first CD-ROM and network-wide FreeBSD distribution was FreeBSD 1.0, released in December 1993. It was based on Berkeley's 4.3BSD-Lite "Net/2" tape, with additional components from 386BSD and the Free Software Foundation.

Walnut Creek CDROM played a substantial early role by distributing FreeBSD on CD-ROM and by providing hardware, network access and employment for project members, including Hubbard and Greenman. The company also sponsored conferences and published FreeBSD books such as Greg