Some Simple Questions
Hello, My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. Before I do so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could answer. 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name? 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different opinions. 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? Thank you for your time. Bryan ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
some simple Questions
Hi all, I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. install software: seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name system update: still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the one way to do it. main difference between packages and ports? thanks in adavnce. -Nex6 ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Some Simple Questions
On Sun, Jun 13, 2004 at 09:28:16PM -0700, Spuds wrote: > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no > charge or is FreeBSD just a name? Yes. It's free. You can download it and use it with out worrying about license fees. > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and > commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the > fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different > opinions. SCO are blowing a lot of wind right now, but it's all bark and no bite. Basically the AT&T lawsuit in the early nineties resolved all questions about intellectual proprietary and AT&T Unix code within any of the *BSD family. That has not prevented SCO directors making threats, but then they would, wouldn't they. In any case, FreeBSD is not going to be high on SCO's target list, as there's no money to be wrung out of the FreeBSD organization. For the opinions of a former member of the FreeBSD core team and generally interested party, see: http://people.lemis.com/grog/sco.html > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. If you install the Linux compatability port, you can run most Linux executables directly under FreeBSD. Sometimes the applications even seem to perform better under FreeBSD than they do natively... > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's > cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? Yes, in general. However, laptops are much trickier to deal with than usual desktop style hardware, and getting FreeBSD to run properly on a specific model can be difficult. Check out the [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list as a resource to find out what works and what doesn't. Cheers, Matthew -- Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil. 26 The Paddocks Savill Way PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey Marlow Tel: +44 1628 476614 Bucks., SL7 1TH UK pgpJIDrNl6EpL.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Some Simple Questions
On 13/06/04 21:28 -0700, Spuds wrote: > Hello, > > My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. Before I do > so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could answer. > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no > charge or is FreeBSD just a name? > FreeBSD is completely free and open. It's free to download. Some people, after finding FreeBSD useful choose to buy a boxed set or contribute to freeBSD in the way of talent or money. Whether you choose to do so is totally up to you. > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and > commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the > fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different > opinions. > SCO cannot even affect linux. There is nothing to be afraid of, but if you want to be extra safe about it, there was already a ruling in BSD's favor in the USL_v._BSDi lawsuit: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USL_v._BSDi) > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. Yes it is. > > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's > cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? FreeBSD should run fine on either your desktop or laptop, given that the hardware is supported. > > Thank you for your time. > > Bryan You're welcome, and hopefully I've been useful! :) Cheers, Jason > > ___ > [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Some Simple Questions
[Please read http://www.lemis.com/questions.html] "Spuds" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello, > > My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. Before I > do so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could answer. > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it > at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name? FreeBSD is just a name, however FreeBSD is both free (as in beer) and free (as in speech). > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux > distributors and commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on > Unix? I believe it is the fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not > sure, as I have read many different opinions. Yes. If people continue to pay SCO when threatened, SCO is going to find other people to sue, and FreeBSD is a logical target. No, FreeBSD does not contain any code that SCO would be justified in suing over, but neither does Linux. > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. Yes. Most Linux software will compile natively on FreeBSD. Most that won't compile, can be run under the Linuxulator. Whatever's left can be substituted. > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some > OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? I don't understand this questions, but FreeBSD runs on a number of laptops. Use google to search for "+freebsd +laptop" and you'll find a number of sites dedicated to giving you detailed information. -- Bill Moran Potential Technologies http://www.potentialtech.com ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Some Simple Questions
On Sun, 13 Jun 2004, Spuds wrote: > Hello, Hi Bryan > > My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. Before I do > so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could answer. > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no > charge or is FreeBSD just a name? > Yes Freebsd is truly free. The only way you would have to pay for it is if you bought a CD with it on from somewhere like freebsdmall. If you download it all it costs you is time and bandwidth. > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and > commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the > fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different > opinions. Have a read of http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=3415&page=8 > > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. Some (most ?) Linux apps will run on FreeBSD, see http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/linuxemu.html But most Apps for linux have a native FreeBSD counterpart anyway. > > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's > cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? > I run freebsd 5.2.1 just fine on my Toshiba Tecra 8100. have an ask about specifics on the freebsd-mobile list > Thank you for your time. > Vince > Bryan > > ___ > [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Some Simple Questions
