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ZDNET key takeaways

• GhostBSD is more UNIX than Linux.
• GhostBSD is a great option for rock-solid stability.
• You can install and use GhostBSD for free.

GhostBSD has had many changes over the years. When GhostBSD was first released, it was based on FreeBSD. In 2018, the developers decided they would switch it up and rebase the OS on TrueOS. Then, in 2020, TrueOS called it quits, and GhostBSD decided to migrate back to FreeBSD.

This shift was the right choice. First off, FreeBSD is an outstanding OS that has come a very long way. In fact, the latest FreeBSD was the first time I’d ever considered BSD as an option for everyday use. FreeBSD is rock-solid (like most BSDs) because it’s a complete system. Unlike Linux, which only provides a kernel and drivers (with third parties adding the remaining bits), FreeBSD gives you everything.

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By switching to FreeBSD, GhostBSD also benefits from the latest upstream improvements, which include enhanced hardware support, security updates, and kernel advancements. 

There have been other changes as well, such as:

• The default shell has been switched to zsh.
• XLibre is now the default display server.
• Enterprise WPA (802.1X/EAP) and WireGuard support was added to NetworkMGR.
• Update Station now supports major version upgrades based on the boot environment.
• Software Station benefits from a faster bisect-based package search.
• Refreshed visual identity with a new wallpaper.
• Updated icon themes and new theme variants.

There is one major difference between GhostBSD and FreeBSD: the default desktop environment. While FreeBSD defaults to KDE Plasma, GhostBSD opts for Mate. With GhostBSD going with a lighter-weight desktop environment, the OS feels considerably faster.

The choice of Mate also means GhostBSD is fairly streamlined, meaning you don’t get much preinstalled software. You get a few Mate tools, the Plank Reloaded dock, Firefox, VLC media player, and not much more. 

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There isn’t even a GUI package manager, which can be resolved with the command:

pkg install -y desktop-installer

Once installed, you’ll find Software Station in the top bar System menu, under Administration. 

After opening the station, all you have to do is search for the software you want to install, select it, click Apply, and confirm.

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I will say that package installation isn’t exactly the fastest I’ve ever experienced, but the system works well.

Making it a bit more modern

From my perspective, Mate is definitely not a modern-looking desktop environment. With a bit of tweaking, I was able to give it a modern twist (thanks to Plank Reloaded). I deleted the bottom panel, ran Plank Reloaded, changed the theme, culled the desktop icons, and tweaked the top panel with some transparency.

I then decided to install KDE Plasma and see if GhostBSD would play well with it. The installation went surprisingly fast and was taken care of with the command:

sudo pkg install kde -y

After a reboot, I logged in to the new (more modern) desktop and GhostBSD shone. The only caveat was that I couldn’t use KDE Plasma with Wayland (even though the option was available). Even so, KDE Plasma looked and responded fantastically on GhostBSD.

It’s all about stability

One thing I appreciate about GhostBSD (and all of the BSDs for that matter) is the incredible stability. It almost feels as if the system dares you to try to break it. Sure, I can break GhostBSD (because I’ve spent so many years with Linux), but it’s not nearly as easy as you might think.

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As for the average user, breaking GhostBSD would be a challenge, but I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.

Who is GhostBSD for?

GhostBSD isn’t really for those who’ve never wandered beyond Windows. The installation can be a bit tricky, and getting a GUI package installer added does require the command line. But once you get this OS installed, it will serve you well. 

I’m inclined to say GhostBSD is best for people with enough Linux experience who want to use something a bit more like Unix. The system is also good for those who are sick of unreliable operating systems and would like something that is seemingly unbreakable. That’s what the BSDs are, and GhostBSD does not disappoint.

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If I’ve piqued your interest, download the GhostBSD ISO now, burn it to a USB drive, boot from it, and install it. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.