For those hardcore about using real Unix instead of Linux, FreeBSD is where it is at for the workstation. Unfortunately, the belief that it is simple enough for Windows users to migrate to is a dream gone wrong. That is where the belief that something like PC-BSD might fit in for new *Nix users, designed to lessen the strain and amazing time investment in “unlearning” all things Windows.

Unfortunately, PC-BSD in the past has been a fun idea, but really buggy. I mean, it makes new Ubuntu installations look stable – it has been that bad. All of this being said, I have watched in complete amazement as Ubuntu continues to allow really obvious bugs into the mainstream release of each new “version” sent forward. Version 8.10 is without a doubt, pretty bad. I am using it right now to stream my webcam on Ustream. But even still, the fact is that I had to kill PulseAudio just to get the mic on the webcam working as it did in versions past. And now, as many of you may know, NVIDIA support for Ubuntu 8.10 is a mess, despite those few having luck with it.

But to be fair, despite the Ubuntu team failing to mention this, relying on anything other than LTS releases is rather foolish as you are simply serving to further beta test their distribution of Linux. Because if you stick to 6.06 and 8.04, you will find that like XP SP2, things run pretty well after they have had some time out of the proverbial oven. Speaking for myself, I generally only run LTS releases on my desktop.

This being said, I am taking yet another stab into the PC-BSD waters. BSD, unlike Linux, has a much quieter history. Let’s just say that OS X would be NOTHING without BSD contributions.

Today, I am installing the final patch to PC-BSD 7 known as 7.0.1. A lot of critical fixes have been offered, the most show stopping of them the inclusion of a Flash 9 solution. Unlike Windows, Linux and OS X, Adobe has not bothered to give FreeBSD (PC-BSD by default) a suitable Flash media option. Thankfully, I hear Flash 9 for Linux is now working on PC-BSD. Needless to say I am interested in where things have gone here.

Despite my past frustrations with PC-BSD, I am going to give it another shot. Afterall, had I been this impatient with Linux, I would still be fighting with my old Windows box full time. It’s fun to learn and grow.

Update: Just tried it on very compatible hardware – NVIDIA, etc….no boot loader found. Wow, even though BSD is great on the server front, I think users are best off with DesktopBSD or FreeBSD as clearly, REALLY Ubuntu bug fever is alive and well in the PC-BSD world…sigh.

Update 2: Ended up reinstalling, must have been something on my end. Unfortunately, one must setup the Internet connection themselves as my NIC was disabled by default, then one must apparently assign their own DNS settings as despite Windows and Linux being able to use those provided by my router without issue, PC-BSD has terrible load times when using my router’s settings. So I set them manually…too bad the DNS entry area reverts back to the router each time. Clearly, alpha quality release at best. Perhaps with more patches, eventually, we will see the stability I found with earlier releases of PC-BSD. Something tells me it will be awhile.