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FreeBSD on DVD

Posted by AilleCat on from the all-that-on-only-one-disk dept.

FreeBSD Services Ltd. has announced their intention to distribute FreeBSD on (bootable) DVD, including packages, ports distfiles, the CVS repository, and a technical documentation set. I managed to get one of the promotional DVD's here at USENIX and I can't wait to get home and check out what's on it. Ultimately it will be offered as a subscription based service and documentation will be kept up-to-date.

9 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. "DVD's"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5
    http://www.angryflower.com/bobsqu.gif

    Spread it around.

  2. DVD-ROM != DVD-Video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5

    It would be a good idea not to use the catch-all 'DVD' to describe a specific kind of DVD disc. There is DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, and DVD-Audio. A DVD-ROM is just another type of media to store data. DVD-Video is a subset of DVD-ROM; it is a special kind of DVD-ROM with a particular file system layout and a specification for the format of the files. Don't confuse the two

    Note that all DVD-Video discs do not have encrypted content.

    DVD-ROM will eventually replace CD-ROM, it is good to see FreeBSD looking ahead. The price of DVD duplication is getting down to where it can economically replace multi-CD-ROM datasets.

  3. Cool... by Mullen · · Score: 5

    Now with this DVD with there be:

    Developers commentary channel?
    Option to view deleted code?
    See previews for other OS's?
    Multi-Language stero channel. FreeBSD Code in spanish!
    Making of FreeBSD?
    Multi-Angle FreeBSD coding?

    I look forward to watching this puppy.


    --

    --
    Linux O Muerte!
  4. One word makes the difference . . . by SimplyCosmic · · Score: 4
    . . . and that word is "forced".

    With the oft mentioned Microsoft subscription model, it truely is a forced upgrade. Even if you're happy with your system and apps after a particular upgrade, you're out of luck when the time limit expires.

    There's no forced upgrades being done with the FreeBSD subscription. Once you've installed it, you can either not upgrade, upgrade through the regular means (buying a new CD/DVD, downloading from the internet, etc), or subscribe and have new DVD's mailed to you on a regular basis.

    The subscription model FreeBSD is proposing is one of convenience for the customers. What Microsoft is proposing is convenient for Microsoft.

  5. Fsck the MPAA! by tosderg · · Score: 4

    Down with DVD! Distribute DeCSS on tshirts, televisions, and toilet tissue!

    BOYCOTT AMAZON.COM!

    BURN DOWN THE PATENT OFFICE!

    FREE KEVIN MITNICK!

    Wa.. wait a minute.

    FreeB... oh. Nevermind.

  6. Working with the shell is going to be difficult... by mr_gerbik · · Score: 4

    using only my DVD remote control.


    .... yes, that was a joke.

  7. What else does it come with... by Ian+Wolf · · Score: 4

    "Devil's Advocate"?

    --
    "The words of the prophets are written on the Slashdot walls."
  8. What are you watching? by ackthpt · · Score: 4
    "A movie, I think it's called 'cron'."
    "Interesting special effects."

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    All your .sig are belong to us!

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    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  9. Re:Cost? by Darth+RadaR · · Score: 4
    Though it might change, the current subscription price is US$25 per release according to Daemonnews.org.

    BSD subscriptions in a nutshell: They send you the DVD or CDs when the latest version is released and bill you instead of having to order it every time there's a new release.

    Since it's cheaper to ship 1 DVD as opposed to 10 or so CDs, I can't imagine it getting any more expensive.

    --
    /*drunk.. fix later*/