Because Linux stopped working reliably on my two Dell computers, I bought a Mac and listed both on Craigslist. One sold, one didn’t. That left me with a spare Dell workstation in need of an operating system. Having used XFCE several years ago, I decided to try the GhostBSD XFCE Community Edition. That download changed everything.
Installing GhostBSD: Simple and Swift
The GhostBSD installer is effortless. No cryptic command-line prompts, no complex partition screens, just a clean process that got me to a usable desktop in minutes:
- My icons, my way: I swapped in the Kora icon set instantly.
- A touch of nostalgia: The Greybeard Dark theme was pre installed.
- 10 minutes total: From live boot to first login, I had a working desktop ready fro tweaking and testing.
GhostBSD Features That Outshine Linux
GhostBSD isn’t just “Linux with ZFS snapshots.” It is a FreeBSD desktop polished for everyday creativity instead of endless configuring. Here’s what sealed the deal for me:
1. Software Station
Forget the usual package managers, no Snap, no bloated Flatpak. GhostBSD uses FreeBSD’s pkg system. It’s fast, predictable, and up to date.
- Python 3.11, PHP 8.3, and more installed in seconds.
- A clean XFCE setup with Firefox, terminal, and not much else. No nuisance apps that I needed to remove.
2. Backup Station
Apple won me over once with Time Machine. GhostBSD won me over again with Backup Station. Every time the system updates, a snapshot is automatically created. No setup, no hassle. Just peace of mind which is a welcome change.
3. Jails: Security and Flexibility by Design
Finally, I was able to play with FreeBSD’s legendary Jail system. In GhostBSD, it’s effortless.
sysrc jail_enable=YES
ezjail-admin create py-test 192.168.1.100Two lines, and I had a sandbox for Python scripts. No risk to my main system and no need for virtual machines.
4. Hardware That Finally Cooperates
On the Dell Precision 3440, Linux once worked flawlessly but lately, I experienced graphics glitches which would fill my screen with garbled data. GhostBSD brought it back to life:
- Audio worked after some tweaking.
- Reliable wake-up from suspend. Tap a key and it’s ready to work.
- Uptime you can trust. I’m on day three as I write this: no crashes, no freezes, no drama.
- SFTP works similar to how I use it with Gnome.
GhostBSD Review Verdict: A Linux Alternative That Respects Your Time
I’ll never forget what Linux gave me but GhostBSD gave me something Linux never could: a desktop that respects me as a user. It lets me design, code, and create without wasting evenings troubleshooting.
With Bell’s Palsy, every minute matters. GhostBSD has given me back time, stability, and joy. Best of all, it’s not pretending to be Linux. GhostBSD is a true FreeBSD desktop, with Unix roots that deliver stability few systems can match.
My Suggestion: Try GhostBSD
If you’re frustrated by Linux stability or just curious about a FreeBSD desktop alternative that “just works”, GhostBSD is worth your time.
No OS is perfect, but this one feels like mine. It understands my workflow, respects my time, and reminds me how I came to respect Unix in the first place. While working for IBM in the late 90s, I got introduced to AIX and coming from Atari, I was impressed.
Download GhostBSD, test the XFCE edition, and see what BSD can do when it’s built for users, not sysadmins. Like me, you might discover your next favorite system.
P.S. Huge thanks to the GhostBSD team for proving BSD doesn’t have to be complex. Download it here, and experience a fast OS that works with you instead of against you.