Linux distribution HOWTO
The Linux Distribution HOWTO (latest version in
http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/ ) states some facts about Debian, it is quite uptodate (last
updated August the 13th) but it is mistaken in the number of packages of Debian, as well as
current maintainers.
I have not e-mailed the author Eric S. Raymond <esr@thyrsus.com>, myself since I felt
more "official" members of Debian should do this.
The exact words are (almost accurate):
" Provider's Description:
Debian Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a high-quality
non-commercial Linux distribution. Debian Linux 2.0 is a complete and
fully-functional Unix-compatible operating system for the personal computer. The
system uses ELF executables and libc6 (unlikeprevious Debian versions, which used
libc5). At present, Debian Linux is available for the IBM PC architecture
(386/486/Pentium) with versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha architectures well under
way.
Debian Linux is an easy-to-upgrade distribution that mostly consists of freely
redistributable software from a number of different sources and systems. Support
for shadow passwords is available, although it should be considered experimental in
the 1.1 release. Non-free packages may also obtained, making Debian a well-rounded
system.
The benefits of Debian Linux are its upgradability, well-defined dependencies
between packages, and its open development. It is the only distribution of Linux
that is being developed co-operatively by many individuals through the Internet, in
the same spirit as Linux and other open-source operating systems. More than 100
package maintainers are working on about 500 packages and improving Debian Linux. A
sophisticated bug tracking system allows users to easily report bugs and security
Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution. Snap-shot releases
are made about every three months, the ftp archives are updated
daily.
For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to the
files at <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/> or visit our World
Wide Web page at <http://www.debian.org/>.
If you're interested in joining this project you are invited to
subscribe to either debian-user@lists.debian.org or debian-
devel@lists.debian.org by sending a mail to debian-user-
request@lists.debian.org (or debian-devel-request respectively)
with the word "help" in the subject line.
"
It seems the author just modified Debian 1.3 in earlier versions to Debian 2.0.. he should be
more careful :) Please note that the HOWTO of the package doc-linux is out of date (just
submitted a bug >:), but feel free to check this statements with older ones... they are
identical, save for the difference above noted...
On the other hand it names Debian as "Debian Linux distribution", I feel it should rather be
"Debian GNU/Linux distribution" but that is only my thoughts and I might be wrong...
Regards
Javi
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