UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi guys,


if I want to have a complete working freeBSD with lots of apps including the GNOME interface etc, how much space do I need to have on a partition?

Every time I installed freebsd 5.1 and afterwards I wanted to install some extra apps through sysinstall I got the error that my file system was full.

I chose standard installation with the ports selection. The partition was 2.5 gb.


Thanks in advance!

Hi Dalma

2.5g is just not enough space if your wanting to run X. I'm currently running FreeBSD 4.8 and I'm using it as a workstation, has X installed, prints, has sound etc. This is on a 7gig partition.
My gateway/router doesn't have X or any of the desktop application and is sitting on a 4gig HD. I've installed some applications but not many and it takes up just on half of the disk space.

You can put FreeBSD on a 2.5g drive, you'll just be cutting a lot of things out of it to get it to work.

What did you want to use it for, workstation or server?

Hi BSeanD,

this was my first post here https://www.unix.com/unix-for-dummies-questions-and-answers/10466-ms-dork-needs-learn-unix-4-days-m-i.html?s=

I always wanted to learn unix/linux but never had the time. Now I have to learn at least the basics till tuesday for my new job .

I am not sure whether companies use workstation or server and just the "dos" screen or the complete gui interface.

I just wanted to install (i guess) workstation with a gui and work with all the different commands as well.


The problem is, I am installing it on my dell notebook. It's only a 20 Gig Harddrive, 2 paritions are for windows xp, but I can try and repartition it.

Would 5 to 7 gig be enough, or should i go for 10?

Thanks for the replies!

5 to 7 gig would be just fine for a workstation. I'm running mine on 7gig.

Most companies wont use Unix as a desktop they mainly use if for servers.
If you do find a place that runs Unix as a desktop then it'll more than likely be Linux.