Editing FAQ

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This document aims to cover the most frequently asked questions concerning the GhostBSD operating system. Although originally intended to reduce bandwidth and avoid the same old questions being asked over and over again, FAQs have become recognized as valuable information resources.

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Every effort has been made to make this FAQ as informative as possible; if you have any suggestions as to how it may be improved, please feel free to contact us.

== '''Introduction''' == <!--T:3-->

=== What is GhostBSD? === <!--T:4-->

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Briefly, GhostBSD is a [[wikipedia:en:Unix-like|UNIX®-like]] [[wikipedia:en:Operating system|operating system]]. It works on AMD64 and Intel® platforms. GhostBSD is based on [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]], which is based on U.C. Berkeley’s “[[wikipedia:en:4.4BSD|4.4BSD]]-Lite” release, with some “[[wikipedia:en:4.4BSD|4.4BSD]]-Lite2” enhancements. It is also based indirectly on William Jolitz’s port of U.C. Berkeley’s “Net/2” to the i386, known as “[[wikipedia:en:386BSD|386BSD]]”, though very little of the 386BSD code remains. GhostBSD provides a [[GNOME]], [[Mate]], [[Xfce]], [[LXDE]] and [[Openbox]] desktop.

=== Who can use GhostBSD? === <!--T:6-->

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GhostBSD can be used by companies, researchers, computer professionals, students and home users all over the world in their work, education and recreation.

=== What is the goal of the GhostBSD Project? === <!--T:8-->

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The goal of the GhostBSD Project is to combine the ease of use of a set of [[wikipedia:en:GTK|GTK]] [[wikipedia:en:Desktop environment|desktops]] with security and flexibility of the underlying [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]] mechanisms. GhostBSD is a great tool to learn FreeBSD and start one’s adventure in the BSD world. GhostBSD may be used for any purpose and without strings attached.

=== Does the GhostBSD license have any restrictions? === <!--T:10-->

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Yes. Those restrictions do not control how you use the code, merely how you treat the GhostBSD Project itself. If you have serious license concerns, read the actual license. For the simply curious, the license can be summarized like this:
* Do not claim that you wrote this.
* Do not sue us if it breaks.

=== Can GhostBSD replace my current operating system? === <!--T:12-->

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For most users, yes.

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Most people do not actually use an operating system. They use applications, as these are what really makes a computer useful. GhostBSD is designed to provide a [[wikipedia:en:Desktop environment|desktop]] and full-featured environment for applications. It supports a wide variety of web browsers, office suites, email readers, graphics programs, programming environments, network servers, and just about everything else you might want. Most of these applications can be built using the [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD_Ports|FreeBSD Ports Collection]].

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If you need to use an application that is only available on one operating system, you cannot easily replace that operating system (this situation is referred to as [[wikipedia:en:Vendor_lock-in|vendor lock-in]]). However chances are that there is a very similar application on GhostBSD, however. If you want a solid office or internet server, a reliable workstation, or just the ability to do your job without interruptions, GhostBSD will almost certainly do everything you need.

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If you are migrating to GhostBSD from some other [[wikipedia:en:Unix-like|UNIX®-like]] environment, you already know most of what you need to know. If your background is in graphic-driven operating systems such as [[wikipedia:en:Microsoft_Windows|Microsoft Windows®]] and older versions of [[wikipedia:en:OS_X|MacOS®]], expect to invest additional time learning the [[wikipedia:en:Unix|UNIX]] way of doing things.

=== Why is it called GhostBSD? === <!--T:17-->

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GhostBSD was developed as an operating system to hack on Gnome using BSD technology. After a while it became what was referred to as “<tt>Gnome hosted by BSD</tt>”, which means that Gnome is hosted on the FreeBSD system. Now that we support multiple GTK desktops it is more accurate to call it "<tt>GTK hosted by BSD</tt>".

=== What is the latest version of GhostBSD? === <!--T:19-->

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At this point in time, we are at version 10.3 codenamed ''Enoch''.

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Releases are usually made every few months.

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Version 11.0 is next to come, following the release cycle of [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]].

