I guess this is not a Linux question technically, but what is the latest stable version of FreeBSD?

4.5

Ok good. I'm downloading it right now. 155 KB/s baby

im downloading too. unfortunately my connection isnt as fast as yours./

What advantages does FreeBSD have over Linux for workstation use?

I downladed the FreeBSD ISO's the other night but have not got around to installing it on one of my spare HDD's.

I am curious about it and would like some constructive feedback.

Thanks

Well don't flame me on this, but i find FreeBSD to be more stable in general use compared to mandrake and the alike. There is alot of advantages i can tell you but the main DISADVANTAGE is no 3d driver support for nvidia cards...yet.

No reason to flame anyone here, we all have OUR OWN opinions.

Thanks for the reply. Can you detail some of the advantages though. I'd appreciate it.

Is the newest any easier to intall than 4.4? because id like to try it out, but im not going to dl it if I cant get it to work(i have a 56k modem) I could never get this 1 cd version I have of it to work, it maybe was a bad copy though. also I was wondering if it supported rpms? and is it close enough to linux that I will be able to use it comfortably at first?

Well the installation program is almost identical. I dont see why you find it hard. Its easy in my eyes to install. I think you did get a bad copy to begin with.

RPM? nope. FreeBSD uses .tgz packages which i find MUCH better than rpms in a few ways, here is the biggies:

* Can be installed from a directory with pkg_add <filename>

* Can be installed from anywhere off of the ftp with pkg_add -r <filename>

* Satifies Dependencies AUTOMATICALLY which saves you time from scavenging through ftp fites.

* Can be looked up easily with pkg_info

* Once installed a package named "xmms" for example. to make a shortcut on the desktop just type "xmms" in the command field. This works for EVERYTHING which i find glorious instead of looking for it everywhere in konquerer or even by the terminal.


Ease of use is slimmed down slightly i admit. But once set up right you will NEVER, i repeat NEVER want to touch linux again, unless your a die hard gamer which needs ogl support which by the way is coming to freebsd very soon. The kernel of FreeBSD 4.5 supports most everything the 2.5.0 Linux kernel supports and yeah it supports NTFS and FAT mounting and whatnot.

Some commands are alittle different and it can be tricky to get at first try. Oh and when you install FreeBSD it will ask you to install a "ports collection" answer yes to get pre-compiled software..over 1000 titles.
Ok, this is what happens here. FreeBSD makes a folder called /usr/ports and in here there is a bunch of catagories like "audio", "print" etc and you just browse to the software title you wish to install and cd into it and type "make install clean distclean" the clean and distclean are optional but we like to keep out systems clean don't we? Of course you can update the entire ports collection via the ftp site from freebsd if you wish.

I haven't got around trying XFree86 4.2.0 with FreeBSD yet but if it does work, then 3d drivers should work too, i won't swear to that though.

Sorry i am bad at typing up big stuff, i hope this sums things up for you.

I know the mods will probably ban me for this but what the heck.