Mastodawn

@mason This has pretty much happened everytime I have tried install FreeBSD for the past two-ish years. Maybe it’s an Intel N100 issue. 🤷 It’s the only device I tried installing it on.

I mainly use RPM based systems for my most of my computing (Nobara for main pc and OpenSUSE for laptop) and Debian/Ubuntu for servers.

@jlw_the_jobber @mason my first several attempts at a workstation running FreeBSD ended with me just installing ghostbsd instead. I really enjoy it as a server is but MAN is it picky to spin up a graphical desktop.

@spaceraser @mason I have tried Ghost and Midnight, but both broke on me. The best BSD success I had was with NomadBSD but my install borked from moving from flashdrive to SSD.

@jlw_the_jobber @mason maybe you’re just allergic?

Mason Loring Bliss Dec 7

@spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber I've only ever used base FreeBSD and I've encountered some absolutely horrific, destructive errors over the years, and certainly desktop use is a challenge, even if it's as good as it's ever been. (There are still a wheelbarrow of issues I could bring up.) Honestly I used to use NetBSD as my desktop in the 90s and I had less pain.

Nowadays, maybe try OpenBSD? It won't get you ZFS and that's a showstopper for me, of course.

What's at the core of your wanting to really try FreeBSD? Maybe there are other ways to scratch the itch.

For me, the perfect OS was Debian before the systemd cult dominated the project. My most common desktop in the house today is Debian on ZFS with sysvinit. The six of us here use it as our primary workstations. We do have two FreeBSD desktops used regularly for various purposes, and it's getting better, but the regular bleeding over it is a challenge.

In the end, use something that gives you pleasure. Life's too short.

@mason @spaceraser I just wanted to play around with something different. I mainly use Linux based OS along with Windows and Mac. So I thought it would be fun to learn along with the other “big 3.”

@jlw_the_jobber @mason I’ve been spoiled by what seems to be universal hardware support in the Linux kernel, and never considered it when I started trying to install FreeBSD on things. I have probably 10+ x86 machines of various vintage in the house and maybe two will run FreeBSD happily.

@spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

Having run Linux 25 years ago, I have a much higher tolerance for incomplete hardware support and other glitches. 😂

Amin, minor deity of the legume realm Dec 7

@rl_dane @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

The first laptop I used Linux on, I had to install a custom kernel to get the keyboard, battery level reporting, and touchscreen working.

Installing an OS without a working keyboard was certainly difficult… since that device had only one USB port so I couldn't both have a live USB and an external keyboard plugged in. Except with my cheap USB hub which only had 2.0 speeds, meaning the install was incredibly slow.

Amin, minor deity of the legume realm Dec 7

@rl_dane @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

Believe it or not, that's the device where I did the bulk of my distro hopping.

@amin @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

Those are the kind of experiences that put hair on your... neck. XD

Amin, minor deity of the legume realm Dec 7

@rl_dane @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

Mmmmm, maybe, if I hadn't left out crucial information:

It was a Micro$oft Surface Laptop.

@amin @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

I recall! Properly cursèd machine!

Amin, minor deity of the legume realm Dec 7

@rl_dane @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface

GitHub - linux-surface/linux-surface: Linux Kernel for Surface Devices

Linux Kernel for Surface Devices. Contribute to linux-surface/linux-surface development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHub

@amin @spaceraser @jlw_the_jobber @mason

Or... just use it as firestarter, or something. ;)

@rl_dane @amin @spaceraser @mason ** queues “Firestarter” by The Prodigy**