Installing FreeBSD on HP Computer that is using software RAID 5

[Carmel NY]

On Fri, 4 Jan 2019 10:35:05 +0000, Matthew Seaman stated:

>On 03/01/2019 19:48, Carmel NY wrote:
>> Matthew, I think you might have some say in how FreeBSD operates.
>> When a user downloads a new version of FreeBSD, lets say version
>> 12.0, they should get that version. Now, if there is a newer
>> version, lets say version 12.1 of 12.2, or whatever, the user should
>> be presented with the option of downloading the latest version.
>> Microsoft does something similar, and I see no reason not to follow
>> that trend. The user should be given the option. If there is a newer
>> version available, why should the end user be handicapped?  
>
>I have less say than you seem to think.  Managing the release strategy 
>and support lifetimes of releases is a current topic engaging a deal
>of core's attention, with a lot of input from the release engineering
>and security teams (none of which I'm involved with) -- and this is a 
>contentious topic as there are several large blocks of the user base 
>each of which want apparently contradictory things.  Satisfying as
>many users as possible, without putting the project under an
>insurmountable support load is going to take some time and effort and
>a lot of discussion to sort out.

I totally agree.

>Now, we don't have, say, something that pops up in the installer that 
>says "I see you're installing version 12.0, but 12.3 is now available" 
>-- it might be something that could be added, but for my part I'd find 
>it pretty irritating having a computer always trying to second guess 
>what I'm trying to do and making me do pointless work dismissing such 
>pop-ups.

I hate pop-ups too. However, in this scenario, since it is dealing with
the initial installation of the OS, I don't think it would be overly
intrusive. In my own defense, I am far more annoyed when I find that I
have installed something only to find out that it has been preceded by
a newer version. If I wanted the older version, that would be fine;
however, I feel that I should have had the opportunity to choose a
never version if I wanted too. To take this a step further, users are
already asked during installation to pick their keyboard, time zone and
several other questions. Adding one more to the list, in my humble
opinion, will not break the camel's back.

>Also, we do tend to assume the user has basically been keeping up with 
>FreeBSD release news and has been looking at the FreeBSD.org website
>and FTP archive, where is it pretty obvious what the currently
>supported versions are.

Seriously, NEVER assume.

>Also you will be prompted by freebsd-update(8) or pkg(8) during normal 
>maintenance activities when your currently installed system is going
>out of support.

According to my FreeBSD PC, the latest version is "12.0-RELEASE-p1". I
have scoured the FreeBSD website; however I do not see a downloadable
ISO available for the version. So, unless I am mistaken, I would have
to install the Stable version and then upgrade. Personally, and I mean
no offense to anyone, but I find that to be total "BS". Obviously, your
opinion may differ.

Thanks for your time Matthew.

>	Cheers,
>
>	Matthew

-- 
Carmel