PC-BSDThe current stable release of PC-BSD available for download is version 8.1. Version 8.2 is due sometime very early next year (mid to late January is the likely release time frame), and version 9 much later. A snapshot release of version 9 has just been made available for download and testing. SysInstaller, PC-BSD’s installation program, will pack more features than the current version. This article will showcase those features.

Firstly, SysInstaller on PC-BSD 9 will have the Network Time Protocol enabled by default. And you will be able to set the hostname, something that is not possible with the current installer. If you fail to set the hostname, your computer’s hostname will be something like pcbsd-1777
pcbsd9

The old installation methods will still be available. You will be able to do a fresh install, upgrade or perform a restore from a backup. And you will still be able to install a FreeBSD server.
pcbsd10

You will be able to select file system types just by clicking a radio button. ZFS is one of those options.
pcbsd11

KDE 4 will still be the default desktop environment, but you will be able to choose from GNOME, LXDE, Xfce.
pcbsd13

And Awesome, Enlightenment, and Window Maker.
pcbsd15