After installation, what next?

[cravuhaw2C]

OK, I managed to install OpenBSD successfully on my first try.

After rebooting and logging in, I am presented with an xterm.

I would appreciate it if you guys were to tell me what packages, in order of priority and usefulness, that I should install?

I wish to learn the best practices for using OpenBSD.

[ibara]

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

OK, I managed to install OpenBSD successfully on my first try.

release or -current? This actually matters, since it will provide different answers to questions later on.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

After rebooting and logging in, I am presented with an xterm.

No, you're presented with FVWM. FVWM happens to give you an xterm when it starts.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

I would appreciate it if you guys were to tell me what packages, in order of priority and usefulness, that I should install?

What are you doing with the machine? Totally useless question otherwise.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

I wish to learn the best practices for using OpenBSD.

I have no idea what this means.

[jggimi]

Originally Posted by ibara

No, you're presented with FVWM. FVWM happens to give you an xterm when it starts.

We have limited information, but based on the questions so far, I am going to bet that cravuhaw2C is not using the X Windows System at all, and instead is asking how to manage from the console at /dev/ttyC0.

[ibara]

Oh, that's a good point.
cravuhaw2C we really need complete information from you.

[cravuhaw2C]

Originally Posted by jggimi

We have limited information, but based on the questions so far, I am going to bet that cravuhaw2C is not using the X Windows System at all, and instead is asking how to manage from the console at /dev/ttyC0.

I apologize if my original post does not contain enough information for you to base your reply on.

On the contrary I would very much like to use the X Windows System (just to clarify: the X Windows System is the graphical user interface, correct? the one which has snazzy icons and the gizmos on the desktop?)

Am I also right to say that even though I selected all the sets during installation, I would still have to manually install the package called xorg? (On Debian, I have to install xorg first before I install gnome-core, lxde-core or Openbox. I understand that xorg includes all the free and open-source drivers of most vendors of video chipsets.)

Excuse me for my poor knowledge of Linux/Debian/Ubuntu/OpenBSD.

[blackhole]

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

I am using OpenBSD 5.5 (amd64, US keyboard). Is it considered release or current?

5.5 is what is referred to as "release".

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

FVWM stands for Fluxvox, right?

No, you can search the web to find out what it stands for - took me about 1 minute.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

iii. Type letters and documents on a Microsoft Word-compatible but free and open-source word processing software.

libreoffice, should be ok?

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(a) change/update the software sources/repositories. On Debian, I would change/update the repositories using sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

When running OpenBSD, it's customary to just read the documentation rather than posting on forums asking for help with every detail. To be clear: I am also a beginner, nowhere near on the skill level of the posters in this thread, I read the documentation on packages and ports on the web and was able to get things set up pretty quickly:

http://www.openbsd.org/faq/faq15.html

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(b) the packages that are considered essential.

I think what's "essential" is already installed in the base system no?

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

On a minimal install of Debian OS, one would sudo apt-get install the following essentials[...]

Those are only essential to you. I would not even consider any of those "essential" on a Debian based system or any system for that matter. The Debian specific stuff will not be available for OpenBSD, for obvious/good reason. Packages are not called the same across different operating systems. The distributions themselves come up with these names. Thus there will be no "gnome-core". etc...

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

What essential packages do I have to install for OpenBSD?

Once you have read the section on packages and ports and played about with the system, you will have more idea as to what you need or if you need it.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(b) chroot/chmod some system files to prevent them from being tampered with.

I think you mean "chown", but I don't know the answer to this one. As far as I know hostname.if permissions get fixed automatically by /etc/netstart - no clue about anything else. It would depend on what you are doing and what you have installed.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(just to clarify: the X Windows System is the graphical user interface, correct? the one which has snazzy icons and the gizmos on the desktop?)

OpenBSD's xorg is known as xenocara. You can easily search the web and read about this and what xorg / x window system is.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

Am I also right to say that even though I selected all the sets during installation, I would still have to manually install the package called xorg?