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Many GhostBSD users stay up to date using other mechanisms available to FreeBSD users. You can read about them in the [https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/updating-upgrading.html Chapter ''Updating and Upgrading FreeBSD'' in the FreeBSD Handbook].

=== When are GhostBSD releases made? === <!--T:24-->

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The developers team releases a new version more or less every 8&nbsp;months. GhostBSD follows the release dates of [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]]. A testing period precedes each release in order to ensure that the addition of new features does not compromise the stability of the release.

=== How can I contribute? === <!--T:26-->

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There is a number of ways to contribute to the GhostBSD project:
* If you possess abilities in programming and knowledge of the [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]] operating system, or you simply want to learn these things, you might want to consider joining the team by becoming an active developer. If you are feeling adventurous, you might want to try [[How to build GhostBSD? | building GhostBSD]], but you might as well join our [https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/ghostbsdproject-devel development&nbsp;mailing&nbsp;list] to get in touch with the team and see what work currently has to be done.
* If you are interested in helping from the artistic perspective, you could contribute fan art, logos, wallpapers, or help design/maintain the website layout. In this case, the [https://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/ghostbsdproject-website website&nbsp;mailing&nbsp;list] is something to look on for additional information.
* If you have decent writing skills and know English quite well, you might want to help by writing documents and producing website and wiki content. Get in touch with us on the [https://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/ghostbsdproject-website website&nbsp;mailing&nbsp;list].
* If none of the above apply to you, you might just want to use GhostBSD and tell us about bugs you've discovered and the ideas you have about how to improve the system [http://forums.ghostbsd.org/viewforum.php?f=7 You can report them via forums]. You might also consider simply spreading the word about GhostBSD!

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If you feel like you might be able to help us grow and improve GhostBSD in any of the above ways (or any other way you can come up with), please contact us using [http://forums.ghostbsd.org/ the forums], an [http://ghostbsd.org/irc/ IRC channel] (#ghostbsd on irc.freenode.net) or any of the mailing lists above.

== '''Support''' == <!--T:29-->

=== What’s the best way to get support? === <!--T:30-->

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At this point, the best ways to contact other GhostBSD users or developers are:
* The IRC channels are <code>#ghostbsd</code> and <code>#ghostbsd-dev</code> on irc://irc.freenode.net.
*: You can access the IRC channel [http://ghostbsd.org/irc/ via our web user interface].
* The forums are available at http://forums.ghostbsd.org/.

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[[FAQ]] and [[GhostBSD User Handbook | User Handbook]] are under development. Questions can be answered on the forums and IRC will find their way to this page or the handbook.

=== Where can I find complete information on how to get things done in GhostBSD? === <!--T:33-->

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For the most part, things can be done on GhostBSD the same way they are done on [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD|FreeBSD]]. This is why we encourage our users to check out the great [http://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/ FreeBSD Handbook] in case of any doubts or questions. If the handbook does not cover a specific area of your interest, or it seems GhostBSD differs from FreeBSD in some regard, the forums or IRC channel will probably hold the answers you seek.

== '''Installation''' == <!--T:35-->

=== Where can I get GhostBSD? === <!--T:36-->

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Every release image of GhsotBSD is available via [https://sourceforge.net/projects/ghostbsdproject/files/release/ SourceForge] site:
* The latest releases images can be found on the [http://ghostbsd.org/download/ Download] page.
* Our Torrent file are available from [http://www.gotbsd.net GotBSD] or from the [http://www.ghostbsd.org/torrent project page] (currently not up to date). 
* You can also buy GhostBSD DVDs and USB flash drives from [http://www.osdisc.com/products/ghostbsd?affiliate=ghostbsd OSDisc.com].

=== How do I create a bootable USB pendrive? === <!--T:38-->

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Up to version 4.0 separate USB images (with the ''.img'' extension) existed that were suitable for USB flash drives. Since version 10.1, GhostBSD releases so-called ''hybrid ISOs'' which can either be burned on a DVD or written on a flash drive. Select your preferred desktop and the right architecture and download the ISO. After downloading compare the checksum (optional) and write the content of the iso on a flash drive using one of the methods described below. Since the image itself can be slightly above 2&nbsp;GB in size, we suggest you use at least a 4&nbsp;GB pendrive.

