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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i did install gnome .
kde n gnome want to open together . how can i find select window?
i did everything according to the steps above, but when i log in as root and i typ ‘startx’ it says: command not found
and when i type ‘gdm’:
gdm-binary[1358]: WARNING: GDM already running. Aborting! GDM already running. Aborting!
what to do?
If u cant start gnome with “$ startx” you try “$ gdm” i used it when i couldnt start gnome with startx and it worked like magic.
all the best
This is helpful truly.
🙂
how do I exit out of the config file plz help me someone
yes i know im a noob with free bsd but plz help
ctrl+x for pico and nano
ctrl+[escape] for vi :>) all the best
I’ve been using gdm_enable=”YES” in my /etc/rc.conf file. I’m gonna try that gnome_enable=”YES” in a sec. To answer James’s question, if you’re using Vi as your editor, hit ZZ or Shift Z 2 times. If you’re using emacs I dunno. Vi is forever.
# cd /usr/ports/x11/gnome2
# make clean; make install clean
It takes so long u.u ‘ zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Yes indeed, is the installation faster using the binary package????
Yes it is faster with the binary package. Using ports downloads the source and then compiles it. Ports takes more time and disk space.
Great stuff – very helpful
dont forget to add an entry in fstab
echo “proc /proc procfs rw 0 0” >> /etc/fstab
A short comment:
Linus was talking about the abomination of GNOME3/Unity when he bashed GNOME. GNOME 2 is still a perfectly good desktop environment.
GNOME3/Unity is yet another attempt to make Linux and BSD resemble MacOS X and WinDoze. Folks, if you want one of those slow bloated pieces of you-know-what, go out and buy one! But please leave our BSD and Linux alone!
I appreciate the information. Currently installing GNOME using FreeBSD 9 on a Sun 280r UltraSPARC64 6GB RAM, and the port install is taking forever…. I’m 4 hours into it so far!
I completely agree with Sean. GNOME3/Unity is horrible!
hi my friend I ‘ve downloaded dvd boot from http://www.freebsd.org
should I download the gnome desktop or not
what should i do to install it without download if i found it please a will wait for your answer
how do I do this part?
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
hi,
how to configure WPAD, i have dhcp win2k8 server and DNS my proxy freebsd 9 with squid 3.2.3 i want all my client pc and wireless mobile and laptop to without proxy just using WPAD please helpp 🙁