No, xenocara will be included in the base install if you selected all the sets.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(On Debian, I have to install xorg first before I install gnome-core, lxde-core or Openbox. I understand that xorg includes all the free and open-source drivers of most vendors of video chipsets.)

I don't think it really matters what you had to do in Debian.

Read the packages and ports section and you will be able to install your window manager and other software of choice. First you will need to resolve your other thread and get your network connection working.

[cravuhaw2C]

Originally Posted by cynwulf

...No, you can search the web to find out what it stands for - took me about 1 minute.

FVWM doesn't stand for anything!!!

Originally Posted by cynwulf

libreoffice, should be ok?

I read somewhere on the internet that both LibreOffice and OpenOffice have serious security vulnerabilities.

Are there alternatives to these two?

Originally Posted by cynwulf

When running OpenBSD, it's customary to just read the documentation rather than posting on forums asking for help with every detail.

I did read the documentation, try to understand it and then post questions here when I don't understand what's in there.

Originally Posted by cynwulf

To be clear: I am also a beginner, nowhere near on the skill level of the posters in this thread, I read the documentation on packages and ports on the web and was able to get things set up pretty quickly

You should never use yourself as the yardstick by which to measure other people's standards. In a free and democratic society in which people are democratic, allowances must and always will be made for differences in people's learning abilities and skillsets.

You may have an obvious advantage over me if you have taken up courses in IT, computer science or programming at school or college.

Originally Posted by cynwulf

I think what's "essential" is already installed in the base system no?

I don't know and the FAQs and documentation do not explicity define what's essential.

Originally Posted by cynwulf

Packages are not called the same across different operating systems. The distributions themselves come up with these names. Thus there will be no "gnome-core". etc...

I didn't know that....honestly. It seems that I have to re-learn some of the things when using OpenBSD.

Originally Posted by cynwulf

Once you have read the section on packages and ports and played about with the system, you will have more idea as to what you need or if you need it.

Frankly speaking I don't wish to spend too much time playing with the system. I have plenty of non-IT non-computer stuff to finish up.

[cravuhaw2C]

Originally Posted by ibara

release or -current? This actually matters, since it will provide different answers to questions later on.

I am using OpenBSD 5.5 (amd64, US keyboard). Is it considered release or current?

Originally Posted by ibara

No, you're presented with FVWM. FVWM happens to give you an xterm when it starts.

FVWM stands for Fluxvox, right?

Originally Posted by ibara

What are you doing with the machine?

i. Surf the internet.
ii. Email.
iii. Type letters and documents on a Microsoft Word-compatible but free and open-source word processing software.

Originally Posted by ibara

I have no idea what this means.

By "best practices" I mean the following:

(a) change/update the software sources/repositories. On Debian, I would change/update the repositories using sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

(b) the packages that are considered essential. On a minimal install of Debian OS, one would sudo apt-get install the following essentials:

xorg
gnome-core (or lxde-core/xfce/openbox)
synaptic
gedit
gdebi (which will also install nautilus)
network-manager

What essential packages do I have to install for OpenBSD?

(b) chroot/chmod some system files to prevent them from being tampered with.

What system files on an OpenBSD OS should I chroot/chmod?

[ibara]

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

i. Surf the internet.
ii. Email.
iii. Type letters and documents on a Microsoft Word-compatible but free and open-source word processing software.

OK, great. That's what I was looking for. There's really no way to know if you're looking for a desktop or a server otherwise, and that changes everything.

