The Definitive Guide to PC-BSD [Paperback]

Dru Lavigne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1430226412 | ISBN-13: 978-1430226413 | Edition: 1

This book is the ultimate reference for both beginners and power users to PC-BSD—the free, easy-to-use operating system based on FreeBSD. Existing power users will learn how to look under the hood and contribute to the global PC-BSD community. PC-BSD is turning into a hassle-free alternative to Linux on the desktop.

• Enjoy secure, virus-free computing
• Quickly become a power user

What you’ll learn

• How to completely customize your desktop to suit your personality and quickly access your favorite applications
• How to find and install quality, no-cost software
• How to keep your system secure, virus-free, and up to date
• How to perform common tasks such as playing music and video, sharing files, and gaming
• How to integrate the PC-BSD desktop into your network
• How to become part of the PC-BSD community

Who this book is for

You don’t have to be a Unix user to enjoy the PC-BSD operating system. Even if you’re fairly new to computers, this book will quickly get you started using and enjoying PC-BSD. Existing power users will discover new usage tricks and learn how to advance their PC-BSD skills.

Table of Contents

1. Introducing PC-BSD
2. Installing PC-BSD
3. Customizing the Desktop
4. Getting Around
5. Performing Common Tasks
6. User System Settings
7. Administrative System Settings
8. Push Button Installer System
9. FreeBSD Packages
10. FreeBSD Ports
11. Getting Help
12. Getting Involved
13. Advanced Tasks
14. Becoming a Developer

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dru Lavigne has been using the Berkeley Software Distribution family of operating systems since the mid-1990s, and PC-BSD has been her primary desktop since 2006. A network and systems administrator and information technology instructor, she has over a decade of experience administering and teaching Netware, Microsoft, Cisco, Checkpoint, SCO, Solaris, Linux, and BSD systems. A prolific author, she is the author of BSD Hacks (O'Reilly, 2004) and The Best of FreeBSD Basics (Reed Media Services, 2007).

Dru is currently the editor-in-chief of the Open Source Business Resource, a free monthly publication covering open source and the commercialization of open source assets. She is founder and current chair of the BSD Certification Group, a non-profit organization with a mission to create the standard for certifying BSD system administrators. She maintains a blog at http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/bsd-guru.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (March 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430226412
• ISBN-13: 978-1430226413
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've spent the last decade immersed in the IT world in the capacity of a trainer, document writer, sysadmin and independent consultant and have found that this mix appeals to many aspects of my personality. Teaching keeps me on my toes answering questions and ensuring that my knowledge is up-to-date. In writing, I have a chance to give back to the community and to help make the learning curve easier for others. Troubleshooting in system and network administration is more addictive than any puzzle or game I've come across. And as an independent consultant I get to choose my hours and the jobs that interest me.