The three spaces were put into the first empty line. “Hi” is on the second line of my comment.

Regards

I have inserted three spaces in the first line of my comment, just to check what it will yield as far as WP is concerned. And – surprise(!) – I can see no attachments to Hi!

Regards

Let me start with my own suggestions and remarks having some journalistic experience with information as a whole.

1. Suggestions

http://wiki.pcbsd.org/index.php/PC-BSD_Users_Handbook#Reasons for using PC-BSD

1.1 Emphasize short points (in existing paragraphs):

- h/w autodetection, point-and-click installation
- immune to virus infection
- FreeBSD stability (ekhm, not with KDE, alas…)
- PBI software package management’s simplicity

1.2 Remark
a. in the Reasons for using PC-BSD chapter, “safe, secure and stable” repeats in 2nd and 3d paragraphs.

2. General remarks

2.1 Handbook is too long, it’s hard to hit a topic using vertical slider.

2.2 Underline “unique features” in chapter’s title not in text:
“PC-BSD’s unique features” (instead of present “PC-BSD’s features”)

2.3 Change chapters’ sequence into the following one and 1) remove repetitions in contents and 2) put accents in titles differently underlining PC-BSD uniqueness:
from
# 1.1 Welcome to PC-BSD
# 1.2 Differences between PC-BSD and FreeBSD
# 1.3 Microsoft Windows and PC-BSD
# 1.4 PC-BSD’s goals
# 1.5 Reasons for using PC-BSD
# 1.6 PC-BSD’s features
to
# 1.1 Welcome to PC-BSD
# 1.3 PC-BSD and Microsoft Windows
# 1.5 (Compelling/Sound) Reasons for using PC-BSD
# 1.6 PC-BSD’s (unique) features
# 1.2 Differences between PC-BSD and FreeBSD
# 1.4 PC-BSD’s (development) goals

2.4 Extract VirtualBox chapter to chapters’ main level or into stand-alone chapter/section (better IMHO), then

explain HOW EASY IT IS a TOOL TO CHECK/TEST PC-BSD __WITHOUT__ a RISK of DAMAGING WINDOWS PARTITION(S), then

expand on VBox usage under Linux and MS Windows more than now (e.g. that automatic selection of disk controller in VBox Storage section for PC-BSD (FreeBSD) is misleading and first user must remove all the settings and only then he will be able to select correct controller (e.g. ,etc…)

I do not understand why BSD/Linux distribution authors pay more attention to install their system on HDD for __testing it__ and putting Windows users at risk of losing their data, than to show how to use VBox (very, very easy in installations and excellent for testing new operating system without interferences into users’ existing file systems).

Let PC-BSD be the first to TAKE CARE of MS WINDOWS users SERIOUSLY (expose it in red:-) ).

2.5 Put in order the KDE menu mess

A lot of prospective users ask for other “Windows” – GNOME, XFCE, etc. I assume KDE is PC-BSD’s “sine qua none”. I think it would be a nice gesture for them (and beginning users too) to put in order the KDE menu mess.

Create main menu with “Other” directories in every option. For example – option Internet should contained FireFox, Opera, e-mail client, IRC, “what you think it should be there”, and “Other (apps)” (with or w/o apps) where other, more complex or specific applications for more advanced users would be kept. At present KDE menu is replete with all sorts of KDE apps (looks like full gamut of KDE apps) and looks like a gutter with all things able to flow in it.

BTW. I started to put the KDE menu mess in order according to what I wrote above but PC-BSD didn’t allow me to save new settings – didn’t I have enough permissions? I have to check it once more. More on this later, then.

That PC-BSD documentation needs a broader revamp is beyond any doubts. Nearly Byzantine lavishness in PC-BSD docs was(is?) discouraging for potential users, the more so if it was full of repetitions.

Think it over, as well, the idea of concise “PC-BSD Primer for Impatient Users” and general “PC-BSD Handbook”.

My best regards,
Przemysław Pawełczyk

I’ve heard that significant changes are in the works for 9.0 to make this even easier. For example, accessing the ports/packages outside of the ports jail is currently an exercise in gymnastics…

What is POLA?

I am glad to hear that other sites were pointing to it! If you’re aware of any we can contact them and ask them to update their links….