PhxBUG - Phoenix BSD User Group

A lot of users take a look at OpenBSD and want to start using it, but either don't know where to start or are intimidated by it. While OpenBSD is an advanced BSD UNIX operating system, it is not altogether unapproachable and given the right amount of determination, can be easy to learn. The operating system has long been known for having useful and abundant documentation (FAQ, manual pages, etc.) and values simplicity and correctness over snazzy features and complicated overengineering.

The following checklist should help a new user to OpenBSD begin down the path to becoming familiar with the system and putting it to good use:

1. Install OpenBSD. Yes, dive in right away and get it installed. Find an old PC that you can use and dedicate it to OpenBSD. Don't bother trying to dual-boot an existing operating system installation unless you have no other options. The OpenBSD FAQ has an installation guide that you should read through to familiarize yourself with the process. The installation is text-based but benefits from its simplicity. Don't be afraid of botching an installation; start over if you do. Heck, install it 3 or 4 times in a row just to get the hang of it (it doesn't take long.)
2. Read the afterboot(8) manual. The afterboot(8) man page is one of the most informative primers for new system administrators ever written. Reading and referring to the information in afterboot(8) will lead you through the basics of setting up and administering your new OpenBSD system and will get you off to a good start. afterboot(8) also references a number of other UNIX commands' manual pages. It is good to review these resources as well if you are unfamiliar with UNIX.
3. Read, study, learn. OpenBSD is well-documented. FAQs, manual pages, mailing list archives, and even source code are available for users to find out just about anything they could ever want to know about OpenBSD. Although OpenBSD is seldom considered a "newbie-friendly" operating system, it rarely (if ever) leaves the user hanging with no information on a given topic or point of question. Determine up front that you will commit to learning about the OS. Users who put time and effort into learning and researching on their own are richly rewarded, while those who expect the OpenBSD user community to support them first seldom receive the kind of help they are after.
4. Use it. Don't be afraid to put OpenBSD to work for you. It is a complete operating system that is capable of a wide array of uses, including serving as a development environment, providing network services, providing a standard Unix desktop environment, firewalling, routing and VPN, and more. It is known for stability, strong security, and reliability. Decide on what you want it to do for you, learn how to do it, and make it happen.
5. Explore. You can learn a lot about an operating system by exploring the primary configuration files, scripts, and processes that make it work. Take time to read through the rc(8) scripts, the daily(8) scripts, the files in /etc, and more. Not only will you learn about the low-level details of the OS, you'll learn about operating system design and will pick up some useful information that you can reuse in your own scripts.
6. Be patient. As when attempting to learn any new task or concept, learning an operating system such as OpenBSD can take time and patience. It may impose a steeper learning curve than other OSes, and at the same time the learning curve may not be as steep in other areas. Don't expect mastery overnight, and don't get frustrated if you run into difficulties that seem impossible to overcome.

For more information, refer to the following resources:

• The OpenBSD manual pages
• The OpenBSD FAQ
• The OpenBSD misc mailing list archives