First things first: PC-BSD is NOT Linux. Both are UNIX-like systems, but PC-BSD is NOT Linux.
The main difference between PC-BSD and FBSD is: PC-BSD is geared towards desktop use; FBSD has been created with server use in mind
- PC-BSD is based on FreeBSD (6.1 currently) and KDE (currently 3.5.5)
- PC-BSD is installed by a nice graphical installer, rather than FreeBSD’s /sbin/sysinstall
- PC-BSD installs a bunch of pre-selected applications (mostly KDE), whereas one has to manually select packages during a FreeBSD installation
- PC-BSD supports all the major package management systems that FreeBSD comes with (PKG, Ports etc) but has additionally the PBI package installer.
- PC-BSD’s kernel has been recompiled with some configuration tweaks to better suit it for desktop use
- PC-BSD comes preconfigured with a number of automatic scripts (i.e. to mount a digital cameral or USB memory stick etc) that only work in KDE. So, if you want Gnome instead of KDE , alas, but for the time being, you will have to install FBSD with Gnome.
So, in summary, there is no real difference between PC-BSD and FreeBSD, except for the and the that come with PC-BSD. PC-BSD is FreeBSD with a nice installer, preconfiguration/kernel tweaks, PBI package management, pre-selected packages and some handy (GUI) utilities to make PC-BSD suitable for desktop use, so the user doesn’t have to worry about configuring his/her system, but rather install it and start working and/or playing.
Thanks for this
information.
I first installed FreeBSD and got stunned by no GUI, also not knowing how to…
Best wishes to BSD ……….
One is for hardcore zealots and one is for raping osx gotcha!! :P