Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Enterprise Software

The old and new of BSD installers

By Chris Duckett42 January 16, 2012, 1:55 PM PST

Image
1
of 13

freebsd-boot.png
freebsd-boot.png
The old and new of BSD installers

ntDuring the past week, FreeBSD has hit its 9.0 release and PC-BSD followed soon after with its FreeBSD-based 9.0 release.
nt
ntFreeBSD takes the tried and tested method of having a text-based installer. Although this release contained a new installer called bsdinstall, it is very similar to the older sysinstall process.
nt
ntThis will be the only time I will say that I prefer the FreeBSD install to the PC-BSD installer, but ASCII art Beastie is a winner over PC-BSD’s boot screen that follows.

n

ntScreenshots: Chris Duckett/TechRepublic
ntCaptions: Chris Duckett/TechRepublic

nt 

The old and new of BSD installers

PC-BSD boot loader

PC-BSD boot loader

ntThe lack of ASCII art makes the PC-BSD installation media boot loader much less interesting. But this is remedied once the installation is complete.

The old and new of BSD installers

FreeBSD installer welcome

FreeBSD installer welcome

ntWelcome to the FreeBSD text installer. I hope blue is a thing for you, because you are about to see a lot of it.

The old and new of BSD installers

PC-BSD installer welcome

PC-BSD installer welcome

ntBy contrast, the PC-BSD installer shows a beautiful X-based process. This is still BSD, but not as you remember it.

The old and new of BSD installers

PC-BSD or FreeBSD?

PC-BSD or FreeBSD?

ntHere’s an added bonus from PC-BSD. Since it is FreeBSD based, there is no trouble to installing FreeBSD server from the same installation media.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntThis is how FreeBSD displays which distribution components to install.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntBy contrast, PC-BSD presents it in a better manner (oddly reminiscent of old Linux installers) and provides much more software to install. Installing an X server and desktop environment must be completed post-installation with FreeBSD.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntIt’s blue, again.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntPC-BSD allows a selection of ZFS filesystem.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntFreeBSD allows a selection of which services to start from within the installer.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntPC-BSD moves user creation into the installer, and it’s not bad except for the fact that the installer demands a Full Name of the user.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntText installer or not, watching a progress bar slowly tick over is boring in anyone’s language.

The old and new of BSD installers

ntDespite the pretty colours, watching a graphical progress bar is equally boring.

  • Enterprise Software
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    The old and new of BSD installers

    Your email has been sent

Share: The old and new of BSD installers
Image of Chris Duckett42
By Chris Duckett42
Some would say that it is a long way from software engineering to journalism, others would correctly argue that it is a mere 10 metres according to the floor plan. During his first five years with CBS Interactive, Chris started his journalistic adven
  • Account Information

    Contact Chris Duckett42

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Chris's content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×