At the behest of the PCMech LIVE audience (particularly Kyle), I downloaded the latest version of PC-BSD. This is not a Linux distribution. As the title of the OS says in plain view, it’s a BSD based UNIX. In this instance, FreeBSD based.

Obviously UNIX can work on the desktop. Ask any Mac OS X user. But I digress.

PC-BSD is a rather large operating system. The 32-bit flavor requires at least two CDs (and optionally a third), or one DVD. 64-bit flavor is DVD only. While it’s true you could use "boot-only" versions, most people would opt for the full OS.

PC-BSD also requires a fair amount of computing horsepower just to run it. The recommended system requirements in its own documentation suggest a Pentium 4 or higher with 512MB RAM, 12GB free hard drive space, network card, sound card and 3D accelerated NVIDIA or Intel video card.

For those interested in the bare minimum, those requirements are a Pentium II, 256MB RAM and 6GB free hard drive space, network card and sound card. But I wouldn’t recommend anybody with system specs that low to run PC-BSD.

The installation procedure was painless. It’s no more difficult or easy than installing just about any Linux distribution.

The default desktop environment is KDE. In Linux/UNIX circles concerning the desktop you’re either a GNOME or KDE type of user (or a super-lightweight environment like Fluxbox). I personally prefer GNOME, but I’m not turned off by the way KDE does things; it’s just a different type of environment compared to GNOME.

Getting apps for PC-BSD can be accomplished by going to www.pbidir.com. On the default desktop this is labeled as "Download PBIs", like this:

You will notice up front that the apps available for PC-BSD are not as extensive as what’s in the file repositories for Linux distributions. This does not make UNIX a bad choice for a desktop OS, but it is important to know that you won’t have access to as many applications.

You will notice that while the apps are less to choose from, what’s available for PC-BSD is what matters more to the people that use it. Moreover, all the apps work and usually have commentary next to each from PC-BSD users expressing any thoughts or concerns about it (this information is valuable, believe me.)

PBI files act similar to EXE files in the Windows environment in the respect you just download one file, run that one file and it installs the app.

For example, I downloaded the Firefox web browser from pbidir.com. On first run, I got prompted for my user password (typical in UNIX/Linux environment), and then this is what I see:

What can I say? Cool! This is easy. Download one file, run it, install the app. No .tar.gz files to deal with. No repository crapola. No compiling necessary. Download and go. It’s all automatic. Very nice.

When done, it tells you what menu entry it made (Ubuntu doesn’t do that).

The KDE environment is easy enough to use. In fact there’s something in it that was removed from Windows:

Note the little "2". That tells you how many instances of an app is running. This is in Windows XP. It is not in Vista or Windows 7 RC. It’s little things like this that make for a convenient desktop environment. Every desktop environment on every OS should have this, period.

The best part about PC-BSD is actually its manual. This is one of the best-written guides I’ve seen for an operating system – any operating system. It explains in very plain English how to do things, both what you can and moreover cannot do. This is truly a user’s manual, not that "thing written by a programmer that’s impossible to understand."

A UNIX manual that’s actually helpful? Yeah, I didn’t believe it either until I read PC-BSD’s.

A good example is section 6.2.1 Folder hierarchy. The guide actually tells you what every directory PC-BSD uses actually means in simple easy terms.

Now I will admit the guide isn’t 100% complete, but I’d say it’s at least 98% of the way there. Fortunately all the important stuff you’d need to know is written in detail.

Are there any major differences between Linux and UNIX on the desktop?

The keyword part of the question above is "on the desktop".

On the desktop, you’re not really going to see any major drastic differences from a Linux distribution to UNIX.

But as for the "guts" of the OS, that’s where you encounter things that happen differently.

You will notice that the way FreeBSD/PC-BSD handles things is a bit (gasp) Windows-ish. But I don’t consider that a bad thing. For example, the Services Manager (see section 12.2 of the PC-BSD guide). This is essentially the same as Services in Windows in the way it acts. Pick a service, start it, stop it, restart it, enable/disable startup, do whatever. It’s easy.

In fact, you will notice that the way BSD does things overall just seems to make more sense. And I’m not even referring to the Windows-like stuff here. Things in the OS are done in such a way where you say, "Wow, I can understand this. This is useful to me."

See for yourself at http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books/handbook/ and you decide. In all seriousness, it truly is an easy read.

Interested in running a UNIX home server that acts like a desktop?

I can say with certainty that PC-BSD would definitely fit the bill if that’s what you’re looking for. The installation asks up front whether you want to have a desktop or server type system in a friendly way. Most of you interested in UNIX would probably want to use it for server duty.

Even though PC-BSD is a friendly UNIX, bear in mind it does not have as many applications available compared to popular Linux distributions. It also does not come with codecs for playing DVDs or anything else that would require special licensing. Yes, you could configure it to do so if determined enough, but it does require some effort to get it to work.

If you want the frills, goodies and more apps, you’re better off with a Linux distribution.

But for rock-solid FreeBSD UNIX reliability in a friendly desktop environment, it’s tough to beat PC-BSD.

