| DesktopBSD | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Developer | DesktopBSD Team [1] |
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Discontinued in 2015 |
| Source model | Open source |
| Latest release | 1.7 / 7 September 2009 [2] |
| Package manager | FreeBSD Ports |
| Supported platforms | amd64 and i386 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic |
| Default user interface | K Desktop Environment 3 [2] |
| License |
|
| Official website | www |
DesktopBSD was a Unix-derived, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD. Its goal was to combine the stability of FreeBSD with the ease of use of K Desktop Environment 3, the default graphical user interface.
DesktopBSD was a customized installation of FreeBSD, rather than a fork. It was based on FreeBSD's latest stable branch, incorporating customized, preinstalled software such as KDE and DesktopBSD utilities and configuration files.
DesktopBSD was not intended to compete with TrueOS as a BSD-based desktop distribution, although they were similar in structure and goals. DesktopBSD was started about one year before the PC-BSD project, despite the first PC-BSD release before DesktopBSD's. Neither project intended to rival the other, and they had independent, distinctive features and intended outcomes; DesktopBSD used ports and packages for additional software installation, and PC-BSD introduced PBIs.
The final release was 1.7, which became available on 7 September 2009. [4] According to the release announcement, "This is the last and final release of the DesktopBSD project", because the lead developer could no longer contribute the time required to maintain it. [5] DesktopBSD was restarted under new leadership in May 2010, [6] although development and announcements soon stopped. On 10 March 2013, a forum post said that the project was "in the process of being revived." [7] A roadmap for DesktopBSD 2.0 was announced in September 2015 on the DesktopBSD site, with posted screenshots of a GNOME3-based desktop.