I've been evaluating OpenBSD as a desktop system while learning about it on my lesser (older) hardware. I've learned a lot and will continue to learn about OpenBSD but I don't think it will work as my primary desktop.
Based on what I've learned here on Misc, I'd like to start a discussion about extending the answer to the OpenBSD FAQ # 1.10: "Can I use OpenBSD as a Desktop System?" While of course every potential new user has to evaluate OpenBSD for themselves, we could and I believe we should point out some of the more common tripping points found by people who end up not choosing OpenBSD for their desktop. As it exists right now it reads: # >8-- This question is often asked in exactly this manner -- with no explanation of what the asker means by "desktop". The only person who can answer that question is you, as it depends on what your needs and expectations are. While OpenBSD has a great reputation as a "server" operating system, it can be and is used on the desktop. Many "desktop" applications are available through packages and ports. As with all operating systems decisions, the question is: can it do the job you desire in the way you wish? You must answer this question for yourself. It might be worth noting that a large amount of OpenBSD development is done on laptops. # >8-- I think the following paragraphs would enhance the FAQ to provide the person new to the OpenBSD focus a heads up on some of the difficulties. # >8-- However, it is also worth noting that some desktop needs and uses are incompatible with the focus of OBSD. There are currently no video cards that provide full specs to create open drivers for all hardware function, most notibly 3D accelleration. While more than adequate for most uses of the X-Window system, performance while watching movies, playing games, or graphic design, may be suboptimal or not possible depending on your hardware and expectations. The use of binary "blob" drivers would introduce the potential for unknown security breaches and is not going to be supported on OpenBSD. The work is ongoing in the larger open-source community to both create open-source drivers that can access the full hardware potential of the video cards that are available, and there is some work to create new video cards that will be fully open and high performance. It just doesn't exist yet. Similarily, flash plugins in browsers cause untested code to run on the computer and introduce the potential for unknown security breaches, and are therefore not supported, other than as it already exists for the Opera browser. It depends therefor on what is meant by "desktop". System administrators will likely be thrilled with OpenBSD on their desktop. However, a home user wanting an entertainment centre, a movie editor, a graphic designer, or a user requiring a multi-headed Computer Aided Drafting and Design system may find the tradeoffs made for security are too steep to use OpenBSD as their operating system on such computers and may choose to use a less secure operating system. # >8-- Does this seem like a fair addition? Doug.
