FreeBSD Gnome Installation howto
GNOME is a complete desktop environment (no matter what Linus says 
). In GNOME, everything is easy to use, and works the way you want.
So how do you install Gnome Desktop system under FreeBSD?
These days it is quite easy to install Gnome Desktop system under FreeBSD. You have following choices (use only one of the method).
Option # 1: Fetch and install Gnome binary package from Internet
To install GNOME 2.16 from binary package over Internet or local FTP server type the command:
# pkg_add -v -r gnome2
Now proceed to post installation instructions.
Option # 2: Install Gnome binary package from CD/DVD
Login as root and type sysinstall:
# sysinstall
Select Configure > Packages > CD/DVD > Gnome
Select all packages and hit install button
Now proceed to post installation instructions.
Option # 3: Install Gnome using FreeBSD ports system
To compile and build Gnome type the following command:
# cd /usr/ports/x11/gnome2
# make clean; make install clean
Now proceed to post installation instructions.
Enable and start GNOME automatically
You need to start all of the GNOME-related services when system comes (at boot time). All you need to do is add following line to /etc/rc.conf file:
Open /etc/rc.conf file:
# vi /etc/rc.conf
Append following line:
gnome_enable="YES"
Save close the file.
If you have other system such as KDE and just want gnome as default add the following line to ~/.xsession or ~/.xinitrc file so that GNOME 2.16 can be started as soon as you type startx command:
echo 'exec gnome-session' >> ~/.xsession
How do I use Gnome?
You can login using GDM or simply type the command:
$ startx
Further recommended readings
- FreeBSD Handbook: Chapter 5 The X Window System
- You can also try out PC-BSD which is also good desktop system based on rock-solid FreeBSD.
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You may also be interested in other helpful articles:
- FreeBSD and Linux changing Desktop Environments/login manager
- Difference between KDE and Gnome Desktop systems
- Quick way to switch from KDE to GNOME or viceversa
- GNOME 2.16 released and available for download
- Gimmie ultimate desktop organizer for Linux
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i did install gnome .
kde n gnome want to open together . how can i find select window?