The transition from Windows to an alternative Operating System is sometimes a daunting task. There are a lot of factors to consider prior to making the change. This article will help you determine how to best prepare to use your hardware on BSD, in particular FreeBSD or PC-BSD.
Closing Windows
Why leave Windows behind? For most people the answer to this question will be because of aging hardware and increasing computational demands by constantly evolving software suites. For others, it is the thrill of doing something different with their computer that will amaze their friends. In short, there are a lot of reasons to close down Windows and try something else. But where to start?
Choosing the Right Operating System
Stepping away from Windows and into the world of Unix/Linux/BSD is not a step to take lightly. These free operating systems are almost always far more secure than their proprietary counterparts, but generally come with a steeper learning curve. Some of the more popular choices include Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, FreeBSD, and PC-BSD.
The best place to start is to search the web for alternative operating systems. FreeBSD is the first non-Windows OS that I was exposed to, and so it is the one that I come back to time and again. It is, perhaps, not yet the best choice as a personal computer but it is the best choice when searching for a system that will function as a server, gateway, or router. Yes, given the right wireless interface a FreeBSD system can function as a wireless router for your home. But that's not all. For more, check out the FreeBSD or PC-BSD websites.
Things to Do -- Very Important Things Too
Before closing down your previous operating system, take the time to inventory the hardware of the computer. This simple step can save a lot of frustration and headache. There are a couple of different methods that can be used, often a model number or serial number can lead to a manufacturer's website where the system specifics will be listed out. This is perhaps the simplest solution, but there are other methods. If the computer is running Windows, you can peruse the hardware manager and list out the important components: video card, networking card (s), sound card, and any specialty cards like TV inputs that may be present.
The most important thing to note with these are manufacturers and model numbers. There is nothing worse than installing a new operating system only to find later that the networking card installed in the system doesn't work. The first time I put FreeBSD on a laptop I failed to check the wireless support. The card was supported, but the methods for getting it active were a little daunting. But the best thing about BSD is that its really hard to break it. I can crash the desktop and the operating system itself just continues to chug along. Once the list is created, then what's next?
Discovery -- Not Just a Channel On TV
For the BSD distributions, they usually have very active mailing lists where new users can ask questions. The best part of migrating into this world of computing is that not only is the operating system free, but often a mailing list can provide all of the technical support a person may need. The reason this is mentioned here is because you need a source to turn to when you can not find the answer you need.
But be prepared to do some research here, the best place to start is with a search engine and a couple of keywords. Type in the name of the operating system you have selected along with the manufacturer and model of the hardware you're looking for. Often its best to include the version of OS you're using too, there are times that results can be returned on versions that are 10+ years old. There are many systems that would be junk to a Windows user, but serve as a great gateway or router for someone else.
When searching, try to determine if there are a lot of problems with the hardware or if it just works. I am working to develop a resource just for this, to help users determine if their hardware is compatible with BSD. This project is only in the initial development stage, but keep an eye out on the FreeBSD mailing lists, as it will be announced there as well as the other BSD mailing lists.
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