FreeBSD 7.0-RELEASE Available

[Paul Schmehl]

--On Monday, March 03, 2008 02:20:49 -0800 "Chris H." <chris#@1command.com> 
wrote:
>
> I would assert that FreeBSD is first and foremost a Server OS.
> The fact that it can also provide a full blown desktop, is so much
> the better.
> In this context, I believe that it makes more sense to place the
> server related install on the first disc. This makes it possible
> to install a server with the least amount of effort. It /also/
> makes it quite possible for a would-be desktop user to likely
> only need to exchange discs /one/ time. As the most frequently
> used desktop items will fit onto their own disc (one disc).
>

While I would agree with you in principle, I doubt seriously you could be a 
"server" OS on one disk.  What server are we talking about?  Web?  Email? 
Webmail?  Database?  FTP?  File server?  Home directory server?  DNS server? 
Collaboration server?  Combination of the above?

The possibilities are endless, and I doubt they all fit on one iso.

> Bottom line: this arrangement should ultimately make everyones
> life easier, and maybe even happier. :)
>

Feh.  I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that there *is* no *right* way to do 
this, because it depends entirely upon what the purpose of the box is and what 
the preferences of the installer are.  Perhaps a DVD iso is the best that can 
be done.

Personally I don't install packages from the iso.  I update ports to current 
and compile from source.  So I don't really care what's on the isos, but, as 
the OP pointed out, not everyone has the luxury of an internet connection when 
they're doing an install, so effort in this area is probably warranted.  I just 
don't think that *any* solution will satisfy everyone (short of a DVD, which 
*may* be able to hold everything.

-- 
Paul Schmehl (pauls at utdallas.edu)
Senior Information Security Analyst
The University of Texas at Dallas
http://www.utdallas.edu/ir/security/