FreeBSD Foundation1d ago

The new freebsd.org is live.

The updated FreeBSD website delivers a cleaner design, improved navigation, and a stronger foundation for the Project’s future.

The new site makes it easier to:
• Get started with FreeBSD
• Access documentation and downloads
• Explore core technologies like ZFS, bhyve, and Jails
• Connect with the FreeBSD community

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to making this happen.

Explore the new site:
https://bit.ly/4eY0ofG

#FreeBSD #OpenSource #BSD

Show threadGraham Perrin1d ago

RE: https://mastodon.bsd.cafe/@grahamperrin/116590983231782178

Special mention: @markmcb (please see the quoted post).

@thedaemon @domi @pj please see the copious discussion in the six-month long public review (D53910) – <https://www.reddit.com/r/freebsd/comments/1teayk4/freebsd_project_website_the_beastie_theme_has/om19vax/>

Cc @FreeBSDFoundation

#FreeBSD

Show threaddmi 💽 1d ago

@grahamperrin @markmcb @thedaemon @pj @FreeBSDFoundation from my very quick glance over the linked thread(s), it feels like there’s more people that dislike the redesign than people who liked it.

then again, i’m not really interested in raging a flamewar against a decision you’ve already made, especially when the main point ‘pro’ is looking modern (something which I find to be a huge detriment)

Show threadendrift 🏳️‍⚧️
@domi @grahamperrin @markmcb @thedaemon @pj @FreeBSDFoundation while I also dislike the soulless modern corpo-web look, it's important to realize that people with stronger opinions are more likely to reply than those without. It's quite possible that there's a lot more people looking at this and thinking "oh neat" than thinking "this sucks", just that the latter segment is more likely to reply.
May 20 at 8:30pmWeb
Show threadMark McBride1d ago
@endrift @domi @grahamperrin @thedaemon @pj @FreeBSDFoundation You are correct. Last July when I prototyped this I got feedback from over a hundred folks. The new layout is strongly preferred. That said, I agree with your soulless statement. Several design elements were stripped out as this went through formal review and the result feels a bit sterile. Generic fonts play a big role, and the header/footer need to be reworked. It’s certainly being discussed.
Show threadGraham Perrin1d ago

@markmcb thanks. I don't think of it as soulless, however I'm glad that it's being discussed.

Also, the post-drop discussions are no surprise 🙂

I suspect that the vast majority of people have not read the opening comment in the review. Readers probably need to click at least four times to reveal <https://reviews.freebsd.org/D53910#1232233> (26th/28th November 2025). I might quote and pin that comment in Reddit. @thismarkp OK with you if I do so? Thanks.

⚙ D53910 website: complete refresh of beastie theme

Show threadMark McBride1d ago

@endrift @domi @grahamperrin @thedaemon @pj @FreeBSDFoundation The other thing to note is the deletion of text and links was intentional. This may need a few iterations but the intent is to reduce any friction the website itself may create that prevents a first-time install.

I also think we need to give thought to what’s the page for the non-new people. I can almost imagine a data dense “other front page” that’s maybe a click away and highly consumable by veteran users.

Show threadGraham Perrin1d ago

@thismarkp cc @markmcb during the review period, I refrained from commenting on the colossal logo and the unused space below.

FWIW I imagine much of that space (including the logo) as a blank canvas for a future carousel, something like that.

Don't ask me to wireframe a carousel. I'll make one of its elements an animated GIF that complains about carousels being too corporate ;-)

Show threadGraham Perrin12h ago

@markmcb @thismarkp

Something's subtly missing from the front page. We see four aspects of the OS, but (unless I'm missing something) no catchy overview. A keyword with which very few people argue:

― cohesion.

Development of FreeBSD is not uniquely cohesive, however IMHO it is a very strong selling point.

Toying with two chunks from the Foundation's description of FreeBSD, in no particular order:

― secure, stable, high-performance, modern, community-governed, open source, enterprise-friendly permissive licensing, single production-ready package

― long-standing, highly active, democratically managed, elected core team, FreeBSD Project, FreeBSD Foundation.

Cherry-pick the best from those two chunks to form something like an elevator pitch for the front page. Can it be done without creating friction? I don't know. Ha.

<https://web.archive.org/web/20260510192659/https://freebsdfoundation.org/freebsd-project/what-is-freebsd/#post-7957>, <https://web.archive.org/web/20260510192659/https://freebsdfoundation.org/freebsd-project/what-is-freebsd/#advgb-col-609689fc-31de-498b-aadf-c7415e300780>

What is FreeBSD? | FreeBSD Foundation

The secure, stable, high-performance open source operating system FreeBSD is a modern, community-governed, open source operating system with enterprise-friendly permissive licensing. It offers superior security, performance, and stability in a single production-ready package. DOWNLOAD GET INVOLVED DONATE WHY USE FREEBSD? Secure by Design FreeBSD is renowned for security – a commitment strongly backed by the global FreeBSD

FreeBSD Foundation | A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and building the FreeBSD Project
Show threadGraham Perrin1d ago

@endrift thanks.

A thought. In the r/freebsd subreddit, it's not unusual for people to be EXTREMELY critical of perceived problems with design etc. The absence of a storm of protest is, I think, a compliment.

The FreeBSD Forums is, naturally, a very different kettle of fish. It's primarily for existing users of FreeBSD …