Lets just agree that FreeBSD is a great OS.
Next, lets also look at what people saying "GUI" are really saying.
I feel, FreeBSD should be available for anybody who wants a good-great OS. Whether desktop or not.
The issue here is new users tend to be intimidated by the amount of tech stuff you need to do to get a desktop running. Sure, for you and me running a few commands may not be a big deal. But for a user who just wants a graphical OS it is probably too much. And if it involves figuring out why something is not working even after executing some commands handed down from the experienced messiahs, all the more demotivating.
Ok, I know it sounds simple and plain to say, "well, you want XYZ on your system, you just execute following commands and you are done". But for a non-technical user, it is probably akin to climbing Mt Everest.
At a level knowing what you are doing is probably the best thing when you are an administrator on a box serving something important (email, web, whatever). But, when it comes to a user wanting to browse the internet, edit some documents, spreadsheets, movies and listen to favorite music, s/he should be least bothered if some or the other daemon is running or not. Or which version of driver or what type of driver is being used.
I certainly don't think knowing the workings/under-the-hood-stuff is required to use an OS. Also, I don't think not knowing the workings/under-the-hood-stuff should make it difficult for a user. Just as much Jack/Jane care about the internals of engines/transmission, etc. when running his/her favorite car! You can't expect all car owners/drivers to be auto engineers!
just my 2 cents.
@Sfynx
In the GUI, you could've always opened up a terminal and typed "sudo halt<enter>"!