Re: Possible New User - Intro
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On Tue, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:22:55AM -0600, Kevin Monceaux wrote:
> Fellow Debian Enthusiasts,
>
<snip arch-vs-linux-debate>
<howto-build-a-arch-package>
>
> The package is built and a package file is created that can be installed via
> the standard package manger.
If something is already 'debianize' (Debian source package format) then
with the help of Roberto Sanchez's HOWTO, it should not be so hard.
Debian is meant to be a binary distro but has support for rebuilding
packages with other options. Beyond that, you can learn about building
Debian packages from the Developers documentation and the Debian mentors
website and mailing list.
<about clip>
<about hercules>
> another try. With a little searching I learned that the "stable" release is
> still WAY behind the times(it still has Hercules 2.17.1-2, and Hercules 3.x
> has been out for years) but that Etch is fairly current and stable enough
> for my purposes. So, I downloaded a netinst CD and installed Debian under
> VMWare.
Debian has 3 streams: stable, testing (meant for creating the next
stable) and unstable (where every new bugfix goes). Stable is meant for
running an enterprise 24/7. Running testing or unstable is riskier and
is not meant for beginners because it requires you to fix stuff. But
people run testing or unstable becuase they need newer stuff and can
handle the risk. Stable can never be 'up-to-date' because is has
undergone 1 year or so of user testing -- this makes it enterprise ready
while unstable is day-old software aka not-ready-for-prime-time. Debian
give _you_ the choice. There is also an unoffical repo for
Debian Stable-compatible more up-to-date software called backports.org.
At the moment, Sarge is the current stable but Etch (the next stable) is
nearing release (aka Freeze), so either could be a good pick.
<why debian is best>
> with the process. So, if the latest version of Hercules doesn't appear in
> Etch soon I could probably update the package for personal use myself. Does
> Debian have a "version bump" request system?
Debian has its all-singing-all-dancing BTS aka bug tracking system at
bugs.debian.org. There you can request:
RFP - request for package (software not in Debian)
ITP - Intent to package (you have created software for Debian)
You can also go to the bug page of existing software and register a
wishlist bug to ask for a new version. go to:
bugs.debian.org/YOUR_PACKAGE
or use the 'reportbug' package in Debian to do the same thing at the
console.
Also, if you want to make a package for yourself, you can get help from
Debian mentors project. There you can also upload your package for
others to use and if you get a bit more ambitious, you can ask to
co-maintain the package as non-Debian developers can maintain packages
provided that someone in Debian looks them over (aka Sponsorship).
Cheers,
Kev (a namesake)
- --
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