FreeBSD starter machine

[Gayn Winters]

> [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions at freebsd.org] On Behalf Of Matt S. Gann
> Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2005 8:08 PM
> To: freebsd-questions at FreeBSD.org
> Subject: FreeBSD starter machine
> 
>   I have a few questions about FreeBSD.  I am just beginning 
> to get into UNIX.  I know a few line commands, but really 
> want to get familiar and comfortable with the OS.  I have 
> been intrugued by FreeBSD for many years now, but I own a 
> windows-based PC and am not keen about running dual OS's.  I 
> would like to get a cheap, used, small desktop or laptop to 
> "tinker" with Unix/Linix and FreeBSD.  However, I know little 
> to nothing about system requirements and/or hardware 
> compability.  I was thinking of an old 486 or Pentium 1 to 
> get started.  Any thoughts on what I could start with?
 
Dual booting works fine if you have some "extra" disk space (or an extra
disk you can add.)  

If you want a separate PC, then don't use too old of a machine.  While
it is fun doing useful things on old systems, for your first unix system
you don't want to spend too much time getting old hardware to work or
repairing it when it dies.  Your time is better spent learning the OS.
Also, while I would recommend learning a unix system in command mode
before bringing up a windowing system, if you want to learn unix
windowing systems, then you are going to want a somewhat faster cpu with
a decent video system.  

With a little looking around, you can probably get, at near zero cost, a
PC that is <5 years old.  That will put you in the 400Mhz+ range and any
unix will be very happy with most configurations that you find on such a
PC.  I'd insist on a 100mbps NIC and a decent CDROM as well. Make sure
the PC boots from the CDROM. (Try before you buy.) Not only is a unix
installation easier when booting from a CD, but there are several handy
CD based tools and diagnostics. I'd also look for a bigger box with a
few spare PCI slots so that you can add "stuff" easily as you are
learning.

For $19 I bought a new 2-port Belkin KVM switch, which I use to switch
between my MS-Windows PC and my "other" desktop, which I will soon
upgrade from FreeBSD 5.4 to 6.0.  This saves a lot of space on my desk,
and switching between the two is just a couple keystrokes.  You might
consider it.  It is especially handy when you are trying out different
installations.  For my FreeBSD servers, I use Putty to ssh into them
from my Windows machine (and openssh from my FreeBSD machines.) The key
thing is to make it easy to access your unix system(s) so that you learn
faster.

Have fun!

-gayn

Bristol Systems Inc.
714/532-6776
www.bristolsystems.com