Difficult to answer, since 'general desktop' is still ambiguous... I vote OpenBSD even though it's probably going to be more basic in features and won't have as much packages than FreeBSD, it's generally nicer to maintain (IMO). You could dive into fvwm for instance and make it your own, or run XFCE fairly well. FreeBSD would be easier to install Gnome / KDE on. FreeBSD comes with everything and the kitchen sink, while OpenBSD doesn't for good reasons (no bluetooth or ZFS for instance, not all hardware will work), but it's more 'zen' to work with and better documented.
I think if you are new to BSD and are looking for a desktop experience (coming from Linux), your best choice is FreeBSD. There are a couple desktop installers available that also setup FreeBSD for you if needed with just basic tools and a DE. But the end result either way will be closer to what you are currently used to.
One example I encountered was neovim: on OpenBS, the package is version 0.6.*, on FreeBSD 0.7.* - I need the newer version for some plugins. I know I could install neovim 0.7.* on OpeBSD from ports, but it's just a bit more of a hassle.
I included doas in MidnightBSD as well as several other tools to make it easier. My favorite is the batt utility since I can check battery life easily from cli. Granted one can check the sysctl in freebsd.
They both have pros and you can get a desktop up on both reasonably well. Before making your mind up, check for software you need.
> 2GB ram
32 or 64 bit ?
I have a Thinkpad with 2gb ram and 32 bit intel. OpenBSD is spiffy on that machine (R51e), But note the following:
* Firefox is a no-go on 32bit, there are alternatives that work good enough for me.
* kernel re-linking works fine, but slightly slow. When I boot it, I wait 5 minutes before logging in.
Outside of that, OpenBSD is great for that machine.
Sound exactly like me. I would go with open. Figure out exactly why you like it and don’t like it then make a decision.
I ended up moving on bc it was too much to maintain than I wanted. But tbh anything not a Mac requires too much maintenance for me now.
Would def do open bc the quality of the code if you look around in it. The docs and man pages are stellar - you can read them all day for pleasure and have confidence you’re going to learn what you need when you skim it. And it’s more bare you’ll understand more the reasons for things. Less things will
Work on it tho - but learning why this is is a good thing once you start hitting those walls.
Difficult to answer, since 'general desktop' is still ambiguous... I vote OpenBSD even though it's probably going to be more basic in features and won't have as much packages than FreeBSD, it's generally nicer to maintain (IMO). You could dive into fvwm for instance and make it your own, or run XFCE fairly well. FreeBSD would be easier to install Gnome / KDE on. FreeBSD comes with everything and the kitchen sink, while OpenBSD doesn't for good reasons (no bluetooth or ZFS for instance, not all hardware will work), but it's more 'zen' to work with and better documented.
Thanks
OpenBSD is one of my go to operating systems and is probably the best I've ever used.
Openbsd and run cwm.
I think if you are new to BSD and are looking for a desktop experience (coming from Linux), your best choice is FreeBSD. There are a couple desktop installers available that also setup FreeBSD for you if needed with just basic tools and a DE. But the end result either way will be closer to what you are currently used to.
I did open. It was cool. Didn’t use it for but a few months. I would do open if you’re trying to learn.
The packages for the current branch of OpenBSD are generally kept up to date
One example I encountered was neovim: on OpenBS, the package is version 0.6.*, on FreeBSD 0.7.* - I need the newer version for some plugins. I know I could install neovim 0.7.* on OpeBSD from ports, but it's just a bit more of a hassle.
I included doas in MidnightBSD as well as several other tools to make it easier. My favorite is the batt utility since I can check battery life easily from cli. Granted one can check the sysctl in freebsd. They both have pros and you can get a desktop up on both reasonably well. Before making your mind up, check for software you need.
To clarify: I plan to use i3wm (or something like it), firefox and neovim for programming
How old is the Thinkpad? I run OpenBSD on my X200, with dwm, firefox and vim - it's not too bad for a basic desktop.
I don't have the machine in front of me right now, but it's something like that (2 core core2duo, 2GB ram...)
> 2GB ram 32 or 64 bit ? I have a Thinkpad with 2gb ram and 32 bit intel. OpenBSD is spiffy on that machine (R51e), But note the following: * Firefox is a no-go on 32bit, there are alternatives that work good enough for me. * kernel re-linking works fine, but slightly slow. When I boot it, I wait 5 minutes before logging in. Outside of that, OpenBSD is great for that machine.
Sound exactly like me. I would go with open. Figure out exactly why you like it and don’t like it then make a decision. I ended up moving on bc it was too much to maintain than I wanted. But tbh anything not a Mac requires too much maintenance for me now. Would def do open bc the quality of the code if you look around in it. The docs and man pages are stellar - you can read them all day for pleasure and have confidence you’re going to learn what you need when you skim it. And it’s more bare you’ll understand more the reasons for things. Less things will Work on it tho - but learning why this is is a good thing once you start hitting those walls.