For i. - all the major browsers are included in the OpenBSD package repository. To install packages, all you have to do is type:

# pkg_add packagename

or, if you've given your user appropriate sudo rights:

$ sudo pkg_add packagename

So you have your Firefox and your Chromium. There are other webkit-based browsers if you find chromium too big for your tastes.

ii. - You have your Thunderbirds, mutts, and other email clients. Pick the one you use and pkg_add it.

iii. - LibreOffice is in ports. As is Abiword, Gnumeric, etc. So you can pkg_add the ones you want. LibreOffice has the advantage of being a full suite.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(a) change/update the software sources/repositories. On Debian, I would change/update the repositories using sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

There is nothing analogous to this on OpenBSD. We have a single package repository, and OpenBSD already knows how to use it. At most, you would need to set PKG_PATH in your .profile, like this:

PKG_PATH=<mirrorname>/pub/OpenBSD/5.5/packages/`machine -a`/

Where <mirrorname> is whichever mirror you choose from the official list:
http://www.openbsd.org/ftp.html#http
Most people choose whichever is geographically closest to them.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(b) the packages that are considered essential. On a minimal install of Debian OS, one would sudo apt-get install the following essentials:

xorg

You already have this: OpenBSD installs X by default.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

gnome-core (or lxde-core/xfce/openbox)

We don't have anything analogous to gnome-core. There is gnome,

$ sudo pkg_add gnome

same with xfce

$ sudo pkg_add xfce4

or openbox

$ sudo pkg_add openbox

There are a lot more window managers; whichever one you like we probably have. Notably, we don't have lxde, MATE, or TDE.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

synaptic

Already installed with X (it is part of X). I have the following line in my .xinitrc file to get my touchpad to click on tap. You may or may not need this:

xinput --set-prop 7 "Synaptics Tap Action" 0 0 0 0 1 3

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

gedit

 $ sudo pkg_add gedit

(Noticing a pattern yet?)
You'll get gedit "for free" if you install gnome.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

gdebi (which will also install nautilus)

I'd never heard of gdebi, so I googled it. It appears to be a GUI package for Debian .deb files. There is no port of that on OpenBSD, notably because it wouldn't do anything. We don't use .deb files, we have our own package tools.

Nautilus would be:

 $ sudo pkg_add nautilus

Like gedit, you get this "for free" when installing gnome. ("For free" is shorthand for "this is a dependency of the other thing so if you install the other thing the package manager will automatically install this to fulfill dependencies.)
The OpenBSD package tools are really smart, and handle all dependencies for you. You tell it what you want, and it does the magic to make it happen and usable.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

network-manager

There aren't any good GUI-based network managers for OpenBSD yet. OpenBSD does its wifi much differently than Linux (things like WPA2 are actually in the kernel in OpenBSD) so those tools don't really know how to handle it. You could write a shell script to make this easier on you; but that only works if you have a list of the wifi access points you connect to and their passwords. Otherwise, you'll be using ifconfig(8) like the rest of us. It's not more difficult, just different.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

What essential packages do I have to install for OpenBSD?

NONE! OpenBSD by default install is a fully functional OS with X already available. Just add onto it whatever programs you want.

Originally Posted by cravuhaw2C

(b) chroot/chmod some system files to prevent them from being tampered with.

What system files on an OpenBSD OS should I chroot/chmod?

None. That would be dangerous. Any OS that requires you to do such a thing doesn't care about you or your security.

[blackhole]

Originally Posted by ibara

Already installed with X (it is part of X). I have the following line in my .xinitrc file to get my touchpad to click on tap. You may or may not need this:

xinput --set-prop 7 "Synaptics Tap Action" 0 0 0 0 1 3

The OP refers to a graphical package management tool for Debian .deb packages rather than the similarly named touchpad hardware.

[shep]

One of the Challenges that has been alluded to by several previous posters is that you have a plethora of options. You could learn how to configure FVWM, utilize the spartan email client and web browser that are all ready provided. Add a word processor and manually add a menu entry in the FVWM config file.

Another option is to install a Full blown Desktop realizing that it comes with some baggage in terms of bloat and security issues. The bare minimun of knowledge you would need is the package installation section in the FAQ. There is a succint, online guide to installing Gnome3 the steps of which are also replicated in the package readmes.
Similiar guides and Readme exist for XFCE4.

I put together a guide to install a simple desktop that is somewhat OS/X like and intuitive to use. It takes more time but you actually see the configs and where they are installed. It even walks you through setting up user shutdown in sudo.