The FreeBSD Ports and Packages Collection offers a simple way for users and administrators to install applications. There are currently around 17 000 ports available.
Each 'port' contains any patches necessary to make the original application source code compile and run on FreeBSD.
Installing an application is as simple as downloading the port, unpacking it and typing make in the port directory.
However, the most convenient (and common) method is to download the framework for the entire list of ports by installing the entire ports hierarchy at FreeBSD installation time.
If you didn't install the ports collection during the installation of the operating system, then here's how to do it.
Insert installation CD #1..
sysinstall
configure | distributions
spacebar for [x] ports, tab to OK [ENTER]
CD/DVD | OK
Wait a second or two and sysinstall will extract the ports to the /usr/ports directory..
When it's finished, Exit, Exit.
cd /usr/ports to see them all..
- A.
