TrueOS (before PC BSD)

PC BSD - the operating system for desktop PCs. It is created on the basis of the FreeBSD 10.3 code.

2016

TrueOS

On September 7, 2016 it became known of renaming by authors of the PC BSD OS project into TrueOS.

TrueOS OS logo, (2016)

Developers determined TrueOS by "the modern, advanced FreeBSD distribution kit focused on security, simplicity and stability when using on desktops, servers and out of them". TrueOS incorporated the main characteristics of PC BSD, OpenBSD security technology, remaining on the PC BSD Operating system FreeBSD platform^[1].

At the heart of TrueOS packets from the operating branch (current) of the FreeBSD project: automatic weekly updates are offered users that transfers a distribution kit to category rolling release. All updates are executed reliably, with preserving of system pictures (system snapshots) called "a loading environment" (boot environments).

As a graphical working environment in TrueOS Lumina environment is used. Besides, users of desktops together with TrueOS received a set of utilities SysAdm for administration (including, deleted) systems based on TrueOS and FreeBSD by means of the client with the graphical interface, available to different platforms (including Linux system, Mac OS X and Windows). OS is previously configured for installation on desktop computers and servers.

As differences of TrueOS from FreeBSD 11.0 are designated:

• total failure from OpenSSL for benefit of LibreSSL (even in FreeBSD Base),
• layer of compatibility of Linux DRM 4.7 (for support of graphics from Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake Intel), management of all system (including FreeBSD Base) using pkg.

From the general features of OS opportunities in a security system, including support of data encryption using PersonaCrypt and GELI are called, the full application of the OpenZFS file system characterized as "is seriously tested and for 100% is ready to production".

PC BSD release 10.3

On April 5, 2016 the community of PC BSD developers announced release of release 10.3^[2].

As the user environment at choice Lumina, KDE4, GNOME3, MATE, Cinnamon, LXDE and Xfce are offered. Development of PC BSD is supervised by iXsystems company, it actively participates in FreeBSD development, promotes improvement of support of ZFS and sponsors a number of initiatives of FreeBSD Foundation.

PC BSD desktop screenshot in an environment of Lumina (2016)

For loading the hybrid ISO image (4.1 GB, only for amd64), suitable for use on DVD and USB drives and also the reduced image for installation on network (674 MB) is prepared.

Separately the ISO image of TrueOS (760 MB), the server edition PC BSD working without graphical interface, offering text option of an installer extends. TrueOS supports installation using ZFS on the root section, installation with enciphering of all disk (with the ciphered section/boot), support of environments of loading (boot environment), delivery of the PC BSD utilities working in the mode of the command line of the version, including the manager of jail-environments of Warden and a backup system of Life-Preserver.

In addition to the changes inherent to FreeBSD 10.3, in this version of PC BSD upgrade is executed:

• The graphic environment of Lumina is updated to version 0.8.8;
• The regular FreeBSD loader is involved in installation carriers. GRUB is transferred to discharge of optional packets;
• The Qt library is updated before release of Qt 5.5;
• In the program of backup Life-preserver problems in the organization of replication on an external system are fixed;
• In a control interface of assembling (Mount Tray) the feature for automatic start of reproduction of the inserted CDs/DVDs is added (the option can be activated in the Mount Tray/More Options/Change Settings settings);
• Problems at installation on systems are solved with UEFI/GPT;
• Upgraded versions of programs, including are delivered to Firefox 45.0, Chromium 48.0.2564.116 and Thunderbird 38.6.0.
• For the purpose of reduction of the size of the installation carrier the LibreOffice office suite which can be loaded after installation via the AppCafe interface is excluded from basic structure;
• The EasyPBI utility as it is not required when adding metadata in packets any more is deleted;
• The Plug-ins tab as the related functionality is completely rewritten for future release of PC BSD 11 is deleted from the AppCafe interface.

Notes