After the flood of Fedora Core 6 and Ubuntu 6.10 reviews, here is a review of PC-BSD 1.3 Beta. "PC-BSD has improved quite a bit and the use of its open-source PBI packaging system is a great idea. Although it obviously means there might be a minor delay in newly released products being ported over to the PBI package system, novice users will rejoice because the wait is well worth it. PC-BSD is a well oiled machine with its quick response times, even if you don't have that much memory in your system. Its implementation of a clean interface is welcomed by me and not having a 3D enabled desktop is not something I really would worry about unless you are an eye-candy lover."
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Member since:2005-06-29
NO easy way to install FLASH(even flash 7)
NO easy way to install java though i managed before.
On their site a lookup of flash produces a whole
lot of conflicting and wrong advice.
Did you have a look at their software web site? They have all you mentioned (java, flash player). You can install those as easily as on windows and on the mac.
Where did you see "a whole lot of conflicting and wrong advice"?
When you start critisizing without knowing, people start laughing at you.
Member since:2006-08-11
I saw it on their forums dude..
I have been using pc-bsd for a LONG time and am no newbie
so how do I install Java System wide(not just on one version of firefo?)? I mean complete applet and stand-alone. BSD comes with many versions
of java..but not as pbis and most are useless for
the average user..
Here's a thread that gives u a taste
"flash, what are your ways around it?"
another "sign the flash on bsd petition"
another
"add flash to opera ports"
Maybe u see a pattern now?
In some cases using ports linux compatibity
applications is suggested..but is this easy?
I have tried and it is often buggy.
Oh you do know there is firefox 2 and Opera don't you?
I'm sorry if the truth hurts..but I call 'em
as I see 'em
Member since:2006-08-27
Member since:2005-07-24
Member since:2006-10-08
Macromedia doesn't like do publish a free definition of their "Flash" format. That's the problem. I think, thatt there are many developers out there who would love to implement "Flash" plugins and players - but they can't.
Let's take a look on the ports collection (remember, it can be used in PC-BSD like I mentioned before):
graphics/flashplayer - GPL standalone Flash (TM) player
graphics/libflash - GPL Flash (TM) Library
www/flashplugin - An implementation of Macromedia Flash plugin for Netscape
www/flashplugin-mozilla - A GPL standalone Flash (TM) plugin for Mozilla web browser
www/linux-flashplugin7 - Adobe Flash Player NPAPI Plugin
www/xpi-flashblock - Replaces Flash objects with a button you can click to view them (GOOD IDEA!)
So "no support" isn't correct. Complicated support would be better. :-)
Furthermore, there are some procedures to include "Flash" support in Firefox or Mozilla - these ones are in german, sorry ("mit" = with).
Title: "BSD:Firefox mit Flash-Plugin" - http://wiki.uugrn.org/wiki/BSD:Firefox_mit_Flash-Plugin
Title: "FreeBSD - Mozilla mit Java- und Flashsupport" - http://wiki.unixboard.de/index.php/FreeBSD_-_Mozilla_mit_Java-_und_...
But... why are people so keen about "Flash"? It makes it impossible for disabled (blind) people to even enter a web page or gaining information on what the page is about. (Friendly reminder: "Flash" is no substitute for HTML, kids!) Isn't this stupid? Haven't (yet?) found a need for "Flash" for myself...
Member since:2005-08-11
FreeBSD has a java distribution license, so that is no longer a problem.
Flash remains a problem, but not a showstopper, IMHO, as most flash is annoying.
Nexenta driver support is not any better than FreeBSD's, I've had no problem installing FreeBSD/PC-BSD on any system in my house, but have not had the same luck with Nexenta, could be because it's beta, let's hope so.
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Member since:
2006-08-11
THIS is the bane of BSD systems in general.
NO easy way to install FLASH(even flash 7)
NO easy way to install java though i managed before.
On their site a lookup of flash produces a whole
lot of conflicting and wrong advice.
Opensolaris (nexenta) is straightforward by comparison.
The good news is that gnash is getting near another major release..maybe it will work on bsd..and java will
soon be totally open soursce(maybe).
The bad news is that these are two KEY things needed for a successful desktop and until they are easily installible i will stick to linux and maybe nexenta.
Also amule pbi file was unstable and crashed ..
the pbi quality control seems poor..
Edited 2006-10-31 11:51