time it will save me in learning, usage, and troubleshooting is definitely worth the extra clicks and space. It will allow me to still 'feel comfortable and 'at home' as well as let me learn 'ports' and command line type interact at my own pace - versus in a hurried panic when a crisis evolves and I HAVE to get back up and running in order to do work or access email and so on...

Enough blabbering... all I can say is stick the the path your on and the initial intent/vision PC-BSD had and this OS will do great!

Can't wait to try it out!