==== On Linux ==== <!--T:40-->

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Here's an example using the console (use the filename of your ISO and make sure you replace the "sdX" with the right device's name!). The following command needs root privileges (issue as user ''root'' or using ''sudo''):
: <code>dd if=''GhostBSD10.3-RELEASE-20160829-213046-mate-amd64.iso'' of=/dev/''sdX'' bs=1M</code>

==== On BSD ==== <!--T:42-->

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Here's an example using the console (use the filename of your ISO and make sure you replace the "daX" with the right device's name!). The following command needs root privileges (issue as user ''root'' or using ''sudo''):
: <code>dd if=''GhostBSD10.3-RELEASE-20160829-213046-mate-amd64.iso'' of=/dev/''daX'' bs=1m</code>

==== On Windows ==== <!--T:44-->

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This solution comes from the [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromImgFiles#Windows Ubuntu help site], but it applies to GhostBSD as well. You can use one of two tools to create a bootable pendrive on Windows.

===== Graphical tool on Windows ===== <!--T:46-->

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# Download the desired ISO file
# Download the ''Disk Imager'' from http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
# Insert your flash media
# Note the drive letter assigned to your flash media
# Start ''Disk Imager''
# Select the downloaded file and target device, and click "<tt>Write</tt>"
# Remove your flash media when the operation is complete

===== Command prompt tool on Windows ===== <!--T:48-->

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# Download the desired ISO file
# Download ''flashnul'' from http://shounen.ru/soft/flashnul
# Attach your USB drive
# Run flashnul -p
# Note the physical device number for the USB drive
# Run flashnul <number obtained in prior step> -L \path\to\downloaded.iso
# Answer "<tt>yes</tt>" if the selected destination device is correct
# Remove your USB drive when the command finished

==== Conclusion ==== <!--T:50-->

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After completing the above steps, the pendrive should hold a bootable GhostBSD system. Just reboot your machine and make sure you boot from the USB - it should then start a live session.

=== Where are the instructions for installing GhostBSD? === <!--T:52-->

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Installation instructions for versions beginning with GhostBSD 3.1 can be found in the handbook entry on [[Installing GhostBSD]].

== '''Software Installation''' == <!--T:54-->

=== How do I install new software? === <!--T:55-->

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In GhostBSD software can be installed in three different ways:
* [[OctoPkg]] is a GTK+ based tool to manage (search, install and uninstall) binary packages on BSD systems.
* FreeBSD's package manager [[PKG]] can be used to manage packages using the command line. (In versions before 10.x, the old pkg_* tools were used which worked slightly differenty.)
* [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD_Ports|FreeBSD Ports]] is one of the most useful and unique features of FreeBSD compared to most Linux distributions. If installed, it can be found under /usr/ports and contains the Makefiles (think "recipes" if you are new to this concept) used to automatically build (fetch source code, configure, compile, install) a vast amount of software. A menu-driven system allows you to tweak compile options which makes this an easy to use but extremely flexible method of installing software.

=== Can I use Linux software on my GhostBSD system? === <!--T:57-->

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First, you should know that most "Linux" software is really ''open source'' software. That is, it is freely available for many operating systems, not just Linux. There are some programs that make use of Linux exclusive features (we call those ''Linuxisms'') that won't run anywhere else. A very high amount of popular projects however care for ''portability'' and make sure that their software will build and work on multiple operating systems.

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Even if the program that you are looking for is not available as a package it can probably be built on GhostBSD. Just give it a try if you know how to compile software yourself. You can always ask on the forums if you need help. Somebody in the community might be able to help you. If you get the program to work, tell us! If you want the program to be available as a package in the future, a [[wikipedia:en:FreeBSD_Ports|port]] needs to be created for it. For a lot of programs this is not too hard to do and the FreeBSD community is very welcoming towards new porters.

