Another updated layout.

I think title: "Distribution Select" could be replaced by "Choose optional system components to install", to simplify the text.

#FreeBSD GUI installer layout improvements.

Report of the day, 19:30:

I’ve finished preparing the talk for Friday. Unfortunately, it’s not as I would have liked: the 25+5-minute limit is extremely restrictive, and talking about the BSDs in such a short time means having to skip over some fundamental points. Specifically, I will need to reduce the emphasis on the initial part, the less technical and more “motivational” section. I would have needed at least 40 minutes. 25 is really too little for a talk worthy of the name.

On the plus side, in the next few days, I will have to set up a new, quite interesting setup based on the BSDs. I’m considering using both FreeBSD and OpenBSD – the power of jails, the security of OpenBSD as an endpoint – unfortunately, I can’t provide many details as I’ve been asked to keep it confidential. Still, it will be very interesting for me to implement.

I’ve also modified several reverse proxies, switching from nginx to haproxy – I’ve integrated Prometheus and Grafana as well, and the ability to impose granular limits has improved the management of traffic spikes for FediMeteo. I’m really satisfied with the results.

EuroBSDcon 2025 in Zagreb

- Call for Papers runs until June 21st, 2025 https://2025.eurobsdcon.org/cfp/

Conference 2025-09-25 - 2025-09-28

Tutorials September 25-26 2025
Talks September 27-28 2025

https://2025.eurobsdcon.org/

ThinkPad Hacking: Replace Lenovo Logo with FreeBSD at Boot

https://video.fosshq.org/videos/watch/2a003cb6-47bf-4909-992b-8c6c8ad808c7

So since 2004 #FreeBSD has a security system called "ugidfw" or "firewall-like access controls for file system objects" where you apply firewall like rules to permit or deny uid:gid to specific directories or files.

For example I could say:
add subject uid 22 gid 22 object uid 0 gid 0 filesys / type r mode r;

and then SSHD could only ever be able read regular files owned by root:wheel but never write them, etc.

It's a great way to detect with applications are trying to do strange things with permissions you are not expecting.

But it is a huge pain to debug problems, there are basically no guides or how-to examples. I keep meaning to write something up, but before I do is anyone aware of or interested in ugidfw?

Very disappointed in my Lenovo Carbon laptop.a keycap is falling off, the charge port (USB) not working.Really want a newer more robust laptop so I can time to get this Carbon repaired without losing data etc.These chicklet like keyboards are for the birds they don't stand up to touch typists like me.
So looking for non USA laptops because.. tariffs.

So many sites with "Not made in China" laptops but what about "Not made in USA" laptops?

Another idea for the #FreeBSD GUI installer is to show the battery level of the laptop. Imagine starting an installer that can't finish the installation. It will be a worse experience.

Probably this should be a warning or more prominent message, rather than just an icon.

Pro tip: You can use `sudo pkg version -vRL=` command to list all upgradeable packages on FreeBSD and then apply those updates using pkg. See https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/pkg-command-list-upgradeable-packages-freebsd/ for more info.

Before I started working on #FreeBSD GUI installer layout ideas I made a research on most popular Linux and Unix installers to see how they approach it. Including: Arch, Mint, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and macOS.

Then I found that Ubuntu's installer was much easier to use, looked clean and I compared it with Linux Mint's GUI.

Here is a 5 minute video of this comparison: https://www.loom.com/share/f6c6a57a90f2426c94779a9603c2743c?sid=9b39e5e9-417c-4660-8bb1-90e24ec43709

Latest 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 - 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱/𝟬𝟯/𝟭𝟳 (Valuable News - 2025/03/17) available.

https://vermaden.wordpress.com/2025/03/17/valuable-news-2025-03-17/

Past releases: https://vermaden.wordpress.com/news/

Sitting at my desk after a busy morning and afternoon, updating #FreeBSD packages and sitting in the Oggcast Planet IRC channel as I contemplate some ivory tickling in the meantime. #RunBSD #BSD

According to my weekend tests, #FreeBSD 14.2 does not support hotplug of an nvidia card with an USB-C / Thunderbolt interface (eGPU). The card is recognized though when powered on and connected while the OS boots.

Is this expected?
And/or different in 15.x?

Another screen for #FreeBSD GUI installer. First one: https://mastodon.social/@alex_deplov/114173827842588324

Changes I made:
- Moved the Next button to the bottom, since you have to make a selection first and then press it.
- Removed confusion over: default set to "US", continue with default. Replaced with simple "Continue with US keymap
- Added steps (current number of steps is not final and will be polished later)
- Removed unnecessary characters >>>, ->-, () to improve list readability

As you know, I'm trying to get involved with the GUI installer for #FreeBSD as an interface designer. I'm going to share some initial concepts on how I think we can improve the layout. Your feedback is highly appreciated!

At the moment I'm using Pierre's FreeBSD Graphical Installer: preview #2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm6byc7N2O4

More will be shared soon, stay tuned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rht6UmDSkQ

Stuck at the „Loading kernel…“ message when you expect #freebsd to continue booting after the Beastie screen? Hit 3 while you still can to escape to the loader prompt. Type „set boot_verbose=-v“, confirm with Enter, then „boot“. Solved the problem for me. To make that permanent add boot_verbose=-v to loader.conf.