i've RTFM, but still am at a loss as to how to create a openbsd cd from the donwloaded files. they don't provide the iso.
apparently , there's quite a lack of support in this area because they want people to buy their cds instead of burning their own.

in any case, i'm sticking to slack...

Exact the ISOs are copyrighted by the OpenBSD team.
To make your own ISO you need a CD Writing software that can create bootable-cds, then use the file cdromXX.fs, where XX is the version number (ie 30 for 3.0), for the boot image. Include on your CD the base system, it is better to copy this files in /ARCH directory (where ARCH=i386 for example) to have a coorect "layout", making installation easier.
then you can add. Then you can copy whatelse you want on this CD (packages, sources).
Have fun with OpenBSD (You won't come back to Linux...)

Try this article to create OpenBSD CDs on Windows and others:

How to make a bootable OpenBSD CD
http://www.shockley.net/obsd-bootcd.asp

Crypto hero's zedz.net have unofficial iso's on their ftp. IIRC OpenBSD doesn't copyright cd's, but since it's a source of income to them that supports their development (remember they also gave us OpnSSH) I strongly suggest buying one, it ain't expensive. Also take note very recently a local root vulnerability was discovered on OpenBSD 3.0, so you better update some sw right away.

amen to that. just remember your focus... linux users that were happy with the pretty pre-configured window manager and easy 'up2date' and native rpms are usually let down when they get to a BSD os.

But what it was meant to do, it will do better than any linux distro out there. Gotta love it.

what is it meant to do? i am still wondering what openbsd is really for...

ok i read another thread and got my answer... sorry about that.

and thanks for the help...

"technically", they don't copyright CDs, so to say. The CD layout is copyright Theo de Raadt (lead developer). Meaning, distributing ISOs of the OpenBSD release is frowned upon. This is in an effort to get ppl buying CDs and funding the project, like you said. CDs sell for 40$ apiece and if you read through the mailing lists, you'll see that most ppl are _more_ than happy to pay that price for what they get. (Official CDs come with 3 cds (sup't for many different arch's, source, ports tree, packages, stickers, installation guide, and perhaps coolest of all, an mp3 music track on each release. It's pretty cool

try this website: http://www.openbsd.org/items.html#33

It has the cd's already burned for you, plus you get stickers

I personally think OpenBSD is the best OS there is. Its the most secure OS you can get, its open source, its stable, and you can do a lot with it.