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desktop-installer(1)   DragonFly General Commands Manual  desktop-installer(1)


NAME

       desktop-installer - Quickly configure a FreeBSD desktop system


SYNOPSIS

       desktop-installer


DESCRIPTION

       The desktop-installer script automates the process of configuring a
       FreeBSD machine as a desktop system running KDE, Gnome, LXDE, or XFCE.
       Other desktop systems exist and support for them may be added in the
       future.

       This is a post-install script, i.e. one that you run AFTER doing a
       standard operating system installation with sysinstall.  ( See details
       below. )

       The desktop configuration process requires installing many
       ports/packages and configuring many different subsystems, which can be
       a daunting task for all but the most seasoned users.

       Desktop-installer installs all the software necessary for the chosen
       desktop as well as common desktop-independent packages such as CUPS,
       Firefox, OpenOffice.org, etc.

       It also configures system services and settings to facilitate
       convenient use of CD/DVD drives, USB ports, etc.


MOTIVATION

       This script is meant to provide a middle-ground between totally manual
       configuration and complete distributions such as DesktopBSD, GhostBSD,
       and PC-BSD.

       The post-install script approach has some advantages over complete
       distributions.  The post-install script itself is far easier to
       maintain and unlike separate distributions, the resulting desktop
       system is a nearly pristine FreeBSD system with minimal differences
       from the default install.  The system can therefore be maintained and
       upgraded using traditional FreeBSD command-line tools (pkg_add,
       adduser, freebsd-update, etc.), or stock tools of the chosen desktop
       suite.

       It also supports all platforms that run FreeBSD, whereas distributions
       are limited to the most popular architectures.


BASIC USE

       To use desktop-installer:

       1. Install a basic FreeBSD system.

       The recommended install options are a basic user system including:

       All binaries
       Docs in your preferred language(s)
       All source code
       The ports tree

       It is best to use desktop-installer on a pristine FreeBSD installation.

       Desktop-installer can also be used to upgrade all the software on an
       existing system, but there are more possibilities for failure here
       since it is impossible to predict what kinds of system hacks it might
       encounter.  Also, it's generally a good idea to back up your data, wipe
       your disk clean, and reinstall everything every few years, since data
       on magnetic disks can fade over time and read errors will eventually
       occur.

       Desktop-installer can install software from source or from binary
       packages (pkg_add -r).  Binary packages install much faster (seconds
       per package, vs minutes per port built from source).  However,
       installing from ports allows you to have the very latest software, and
       to control build options.

       If you enjoy a simple life, install a -RELEASE version rather than
       -STABLE or -CURRENT, and install the ports tree from sysinstall, not
       using portsnap or cvs.  With a -RELEASE version, ports and packages
       will be installed from a snapshot taken when the release was built.
       This will mean you're not running the very latest of all the
       ports/packages, but the ports and packages will all be compatible with
       each other.

       If you plan to install software from source, you can install the ports
       tree by any means.  Portsnap will install the latest frameworks,
       whereas sysinstall will install a snapshot of the ports tree from the
       release date.

       More adventurous users, and those who want to help the FreeBSD project
       by testing the latest software can use -STABLE or -CURRENT, but be
       prepared to resolve dependency issues.

       If you do not choose to install software from source, desktop-installer
       installs most packages over the network using "pkg_add -r", but
       occasionally using ports where necessary.  (Some software cannot be
       distributed as a binary package for licensing reasons.)

       2. Install desktop-installer:

           pkg_add -r desktop-installer

       or (if you have a ports tree installed)

           cd /usr/ports/sysutils/desktop-installer
           make install

       or if you want the latest development version of desktop-installer, get
       the latest jb-ports from MASTER_SITES and run

           reinstall-jb-port desktop-installer

       3. Run desktop-installer:

       a. Run rehash if using a csh-based shell

       b. desktop-installer

       c. Follow the instructions on your screen.


BUGS

       Too many to document.


SEE ALSO

       auto-admin


AUTHOR

       J. Bacon
       Acadix Consulting, LLC

                                                          desktop-installer(1)

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