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The underpinnings of the Graphical User Interface come in the form of XFree86, an open source implementation of the X Windows System. Truth be told, this is the step that most frequently scares away new users, as configuring X is undoubtedly the toughest part of the FreeBSD install. Moving the mouse too early can cause errors. Specifying the wrong horizontal and veritical sync range on your monitor can freeze the install. Pressing "OK" before you've got the proper settings specified can send you on a goose chase that might leave you stuck at 800 x 600 for days while you attempt to reconfigure without reinstalling. With my Linux tested Belkin Omni switchbox, even on my most recent install, I had serious troubles getting the mouse daemon to work, and I'm told I'm not alone in this. However, for the average user, using a single PC, this shouldn't be an issue. My hardware, mainstream but not cutting edge, has never caused a problem other than this. However, I have more than once found myself with an X server out of alignment with my monitor. When you get the X server configured, you'll find there is an X tuner included as well. While these tools are meant to maximize your video capabilities, my experience has been that the X tuner causes more problems than it solves. Use them carefully, quickly, and sparingly. My new method of dealing with X configuration is "Once it's good enough, I move on."

I was unable, after poking around for about 5 minutes, to get the OS to default to the GUI on boot, which most workstations should. It turns out it wasn't that inconvenient to login and #startx to launch the X server. There are ports of just about anything you need - offices applications, browsers, audio applications, servers, and thousands of other apps of which you will likely use about 6 regularly, but having them there is of comfort to me, and will be to you. Unlike Windows, when you start up FreeBSD and launch into the GUI, you will be greeted by a confusing start menu that, strangely, is less intimidating than encouraging. Linux users will recognize it as it's a port of the same software. For those new to a non-Windows OS, there are quite a few changes, but most of the action in the GUI is fairly intuitive. Right clicking the desktop will bring you menus that are logical and highly used. Clicking the icon in the lower left will bring you to all purpose menus. Window navigation is comparable to Windows Explorer. FreeBSD, however, can utilize the third button on a mouse (it can emulate the third with a "both-click" if your mouse only has two buttons).

1. "Which *BSD is right for me?"
2. "Installation"
3. "Configuring the X Server"
4. "Interlude: Some UNIX For Newbies"
5. "FreeBSD at First Glance"
6. "Applications and Conclusion"