Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 01:58:04 +0100 From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> To: "Thomas Mueller" <mueller6727@bellsouth.net> Cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Installer program for FreeBSD-9.0? Message-ID: <20101208015804.d3b54f21.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <4cfe1a85.d3rNX98SaYCaW7%2BQ%mueller6727@bellsouth.net> References: <4cfe1a85.d3rNX98SaYCaW7%2BQ%mueller6727@bellsouth.net>
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On Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:29:09 +0000, "Thomas Mueller" <mueller6727@bellsouth.net> wrote: > I guess FreeBSD installation from floppies is no longer > supported because of the difficulty of fitting the kernel? I think so, too. My "interest" is to be able to boot a system that does not boot from CD or via LAN. In this case, starting (!) the installation from floppy can work. An example from my own practical use: I wanted to install FreeBSD 4 on a laptop that didn't have network or CD-ROM. I chose to boot from floppy, and then started the install process via parallel cable (printer port) from a second system, already running FreeBSD and "exporting" the install CD via plip. > While installation and update via web browser makes sense > as an option, it must not be the only option. Please don't get me wrong: I see lots of potential in providing a web-based install. The downside, however, is that interaction WITH this frontend is done through the browser that is used, and therefore suffers from the disabilites of the browser. For example, lynx is a text mode browser that works well even via serial console - as soon as you KNOW how to interact with that browser! Keep in mind that the cursor keys often don't do what the novice user might assume they will do! So the accessibility of the browser has impact on how the installation process is performed. > What if the user starts with a blank hard drive, > nothing installed? Then one needs to be able to > install from CD, DVD or USB drive. Exactly that is the usual starting point for a FreeBSD installation. :-) It's also worth mentioning that FreeBSD is considered to be an advanced OS because of the fact that it can turn "old-fashioned" or even "outdated" computers into usable things (routers, servers, workstations). This goal can only be met with providing maximum compatibility: This doesn't only include support for "new" partitioning methods, but also for "old" booting practices. Artificially rising a barrier by saying "You need a graphics card, a mouse and 1 GB RAM to install this" is not an option. As long as CHOICE is provided - no problem. -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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