GhostBSD

GhostBSD is an open source and advanced distribution of BSD specifically crafted for the i386 (Athlon and Pentium) and amd64 (Athlon 64, Opteron, EM64T) compatible architectures. It is based on FreeBSD and provides users with a user-friendly desktop operating system.

Being based on the FreeBSD project, GhostBSD borrows its next-gen package management system, the Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice office suite apps, LibreCAD, as well as the Eclipse and Anjuta development environments for C, C++, JavaScript, Java, Python and Vala programming.

Distributed as 64-bit and 32-bit DVDs

It is distributed as live ISO and IMG images for both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures. While the ISO images can be written to blank DVD discs, the IMG files can be easily deployed on USB flash drives.

Boot options à la FreeBSD

Like any other BSD distribution, GhostBSD provides users with three important boot options. While the first one, and also the default entry, will allow you to boot into a multi user environment, the second one lets users to boot into a single user environment, and the third one will drop users to a shell prompt.

Besides the ability to reboot the system, the boot menu also enables advanced users to configure various boot options, such as to enable or disable ACPI support, safe and verbose modes, as well as to activate single user mode or load the default settings.

MATE is the default desktop environment

The live session of this custom GhostBSD edition is powered by MATE, a fork of the classic GNOME 2 window manager, which provides users with a traditional desktop environment comprised of two panels.

Default applications

Default applications include the LibreOffice office suite (Draw, Calc, Base, Impress and Writer), Mozilla Firefox web browser, Mozilla Thunderbird email client, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, XChat IRC client, Transmission torrent downloader, Shotwell image viewer and organizer, and GIMP image editor.

Another interesting application is SpiderOak, which allows users to securely and privately synchronize, backup and share their data across multiple computers. The popular VLC Media Player and Rhythmbox applications are also installed, along with all the MATE apps.

Bottom line

During our tests, GhostBSD MATE proved to be a strong operating system. It features a dark theme, beautiful fonts, as well as a collection of hand picked open source applications. Whether you know your way around BSD systems or not, you should give GhostBSD a try today!

What is new in this release:

• GDM as been replaced by PCDM
• Wifimgr is now fully replaced by Networkmgr
• A beta version of Update Station is now in GhostBSD whish update FreeBSD base system and software
• The installer partition editor got a lot of improment
• The installer use the latest pc-sysinstall from PCBSD GitHup
• GhostBSD is now following the same release number then FreeBSD and PCBSD

What is new in version 4.0 / 10.1 Beta 1:

• GDM as been replaced by PCDM
• Wifimgr is now fully replaced by Networkmgr
• A beta version of Update Station is now in GhostBSD whish update FreeBSD base system and software
• The installer partition editor got a lot of improment
• The installer use the latest pc-sysinstall from PCBSD GitHup
• GhostBSD is now following the same release number then FreeBSD and PCBSD

What is new in version 4.0:

• Xconfig from 3.5 was added back to system
• A script is added to do configuration on the first boot of the new intallation
• fix software dependency

What is new in version 4.0 Alpha 3:

• Network after install work on Virtualbox
• Added back Wifimgr for better wifi support until Networkmgr work flawlessly
• Removed gimp to since Gimp is easily install with sudo pkg install gimp
• Removed all software that depend on Nautilus like Rhythmbox and gksu.
• Exaile is replacing Rhythmbox
• GhostBSD user is now removed after installation.
• New experimental look

What is new in version 4.0 Alpha 2:

• Network Manager permision fixed.
• Network Manager packaging fixed.
• GhostBSD GBI Installer for virtual box fixed
• Auto partitionign for virtual box fixed
• installing on an entire disk fixed

What is new in version 4.0 Alpha 1:

• FreeBSD 9.2-RELEASE to FreeBSD 10.0-RELEASE.
• 4.0-RELEASE is MATE only
• SpiderOak is now part of the default install
• Libre Office is back due failed to complile Open Office under CLANG
• New GBI Partition editor interface
• Webcamd install but not preconfigured
• New network manager.
• pkg_add replaced by pkgng
• Bxpkg has been remove from the project
• MC has been added
• Nano has been added

What is new in version 3.5:

• OpenSSL has been updated to version 0.9.8y.
• DTrace hooks have been enabled by default in the GENERIC kernel.
• DTrace has been updated to version 1.9.0.
• Sendmail has been updated to version 8.14.7.
• OpenSSH has been updated to version 6.2p2.
• Gnome 2.32 has been replace by Mate 1.6.
• Xfce 4.10 is now part of Desktop choice.
• GhostBSD BSM theme with custom Faenza icon.
• Mate, Xfce and LXDE contain a more uniform set of software.
• Gimp is now install by default.
• Shotwell is now install by default.
• Libre Office has been change for Apache Open Office 4.
• The installer GBI as been updated to 1.3.

What is new in version 3.5 RC3:

• GDM mouse fix.

What is new in version 3.5 RC2:

• FreeBSD 9.2 RC4 to FreeBSD 9.2 REALEASE.
• i386 Openbox Menu has been fix.
• Installer "Customize Partitionnig" option windows title has been change.

What is new in version 3.5 RC1:

• FreeBSD RC3 to RC4.
• Installer progress black window fixed
• Bxpkg Package Manager "fail to start due to some GTK+ issue" is fixed
• Mate BSM theme is Fixed
• New GDM login theme

What is new in version 3.5 Beta 3:

• FreeBSD RC2 to RC3.
• Removed Caja in Xfce and Lxde.
• Replaced Atril by ePDFViewer
• Mate and Openbox images