On Sun, Jun 13, 2004 at 09:28:16PM -0700, Spuds wrote: > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can > download it at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name? Yes, it is truly free. You can download it at no charge. > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that > somewhere. Yes, you can run Linux binaries. http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/linuxemu.html > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I > know some OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? FreeBSD runs on laptops. I skipped the SCO question. I've lost interest. Greg Lehey has a comprehensive page on the issue: http://www.lemis.com/grog/sco.html -- Paul. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] pgpxSKq9kmaD9.pgp Description: PGP signature
Re: Some Simple Questions
> > Hello, > > My name is Bryan and I am interested in using FreeBSD on my computer. > Before I do so, I have a couple of questions I was wondering you could > answer. OK. First, because many people on these lists use text based Email readers, please set your Email program to break lines at about 70 characters length or just remember to hit RETURN/ENTER about there. It makes it much easier to read and to respond - and you do want a response, I presume. > 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can >download it at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name? It is free and you may download it freely. Go to the FreeBSD ftp site and download the iso[s], burn the cd[s] and start installing. I would recommend some study and preparation first, though so you know what you are doing.The FreeBSD handbook that can be read on or downloaded from the FreeBSD site is a very good place to start. There are also several good books published.FreeBSD Unleashed and The Complete FreeBSD are a couple of good examples. There are a couple of companies that for a small cost, do the CD burning for you and most package them with a printed copy of the Handbook. This is especially handy if your network connection is not so good. It is also a good option because most of these companies donate a small portion of their receipts to the FreeBSD project. > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux >distributors and commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based >on Unix? I believe it is the fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I >am not sure, as I have read many different opinions. The simple answer is no. FreeBSD and the other current BSDs got their lawsuit issues taken care of more than 10 years ago. But, you can never tell what a loose cannon like SCO or some other company who thinks they can make a killing in court instead of doing real work might try to do. In general, there are no deep pockets in the FreeBSD world, so it is unlikely they will take an interest. There are some rather large companies using FreeBSD, but any claim against them would be even harder to succeed. So, it would appear FreeBSD is fairly safe from harrassment. > 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that >somewhere. Many pieces of software originally built on Linux, can be run on FreeBSD merely by recompiling. There is also a Linux compatibilty library that can be installed which allows most other Linux utilities to run. There will, of course, be some things that are so dependent on Linux that they are better off not being put on FreeBSD, but I believe that number is small. > > 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know >some OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? Sure, it can run on a laptop. It probably depends somewhat on which laptop model you wish to use. There is a hardware compatibility list prepared for each release of FreeBSD that you can read on the FreeBSD web site. Just look for the release over on the right and click on the hardware item. > > Thank you for your time. You are welcome. Enjoy FreeBSD, jerry > > Bryan > ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: Some Simple Questions
On Jun 14, 2004, at 12:28 AM, Spuds wrote: 1) Is FreeBSD truly free, as in I don't have to pay for it and can download it at no charge or is FreeBSD just a name? Yes, FreeBSD is free as in "you don't have to pay for it". You can download .iso images of the CDs to burn yourself for no charge from ftp.freebsd.org or other mirrors from: http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/mirrors- ftp.html 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits against Linux distributors and commercial users, as I am aware that FreeBSD is based on Unix? I believe it is the fact that Linux may have Unix code, but I am not sure, as I have read many different opinions. FreeBSD is Unix, as in derived from the BSD sources. SCO hasn't made any efforts to sue FreeBSD users or the project, and IMO are even less likely to succeed if they tried then they are likely to win their cases against Linux. 3) Is FreeBSD compatible with Linux software? I believe I read that somewhere. Yes, there is Linux binary compatibility support which gives you something close to a RedHat 7 environment. 4) Can FreeBSD run on a laptop that is hardware compatible, as I know some OS's cannot run on laptops but can on desktops? Sure. -- -Chuck ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
RE: Some Simple Questions
From: Spuds > > 2) Is FreeBSD in any way affected by the SCO lawsuits ... What you're asking for is legal advice. No one here will indemnify you if in a perverse travesty of justice SCO does succeed in its goals. You will have to assume the risk yourself. Risk = probability * severity. Probability is something most people have an opinion of. On this list, you are not likely to find many people who think that any ruling regarding FreeBSD (or Linux, for that matter) will favour SCO. Severity is something you can only judge yourself. It would be wrong if SCO were able to successfully make a claim against FreeBSD, but that doesn't make it impossible. -- Danny ___ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
In response to Nex6 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > install software: > seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name packages: use pkg_add -r ports: cd /usr/ports/category/port-name && make install See: http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/ports.html > system update: > still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the > one way to do it. cvsup is the canonical way: http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/cutting-edge.html But stuff like freebsd-upate has streamlined this a lot: http://www.daemonology.net/freebsd-update/ > main difference between packages and ports? Packages are precompiled. Ports are not. Ports can be made into packages, the reverse is not true. See the above link. -- Bill Moran http://www.potentialtech.com ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
