Ubuntu Linux is not a good example of a properly working OS. Sure, installation usually runs fine, but when you actually work with it (software updates, different non-native packages, etc.) it quickly becomes a mess where trying to fix a single bug confronts you with the whole machinery of “automation” that is underneath Ubuntu's hood. And yes, there are bugs; more than in Windows. No thanks.
Not in it's entirety but they did some great work to draw attention. I think with a more coherent system like FreeBSD and the "love" they put into Ubuntu it would work a lot better. I find Linux to be like spaghetti code. FreeBSD is much cleaner and more consistent.
Well, I would hope it a bsd version would turn out better than ubuntu. All I'm saying is that what they did in that area bought them mass adoption. Everyone started using it because it was so easy to install. Sure, ubuntu ended up a mess, but it didn't have to be that way.
Something like MacOS, then? This would be impossible without commercial financial support and leadership. And I, for one, don't like the consumerist nature of MacOS at all.
I would argue: Yes, it had to be that way, in the long run. When you target consumerist, non-technical users, what do you expect? And btw: Everyone can become a technical user that can make a contribution, if he or she has the will. If that is not the case, what do you expect from those users except being some sort of cash-cows (like with M$ and Apple)?
Almost everyone I know who currently uses Linux started with one of their distros. I know way back in the day I got a free Kubuntu DVD in the mail. Not saying we should mail out DVDs but they definitely had a draw with it "just works" and making it easier to get into.
I don't like MacOS either. Especially with what it's turning into as of lately. I've tried all of the BSDs. Keep coming back. FreeBSD is where I started with the BSDs and it feels like home, if that makes any sense.
I honestly think some people would just prefer to use something community driven without having to modify configuration files or all of the other things that technical users want. It wouldn't hurt to have the option available. The systems out there that do this, NomadBSD, GhostBSD, etc are nice but they still have the small things that have been mentioned here. I've gotten people using FreeBSD and they like it but to them those little things made all the difference.
When I studied at the university, during the mid 2000s , there was this old lady working as a secretary. She was a completely non-technical person who started her career in the typewriter-era. When the faculty started using IT-systems (a Unix mainframe) she was trained for using a terminal.
I'm not disagreeing but I also think that most people don't care to go through the education need to begin using the terminal when they don't have to. It's education, yes, but also comfort and the current mindset of "I want it now." that societies have fallen into.
I agree that the “I want it now” is some sort of zeitgeist. And I personally enjoy that FreeBSD is decidedly not that way, because it has empowered me in many ways, most importantly along the lines of “Yeah, I can do it! It's not that hard, not on FreeBSD!”
Well, you can start with ports that have no maintainer... but if you want a list, there is one: https://wiki.freebsd.org/IdeasPageWhat ways would you all say would be good to spread the reach of FreeBSD to more users? More users could bring with it more developers and hardware manufacturers. This could mean better hardware support and more software aimed for the OS. Here are my thoughts:
1. Friendlier atmosphere. I've noticed some of the developers and administrators tend to have a negative view and response to users. (You know who you are.).
2. Something like a settings screen. Even a terminal based one to start. Instead of having to go through configuration files or commands and reading man pages. Settings in one location. I know when I first started this took a lot of trial and error.
3. Faster boot times. I know waiting on dhclient has slowed my boot times down and attempting to switch it to run in the background doesn't always seem to work.
Before I hear something along the lines of "If only someone was intrepid enough to work on these things.". Yes, I am aware they need someone to work on them. My thoughts are, if there's a list, I could work on what I can and maybe others who want to can work on what they can.
I don't really see the point. These things are just perfect for 3rd-party distributions
I think there are quite a number of people that don't know about NomadBSD but who have heard of FreeBSD.I don't really see the point. These things are just perfect for 3rd-party distributions
I mean, FreeBSD itself offers anything you need to configure anything you like yourself, one of the points is that it's not "opinionated". And I'd argue those who use "vanilla" FreeBSD want it just that way, at least that's the case for me (using it on both servers and desktops).
What I do agree with is some things could be technically improved for desktops/laptops. IMHO especially the wifi support could really need some love...
I don't agree, and don't think that's a realistic hope for the following reasons:
Excellent point! This is what to expect when attracting users who are not willing/being able to learn before doing.
absolutely agree, I use Slackware too, and FreeBSD having everything working as not everyone uses it for a server only. headphones, bluetooth, usb hot plug, I don't even know if my USB ports work because I don't use them on freebsd, had to burn a stick on my laptop and just deiced to jump out of Freebsd because I don't even know if they work on 13.1 had to do all kinds of editing to get them to work on 12.x so I rebooted into Slackware instead because I already know what to do on Linux
On more important, fundamental aspects so projects like GhostBSD have a solid base to build a desktop experience on or so you have a solid base to build your own desktop experience based on your requirements.
Ubunutu sucks ? I installed there studio version and they're using snap and apt to install apts and I'm like wtf you have to update them indeviually I keep getting messages on that they're a want-a-be Windows version of Linux - the only reason I have it is because the table I have only supports Ubuntu Linux as if that is a good thing. there install is not open source so I cannot even hate it to make it work on something else. That is the thing about them is they have that foot in the door where outside software venders only support Ubuntu Linux and not Linux itself. which sucks because that is the last linux distro I want installed on my laptop.
This is a very personal opinion but I have that thing going on where (at least for private/personal stuff): If I can't get an open-source software to work natively under FreeBSD I don't want to use it anyway as it is either poorly designed/written or it's relying on Linuxism aspects which tend to change more frequently than the British PM.
If I may recommend something to your concerns on audio, wifi and Bluetooth. My suggestion would be to program something that works for you and license it so that others can contribute to your project. If someone else finds it useful then they can use and modify it to make it work how they would like. Waiting on others to do the work doesn't always satisfy what your needs are. That is my suggestion regard to those issues. I'm sure it won't be a very fast solution and you may have people asking what you're working on if it's not to their liking. But you can always recommend they do the same. ?
the same can be said about you and I am a novelty user not a developer that knows the in and out of freeBSD
