The full platforms description.

The full platforms description.

The list of supported laptops. See also laptop section in the handbook.

List of supported hardware.

The text installer displays dialog windows (like the NetBSD installer).

FreeBSD installation:

• toproste.net,
• YouTube,
• Installing FreeBSD 4,5,6 and 7.

• All (everything),
• Developer (full sources, binaries, documentation, no games),
• X-Developer (full sources, binaries, documentation, X-Window, no games),
• Kern-Developer (full binaries, documentation, kernel sources),
• X-Kern-Developer (full binaries, documentation, kernel sources, X-Window),
• User (binaries, documentation),
• X-User (binaries, documentation, X-Window),
• Minimal (the smallest possible installation),
• Custom (you choose what you need).

The most important component of ports are makefiles. They determine from download sources, instruct how to compile the sources, create binary packages from them and finally install programs.

In order to install software you just need to enter a correct directory and type # make install (eg. if you want to install ratpoison window manager just enter the following code: # cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/ratpoison/; make install ).

Compiling programs gives the ability to tweak all possible options. However big programs like KDE, GNOME or OpenOffice.org require long time to compile (and lots of other resources like RAM memory and disk space). In such cases precompiled binary packages are helpful. In both cases dependencies are automatically resolved. To install a package, simply type # pkg_add -r package_name (eg. # pkg_add -r ratpoison, to install ratpoison window manager).

Regular ports updating is very important. There are two programs for updating ports: cvsup and faster and safer portsnap. Portsnap can be also used for ports installation.

FreeBSD ports system is very complex, so we're not going to describe it here in detail. More information can be found in the handbook and in the manuals man ports, man portsnap. There are two very useful supplemental tools: Portupgrade for ports and packages updating Portmanager for ports management.

Precompiled binary packages do not give us such flexibility, but installation time is much shorter (installing ratpoison is as simple as # pkg_add -v ratpoison, provided that PKG_PATH variable is set). In both cases, dependencies are automatically resolved. Pkgsrc is of course a multiplatform application.

Pkgsrc installation time can be shortened by downloading and unpacking pkgsrc.tar.gz file (current version) or pkgsrc-2008Q1.tar.gz file (stable version) to /usr. Regular pkgsrc updating is important.

See how to compile kernel, to gain maximum performance, shorten booting time and remove support of redundant devices. More information in the handbook chapter that describes kernel compilation.

See popularity of BSD flavors on Wikipedia.

See popularity of BSD flavors on Wikipedia.

There is also the TrustedBSD Project, which focuses on the extensions that boost FreeBSD security and which are necessary for getting the Common Criteria certificate. TrustedBSD components are:

• access control lists,
• event auditing and OpenBSM,
• extended attributes and UFS 2,
• fine-grained capabilities,
• GEOM cryptographic framework,
• mandatory access control,
• OpenPAM,
• security-enhanced BSD (SEBSD) — SELinux-like tool.

Security related chapters from FreeBSD's handbook:

• 3.3 Permissions,
• Chapter 14 Security,
• Chapter 15 Jails,
• Chapter 16 Mandatory Access Control,
• Chapter 17 Security Event Auditing,
• Chapter 19 GEOM: Modular Disk Transformation Framework.

Some interesting comparisons between FreeBSD and other systems in terms of security can be found on Wikipedia: Comparison of operating systems (security). And here are the FreeBSD security statistics created by the well-respected Secunia company.

One can activate CGD (CryptoGraphic Disk Driver), to enable encryption of data transfer when writing and reading from HDD. More information can be found in guide and in Inside NetBSD's CGD article. A combination of CGD and Vnode Disk Driver called CGF (CryptoGraphicFile) is also possible to set up. This can be useful for notebook systems.

Additionally there is a possibility to use a sysjail tool which is designed to be close FreeBSD jails replacement.

Some interesting comparisons between NetBSD and other systems in terms of security can be found in the Wikipedia entry: Comparison of operating systems (security). And here are the NetBSD security statistics by Secunia. Many NetBSD's security features is described in Recent Security Enhancements in NetBSD article.

• Skype,
• RealPlayer,
• Flash plugin,
• Win32 codecs,
• libdvdcss,
• True type fonts,
• Java, pakiety,
• ntfsprogs,
• NVIDIA (ports): Driver, Control Panel, Xconfig.
• Unix Drivers

• Skype,
• RealPlayerGold,
• RealPlayer codecs for MPlayer,
• Firefox RealPlayer plugin,
• Firefox Flash plugin,
• Opera Flash plugin,
• Win32 codecs,
• libdvdcss — DVD,
• MS True Type fonts,
• NTFS support,
• NVIDIA driver.
• JRE 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,
• JDK 1.3, 1.4, 1.5,
• JRE 1.5 scsl,
• JDK 1.5 scsl.

• PCMCIA Cardbus devices,
• PCI,
• PCMCIA.

Guide Using WaveLAN IEEE under NetBSD. Wireless networking — WiFi drivers. Compare wireless drivers.