PC-BSD is a Unix-like, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD. It aims to be easy to install by using a graphical installation program, and easy and ready-to-use immediately by providing KDE as the default, pre-installed graphical user interface. PC-BSD also provides official binary nVidia and Intel drivers for easy hardware acceleration and an optional 3D desktop interface through CompizFusion. PC-BSD also contains a unique package management system which allows users to graphically install pre-built software packages from a single downloaded executable file. In August 2006 it was voted the most beginner friendly operating system by OSWeekly.com.[1] Since October 10, 2006 PC-BSD has been supported by the enterprise-class hardware solution provider iXsystems.[1] In November 2007, iXsystems entered into a distribution agreement with Fry's Electronics whereby Fry's Electronics stores nationwide carry boxed copies of PC-BSD version 1.4 (Da Vinci Edition).[2] In January 2008, iXsystems entered into a similar agreement with Micro Center.[3]
History
| Version |
Release date |
FreeBSD codebase |
| 1.0 |
April 29, 2006 |
6.0 |
| 1.1 |
May 29, 2006 |
6.1 |
| 1.2 |
July 12, 2006 |
6.1 |
| 1.3 |
December 31, 2006 |
6.1 |
| 1.4 |
September 24, 2007 |
6.2-STABLE |
| 1.4.1.x |
Various |
6.3-PRERELEASE |
| 1.5 |
March 12, 2008 |
6.3-STABLE |
| 1.5.1 |
April 23, 2008 |
6.3-STABLE |
| 7.0 |
2008 |
7.0 |
From 7.0 version, PC-BSD will follow the same numeration as FreeBSD. PC-BSD 7.0 will exclusively use KDE4.1.
Originally PC-BSD only supported i386, however support was added in version 1.5 for AMD64[4].
Package management
PC-BSD's package management system takes a different approach to installing software than many other Unix-like operating systems. Instead of using the ports tree directly (although it is still optionally available), PC-BSD uses files with the .pbi filename extension which, when double-clicked, brings up an installation wizard program. An autobuild system tracks the FreeBSD ports collection and generates new PBI's daily. The generated PBI's are maintained at the PC-BSD software repository.
All software packages and dependencies are installed in their own self-contained directories in /Programs, decreasing confusion about where the binary programs reside and reducing the possibility of breaking a package if system libraries are upgraded or changed. The PC-BSD package manager also takes care of creating links in the KDE menu and on the KDE desktop.
The PC-BSD project claims its style of package management, which is similar to that of major operating systems such as Microsoft Windows, is simpler than that of other Unix-like systems.
License
Since the GNU General Public License (GPL) conflicts with BSD license ideology, a common point of criticism from the BSD community about PC-BSD originally was that its code was licensed under the GPL—while most open source BSD descendants license exclusively under the BSD license. The GPL was originally used because the PC-BSD project uses the Qt toolkit for its interface development and the developers were under the impression that applications using the Qt toolkit must be licensed under the GPL or the QPL. This is, however, untrue and the PC-BSD project later relicensed its code under a BSD-like license.
References
- ^ "The Most Beginner Friendly OS". Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
- ^ "iXsystems Announces Distribution Agreement with Fry's Electronics". Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ "Micro Center carries PC-BSD!". Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ "PC-BSD 1.5 Press Release". Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
See also
External links
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