Free BSD power pack 4.2

[Tobias_kind]

Ok I have a lot of questions about free bsd, First I tried to install and after a few trys I could only get 256 colors. I chose the right video card riva TNT2 with 64 megs of ram... Why is this ? What Xwindows destop is the best. I want to be able to work on pictures I currently use paint shop pro 7 (Win Me)I also want to be able to surf the net, I would like to be able to to use my burner. I have a HP usb scanner, a phillips usb web cam,a poloroid digital camrea that connectes to the serial port, I would like to be able to use them but no biggie if i cant. My mother board is FIC AZ11E with 1000mhz AMD rivia TnT2 64meg APG video card. maxtor 20 gig hard drive. 256megs of pc133 64megs pc100 and 128megs of pc100. I would also like to know how to update drivers if you could point me to a good web page in english about drivers (or what ever there called in linux) I'm newbie can ya tell
I also have a IBM ps/2 386 I think? that I would like to run some kind of linux on to learn commands any Ideas ?
Thanks

[Statica]

First off, why are you running BSD at all if these are your system specs. In general, I have seen a lot of people choose the wrong OS. An OS is the basis of doing what you want to do effectively! In essence, it is my humble opinion that you are using the wrong OS.

BSD, inherently is used for a network/server OS, it is a real bad "gizmo" OS, nor is it a very good graphics OS. From your system specs, and your periferals I would assume that you need more of a desktop from your computer, hence why not go with a desktop OS.

The newer flavors of Linux are top notch as a desktop OS, and a bit grudgingly even Windows (even though stability is an issue as well). If all you need is exposure to a true POSIX (or UNIX-like) environment then I would highly recommend Linux (Statutory warning: USB capabilities are infantile in Linux, although my devices work without a prob, there are reports of problems). If you need a graphix/multimedia oriented environment on your x86, BeOS is worth the cost.

In essence, I'd urge you to sit and examine what you are going to be doing with the computer, and look at the compatible devices.

For linux, you can go to Linux Hardware Database or view the hardware compatiblity lists from the distribution you will be using.

Hope this helps.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

I agree, Statica. FreeBSD thinks it can be done, but all they're doing is porting stuff over from Linux, from what I can tell.

AND their documentation sucks. you'll notice that when I mention BSD, it's usually NetBSd or OpenBSD that I'm talking about.

hmmmm, from what I read in the original post, it seems that the user is confused and thinks that FreeBSD is actually a version of Linux...or am I reading it incorrectly?

one thing, though....USB has been up and running on BSD for quite a while, and it's very stable(from what I hear), but I'm thinking that's pertaining to OpenBSD/NetBSD....

however, I disagree on one point. there are areas where Linux gives NT/2000 a run for its money as far as instability is concerned....of course, you can usually fix the offending package/app/whatever with a recompile, an update, configuring your system correctly or just switching to another similiar package(if available).

Tobias_kind:

you're running a version back, with more or less cutting edge equipment.
upload your XF86Config and lets see if it's an easy problem, but I would suggest you try XF86 4.1.0....although, I'm having a problem with it. is it just me, or did they move from 4.0.x to 4.1.x awfully fast? I guess it will work with everything again at 4.3.x? OpenBSD 2.9 has this awful 3.3.6/4.1.x hybrid thing going, terrible.

there seems to be a port of cdrecord available, for your cdr.

there really is no inferior desktop for anything, except resources. they all have their good points and their bad points...why don't you try them out?

the 386 is a bad idea....and there used to be major issues with MCA, if it's an MCA PS/2 system(I never kept up with IBM's models). I'm assuming that they've resolved most of the issues, but you really have to wonder how many of the default install kernels have MCA support compiled in...don't even think Mandrake.

but, it really all comes down to a RAM issue...if it has 4M or more, you should be able to install some form of Linux or BSD on it....but, I would really think about Minix. hehehe, minix. I believe Minix-vmd runs X, though.

to update "drivers", you're most likely going to have to update your kernel.

seriously, listen to Statica...you'll be a lot happier with the outcome, unless you feel like taking a crash course in BSD 101. at least you can fall back on X in the Red Hat/Mandrake distributions of Linux.

[Tobias_kind]

Thanks for the help. I bought Free Bsd so I could teach myself Linux. I am currently downloading BeOs5 personal edition to see if I like it or not. I would really like to learn linux BeOs is not linux but it might might be fun to play with. What linux is a good start for the newbie. also I would like to find a web site that has linux exercises that would take you step by step, something like 1.make a folder (from the command line) 2. create a text file to save in the folder 3.find the text file in Xwindows. Is there any thing like that ?

[Great_One]

if you want to learn linux, get a linux distro, free bsd is not linux.

http://www.linuxnewbie.org