GhostBSD 22.06: Classic desktop meets Unix-like OS

The free operating system GhostBSD for x64 systems based on Unix relies on the FreeBSD system kernel and a classic user interface in the form of the MATE 1.26 desktop environment. The latest version has improved handling of Nvidia graphics drivers and Broadcom Wi-Fi hardware.

FreeBSD 13.0 and MATE 1.26 as base

The Berkeley software distribution (BSD) is a variant of the free Unix operating system under the open source license CDDL by Sun Microsystems and serves as the basis for the current release of GhostBSD 22.06, which in turn is FreeBSD 13.1 and no longer its derivative TrueOS – formerly PC-BSD – used.

GhostBSD 22.06 with MATE 1.26 (Image: GhostBSD) GhostBSD 22.06 can optionally also be used with Xfce 4.16.0 instead of MATE, but the project itself focuses its free OS entirely on the MATE Desktop Environment, which was created as a fork of Gnome . Basic and lineage workspace and desktop

• MATE Desktop Environment 1.26.0
• Xfce 4.16.0

Operating system kernel init software

• OpenRC for Unix-like computer operating systems

release model

• Fixed with fixed release cycles

Package updates

• GhostBSD comes “out of the box” with the latest package versions for the release.
• Applications such as the open source browser Chromium 102.0 and the free email client Thunderbird 91.10 are up to date.
• LibreOffice 7.3 serves as the office suite, while the free graphics stack Mesa 3D comes in version 21.3.

The classic desktop operating system also comes with the latest version 3.0.4.17 of the VLC Media Player and with the open source image editing programs Krita 5.0.8 and GIMP 2.10.32.

GhostBSD alongside Windows, macOS, and Linux

Since the release of GhostBSD 20.02, the graphical installer can also create partitions with: ZFS file system create partitions next to existing Windows, macOS, or Linux partitions so that GhostBSD can also run smoothly on multi-boot systems.

Support for AMD, Nvidia, and Broadcom

The upgrade to the FreeBSD 13.1-Stable system kernel also improves support for AMD and Nvidia graphics drivers and Broadcom Wi-Fi hardware.

Some of the improvements include automation on the live CD to install the correct Nvidia driver, and when a package fails to upgrade, Update Station will reinstall it and resume the update. I’ve added the BWN_GPL_PHY option to our default GENERIC kernel to compile drivers containing GPLv2 code. Now most Broadcom devices are detected, including my iMac. GhostBSD Team

With the help of the revised graphical front-end “Software Station”, missing applications and drivers can be installed quickly and easily if necessary. Notify the developers about all further changes to GhostBSD 22.06 in the official Release Notes a multilingual Wiki is intended to assist those transitioning to the first steps under the Unix operating system. The YouTube channel MichlFranken, specializing in Linux and open source, shows how GhostBSD performs as a desktop operating system in everyday use.