Quote Originally Posted by n6hcm View Post
if you think ubuntu is painful then the bsd-based operating systems (except for macos x) are not for you. the folks who put together most bsd-style os do not have usability as a priority. they're meant for tinkerers and experts.
I know what you are saying, and have used FreeBSD on PC/104 processors, which are text based. Great for what it does.

But...
I came across PC-BSD, claiming to have features that I am looking for. Check it out here: http://www.pcbsd.org/content/view/12/26/

PC-BSD is a complete desktop operating system, which has been designed with the "casual" computer user in mind. It offers the stability and security that only a BSD-based operating system can bring, while at the same time providing a comfortable user experience, allowing you to get the most out of your computing time.
....
Installing the system is simply a matter of a few clicks and a few minutes for the installation process to finish. Hardware such as video, sound, network and other devices will be auto-detected and available at the first system startup. Home users will immediately feel comfortable with PC-BSD's desktop interface, with KDE 4.x running under the hood. Software installation has also been designed to be as painless as possible, simply double-click and software will be installed.

Features

* Fully functional desktop operating system, running FreeBSD 8.x® under the hood.
* Self-Installing software packages, makes loading programs a snap!
I would be interested in your observations.
I could not get it to install under VMware Player.