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Like FreeBSD, GhostBSD provides something called Linux Binary Compatibility (or the ''Linuxulator''). In a nutshell, that means you can run many Linux applications as-is. This [http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/linuxemu.html section] of the FreeBSD Handbook explains Linux Compatibility in more detail and describes what to do when things don't work.

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Unlike vanilla FreeBSD however, you do not have to setup Linux Binary Compatibility yourself. GhostBSD comes with Linux Compatibility already configured for you and it should "just work". You may want to install the '''linux_base-c6''' though that provides a lot of basic Linux libraries that might be needed by a lot of Linux applications. If your program needs any other libraries you'll have to provide them by manually copying them in (see [https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/linuxemu-lbc-install.html this section] of the FreeBSD handbook).

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Using GhostBSD 10.3 or later, it is even possible to run ''64 bit'' Linux binaries. Don't get too excited about the Linuxulator, though. In general it does provide a means of running Linux applications on GhostBSD. However the kernel that it mimics (currently 2.6.18) is more than 10 years old. Depending on what program you want to run chances are that you'll run into errors like "FATAL: kernel too old".

=== Does GhostBSD Support Adobe Flash plugin? === <!--T:63-->

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Yes, but a native Adobe® Flash® plugin is not available for GhostBSD. However, a software wrapper for running the Linux® version of the plugin is available. This wrapper also provides support for other browser plugins such as RealPlayer®.

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Look [[Installing Adobe Flash Plugin]]

== '''System and software updates''' == <!--T:66-->

=== How should I update GhostBSD to latest FreeBSD updates? === <!--T:67-->

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GhostBSD supports freebsd-update command line to update the FreeBSD base system.

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: <code>freebsd-update fetch install</code>

== '''Network''' == <!--T:70-->

Preliminary Reading and set of Manual bring up Instructions  [http://www.wonkity.com/~wblock/docs/html/wireless.html  Wireless Instructions for FreeBSD]  
=== Why my WiFi don't work? === <!--T:71-->

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Look if ''wlan0'' is configured.
: <code>cat /etc/rc.conf | grep wlan0</code>

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If you have an output similar to:
<pre>
wlans_run0="wlan0"
ifconfig_wlan0="WPA DHCP"
</pre>
Your WiFi is configured, but it might be down.
: <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 up</code>
Now it should work.

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If you have no output, this mean the GhostBSD network configuration system have not detected your WiFi card. The next step for you will be to look if GhostBSD have your WiFi drivers install. Do you have your kernel wifi driver loaded?  check your loaded kernel modules.
: <code>sudo kldstat</code>
List your PCI bus devics <code>sudo pciconf -lv </code>  List your USB  devices <code>lsusb</code>
Check your interface connections for 802.11 wireless.
: <code>sudo ifconfig | grep -B 3 802.11</code>
In this case run0 is the WiFi drivers.
<pre>
run0: flags=8843<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> metric 0 mtu 2290
       ether 00:1e:e5:e6:5d:1
       nd6 options=29<PERFORMNUD,IFDISABLED,AUTO_LINKLOCAL>
       media: IEEE 802.11 Wireless Ethernet autoselect mode 11a
</pre>
If you have an output similar from the example above, you need to configure the file ''/etc/rc.conf''.
: <code>sudo ee /etc/rc.conf</code>
Add those line in the file ''/etc/rc.conf'' (Replace run0 by your drivers).
<pre>
wlans_run0="wlan0"
ifconfig_wlan0="WPA DHCP"
</pre>
[[wikipedia:en:Esc key|Esc]] and save the file. Now you need to restart <code>netif</code>.
: <code>sudo /etc/rc.d/netif restart</code>
Your wifi is now configured, you might have to turn wlan0 up.
: <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 up</code>

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If you have no output with <code>sudo ifconfig | grep -B 3 802.11</code>, this can mean your WiFi kernel Module is not compile in GhostBSD or your WiFi card is not yet supported by FreeBSD. Please fill out a [http://ghostbsd.org/problem_report problem report form] this will help us to make GhostBSD better.