I especially recommend PC-BSD to those who tried a BSD before and absolutely hated it. This time around I’m sure you’ll like it a whole lot better.

Would you consider running UNIX over Linux?

Or are you running a BSD based UNIX now? Let us know in the comments what you think.

From DesktopLinux.com: "gOS Cloud can boot in seconds, into a barebones browser-based environment not unlike the locked-down "kiosk" set-ups at libraries and cafes everywhere. Yet, here, the browser has taken on OS-like features, such as the familiar Mac OS X-like application dock shown in the screenshot below."

You’ve used several locked-down forced environment (i.e. "kiosk") systems and probably didn’t even realize it.

A few examples:

• Automated Teller Machines (a.k.a. the "ATM")
• Video game consoles
• Cell phones
• The menu system for DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon, etc.

All that stuff is kiosk-style.

The good

With a proprietary OS environment, operation and apps are all supposed to work optimally.

Any kiosk-style system is designed with speed first, "fluff" second (this is good).

It’s a Linux distro so you can get into the "guts" of the OS easily.

The bad

There is a such a thing as "too much cloud". If it ever gets to the point where the OS simply will not function without internet, that’s not good.

The reality

gOS states on their web site:

Cloud allows users to switch to the main operating system with a single click, or just power off.

If you’re already using Windows or Linux, what’s the point of even using it then other than boot-up speed?

I think it’s a safe bet to say most people (including beginners) would prefer a "full" OS like Windows or Linux instead of a forced environment.

Incidentally, this is why many people jailbreak iPhones. When you force users into a controlled environment, that’s not the true spirit of computing – and people will find ways to break the chains every time.

When it comes to buying most software, you typically have the option of either going to a brick and mortal store and purchasing it or ordering it online. Obviously, going to the store gives you immediate gratification over ordering online, however more and more popular software titles are being offered online with the buy and download option.

When you buy and download, you get even more immediate gratification as you don’t have to go to the store, you just start a download. Not only does this save you time and gas, but often times the price is lower. This makes sense for software vendors because there is virtually no cost for distributing software via download when compared to producing packaging and shipping boxed software. If you need the manuals, these are usually either included with the download or are readily available on the vendor’s site. Additionally, you can burn the download to a CD or DVD to have a backup.

So the next time you purchase software see if immediate download is an option. Not only might it save you some money, but it is environmentally friendly as well.

If you print anything to paper, you inevitably end up with wasted pages such as those with only a graphic, legal jargon or the annoying “nothing but a URL”. Additionally, if you print maps and other one time use items, once you are done using it what now?

Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t print in the first place… use a PDF printer where you can.
• Print on the back. Just load the paper used paper into your tray upside down and the printer won’t know the difference.
• Recycle it.
• Use it for ‘quick notes’. For example, I use the back of printed pages at work to scribble down phone messages or for taking notes on a call. This beats using a notebook.
• If it is important, file it away.

These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I would love to hear them.

Before reading this article, check out the video below (or at least watch the first 1 minute of it).

All major operating systems have a way of making multiple virtual screens (even Windows XP with Virtual Desktop Manager from the PowerToys set).

The idea of one continuous scrolling desktop seems like a good idea. And in fact it is. This is most likely what will happen to desktop environments in the future. Since we all have computers powerful enough to run full 3D-accelerated environments (ask any Linux user that uses Compiz), the idea of a “360″ desktop is a sound one.

I downloaded and tried out 360desktop.

There were a few immediate things that bothered me:

1. I couldn’t choose my own panorama image (what good is a GUI if you can’t use your own wallpaper?)
2. The panorama image only worked on one of my two monitors (I have a dual-screen setup).
3. The animation was choppy.

I can see the potential of how this could become the Next Big Thing in the future. After all, it is in fact easier to have a scrolling desktop with your own marked points rather than be forced into specific screens.

Want to try out 360desktop and see what you think? Go ahead. It works on both XP and Vista. See what you think of it.

[Via: Lifehacker]

There are numerous choices in operating system to run on your computer. Most use Windows. Others use Linux. Others (like myself) use a Mac. However, one thing is abundantly clear: our computing lives are moving online.

Speaking for myself, it is my web browser (Firefox) which is always open. It is the first program I start when I boot up. I use Gmail for my email. I use Google Apps for managing my time (Calendar in conjunction with Remember the Milk). My entire business is online.

Continued

Would you believe me if I told you that 70% of Linux kernel development is performed by PAID employees in commercial enterprise? It’s true.

If you’re a Linux user, does that make you mad? Does that make you hang your head in shame?

It shouldn’t.

Personally speaking I was really happy to discover this. It means that big-biz has a definite interest in keeping Linux alive and productive in enterprise environments. It ensures that Linux as a whole will stick around for a very long time.

By nature, Linux fans are very anti-corporate. Purists want absolutely nothing to do with corporate initiatives and would rather have everything as a strict volunteer unpaid effort.

Big-biz has spoken otherwise. People are getting paid for Linux development and it’s far outweighing the volunteer effort.

Get used to it.