On Thu, 2008-03-06 at 10:32 -0800, Nex6 wrote: > Hi all, > > I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. > > install software: > seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/ports.html (you may also have the handbook localy in /usr/share/doc) > > system update: > still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the > one way to do it. have a look at 'man freebsd-update' > > main difference between packages and ports? se handbook above > > > thanks in adavnce. > > > -Nex6 > ___ > freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Nex6 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all, > > I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. > > install software: > seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name There are two ways to install software. Using packages (pkg_add) or using ports. See my response below for details on how to use ports. > system update: > still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the > one way to do it. FreeBSD comes with the source code for the entire system. So, to upgrade the system, you need to do two things: 1. Checkout the source code for whatever update you want to use 2. Compile and install that source code. For the first one, see: http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/cvsup.html For the second one, see: http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/makeworld.html > main difference between packages and ports? Packages are pre-compiled binaries (which are created from the ports). The ports collection contains small Makefiles. When you install from ports, it does the following: 1. Downloads the source code from whatever website it is hosted on. 2. Apply the FreeBSD patches/upgrades/whatever 3. Compile that source code 4. Install the binaries to the proper location > > thanks in adavnce. > ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 2:09 PM, Schiz0 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Nex6 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. > > > > install software: > > seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name > > There are two ways to install software. Using packages (pkg_add) or > using ports. See my response below for details on how to use ports. > > > > system update: > > still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the > > one way to do it. > > FreeBSD comes with the source code for the entire system. So, to > upgrade the system, you need to do two things: > 1. Checkout the source code for whatever update you want to use > 2. Compile and install that source code. > > For the first one, see: > http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/cvsup.html > > For the second one, see: > http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/makeworld.html > > > > main difference between packages and ports? > > Packages are pre-compiled binaries (which are created from the ports). > The ports collection contains small Makefiles. When you install from > ports, it does the following: > 1. Downloads the source code from whatever website it is hosted on. > 2. Apply the FreeBSD patches/upgrades/whatever > 3. Compile that source code > 4. Install the binaries to the proper location > > > > > thanks in adavnce. > > > Ah, something I forgot to add. The only reason the packages system exist is basically to bypass the compile time. For example, it would take a long time to compile things such as OpenOffice, xorg, or KDE. So instead of waiting that long, you can just install the pre-compiled package and it's ready to go. You don't have to wait for it to compile. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
Been reading the FreeBSD handbook, I installed portsnap: ran: portsnap fetch & extract & update then installed portmanager and ran portmanager -u its now updating. thanks, for all the replys, in linux land, you either, use the distros tool (if they have one) or if your on a yum or apt based disrto use that. -Nex6 On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 11:11 AM, Schiz0 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 2:09 PM, Schiz0 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Nex6 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > > > I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. > > > > > > install software: > > > seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name > > > > There are two ways to install software. Using packages (pkg_add) or > > using ports. See my response below for details on how to use ports. > > > > > > > system update: > > > still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems > more the > > > one way to do it. > > > > FreeBSD comes with the source code for the entire system. So, to > > upgrade the system, you need to do two things: > > 1. Checkout the source code for whatever update you want to use > > 2. Compile and install that source code. > > > > For the first one, see: > > http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/cvsup.html > > > > For the second one, see: > > > http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/makeworld.html > > > > > > > main difference between packages and ports? > > > > Packages are pre-compiled binaries (which are created from the ports). > > The ports collection contains small Makefiles. When you install from > > ports, it does the following: > > 1. Downloads the source code from whatever website it is hosted on. > > 2. Apply the FreeBSD patches/upgrades/whatever > > 3. Compile that source code > > 4. Install the binaries to the proper location > > > > > > > > thanks in adavnce. > > > > > > > Ah, something I forgot to add. > > The only reason the packages system exist is basically to bypass the > compile time. For example, it would take a long time to compile things > such as OpenOffice, xorg, or KDE. So instead of waiting that long, you > can just install the pre-compiled package and it's ready to go. You > don't have to wait for it to compile. > ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: some simple Questions
I am new to Freebsd tho, long time Linux/Windows user. install software: seems the way to to this is pkg_add -r software-name system update: still not sure? tho this is probly something really simple, seems more the one way to do it. main difference between packages and ports? files in /usr/ports are rules and patches to build programs from sources, excluding sources (which are downloaded when you type make or make install) ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"