=== Why the WiFi Network Manager don't work? === <!--T:76-->

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You might look at [[#Why my WiFi don't work?]] (from above). If you have your WiFi Configured and the WiFi Network Manager still not working.
: <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 scan</code>
You should have something similar to this:
<pre>
SSID/MESH ID    BSSID              CHAN RATE   S:N     INT CAPS
rogerwifi       bc:14:01:e6:33:48    1   54M -23:-42  100 EP   WPS HTCAP WPA RSN WME
-               bc:14:01:e6:33:49    1   54M -20:-38  100 EP   HTCAP RSN WME
WLAN_6EF1       00:13:f7:c4:6e:f3   11   54M -12:-21  200 ES  
BSDHacker       5c:d9:98:69:df:2e   11   54M -15:-27  100 EP   HTCAP WPA WME WPS
</pre>
If not, Create a new wlan device (Replace run0 by your drivers; like rtwn0 or urtwn0 ). 
: <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 create wlandev run0</code> 
If not <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 up scan</code> should do it. Now you can setup to your network. From above you have none encrypted and encrypted WiFi network.

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For a none encrypted WiFi network add the following to the file ''/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf''.
<pre>
network={
        ssid="WLAN_6EF1"
        bssid=00:13:f7:c4:6e:f3
        key_mgmt=NONE
}
</pre>
For an encrypted WiFi network add the following to the file ''/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf''.
<pre>
network={
        ssid="BSDHacking"
        bssid=5c:d9:98:69:df:2e
        key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
        proto=WPA
        psk="yourpasword"
}
</pre>
For more completed documentation see [http://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/network-wireless.html Wireless Networking].

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If <code>sudo ifconfig wlan0 up scan</code> still not scanning, please fill out a [http://ghostbsd.org/problem_report problem report form] this will help us to make GhostBSD better.

== '''Hardware''' == <!--T:80-->

=== Does GhostBSD support the [[wikipedia:en:3D acceleration|3D acceleration]] of my graphics card? === <!--T:81-->

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It depends on the hardware of your graphics card, to have support by GhostBSD (or not).<ref>[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/x-config.html#idp63187920 FreeBSD Handbook: Xorg Configuration#Caveats]</ref>

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; ATI/Radeon:
: 3D acceleration will not work on [[wikipedia:en:ATI Technologies|ATI]] or [[wikipedia:en:Radeon|Radeon]] cards until FreeBSD completes its [[wikipedia:Translation Table Maps|TTM]]<ref>[https://wiki.freebsd.org/Graphics#Kernel_drivers FreeBSD Wiki: Graphics#Kernel drivers]</ref> work (possibly in time for FreeBSD&nbsp;10.0)<ref>[https://wiki.freebsd.org/Ports/X11/Roadmap FreeBSD Wiki: Ports/X11/Roadmap]</ref>. You can still use these cards, but you will have to choose the 2D driver, and if that does not work, you will need to resort to using the Vesa driver.
; Intel:
: GhostBSD supports 3D acceleration on most Intel graphics cards. Due to the current [[wikipedia:en:kernel mode-setting|KMS]] support<sup>[https://wiki.freebsd.org/Intel_GPU]</sup>, you will not be able to switch between the graphical console and a virtual console (using <tt>[[wikipedia:en:Ctrl key|Crtl]]</tt>+<tt>[[wikipedia:en:Alt key|Alt]]</tt>+<tt>[[wikipedia:en:Function key|F#]]</tt>) when using the "sc" console driver.
: Switching between graphics and text consoles will work when using the "vt" console driver, and GhostBSD right now default to "vt" console.
; Nvidia Graphics:
: Yes! But [https://svnweb.freebsd.org/ports/head/x11/nvidia-driver/ nvidia-driver] must be loaded.<sup>[https://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/articles/compiz-fusion/nvidia-setup.html]</sup> The software can be installed easily, for example by using the (bxPKG/pkg) [[Package Manager]] or using ports as described on this page [[Nvidia driver installation]].

== References == <!--T:84-->
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