From: b...@pixar.com (Bruce Perens)
Subject: Debian Linux Distribution Release 1.1 Now Available
Date: 1996/06/18
Message-ID: <4q4rtu$gl7@pixar.com>
X-Deja-AN: 160724083
organization: Debian Linux Distribution
keywords: Debian Linux Distribution 1.1
newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.setup
Software in the Public Interest
Presents
*** Debian Linux 1.1 ***
Debian is a free-software Linux system. It is entirely free to use and
re-distribute, and there is no consortium membership or payment
required to participate in its distribution and development. The
developers are 100 unpaid volunteers from all over the world who
collaborate via the Internet. We have formed the organization "Software
in the Public Interest" to sponsor this development.
There are 474 software packages in Debian. You can find a list and
descriptions of them at http://www.debian.org/debian/FTP . We also
distribute an additional 50 non-free software packages in the
"non-free" directory of our FTP archive.
The Debian 1.1 system features the Linux 2.0 kernel and all-ELF
executables, and can be favorably compared with the very best
commercial Linux and Unix distributions. A distinguishing feature of
Debian is the most sophisticated package system in the industry. The
package tools help you install, upgrade, or delete individual system
components while your system is running. Because Debian provides
upgrade-in-place capability, there is never a need to wipe out your old
system and start fresh when performing an upgrade.
The package system is based on "dependencies". For example, the "gcc" C
compiler package depends on another package called "binutils" that
includes the linker and assembler. If you ask to install "gcc", the
package system will point out that you also need "binutils", and will
install it if you approve. The package tool can even automatically
retrieve the programs you've requested via FTP.
There is a port of Debian 1.1 to 68k processors in progress at present,
and ports to Alpha, Sparc, and MIPS are expected after this.
Currently there are two versions of the Debian distribution: "1.1", and
the "development" version. "1.1" is stable software, and will not
change. The development version is updated continuously, and you can
retrieve packages from the "development" archive on our FTP sites and
use them to upgrade your system at any time. Approximately three months
from today, the "development" software will have been stabilized and
made into Debian 1.2. Further relases will follow at three-month
intervals.
Besides being an excellent full-featured stand-alone Linux system.
Debian is also a base upon which value-added Linux distributions can be
built. By providing a reliable, full-featured base system, Debian
provides Linux users with increased compatibility, and allows Linux
distribution creators to eliminate duplication-of-effort and focus on
the things that make their distribution special.
Debian was created by Ian Murdock in 1993, and Ian's work was sponsored
for one year by FSF's GNU project. Debian should be considered a direct
descendent of the GNU system. The goals of the Debian developers
correspond to those of the Free Software movement, however we are a
separate organization from FSF.
FTP Sites:
You can retrieve Debian 1.1 from these sites:
Australia:
ftp://ftp.debian.org.au/debian/Debian-1.1/
Germany:
ftp://ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de:/pub/os/linux/debian/Debian-1.1/
The Netherlands:
ftp://ftp.leidenuniv.nl:/pub/linux/debian/Debian-1.1/
Sweden:
ftp://ftp.lh.umu.se/debian/Debian-1.1/
United Kingdom:
ftp://ftp.mcc.ac.uk/pub/linux/distributions/Debian/Debian-1.1/
United States:
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/Debian-1.1/
ftp://sun10.sep.bnl.gov/pub/Linux/debian/Debian-1.1/ (non-working hours EDT)
ftp://llug2.sep.bnl.gov/pub/debian/Debian-1.1/
ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/mirrors/debian/Debian-1.1/
ftp://debian.crosslink.net/pub/debian/Debian-1.1/
ftp://debian.med.miami.edu/debian/Debian-1.1/
ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/distributions/debian/Debian-1.1/
There are about a dozen other mirror sites that have not caught up with
our master site yet. I'll announce them when they are ready. You can
find a list of all of our mirrors on our WWW page.
The installation floppy disk images and a full installation manual are
in the "disks-i386" subdirectory on these sites. The rest of the
software packages are in the "binary-i386" subdirectory.
Web Site
Visit our web site http://www.debian.org/ for more information about
Debian.
Mailing Lists
To subscribe to the mailing lists, send the word "subscribe" to one of
these addresses:
debian-user-REQU...@lists.debian.org
There are a lot of experienced users on this list who can answer
any question you might have. There can be 20 messages a day or more
on this list.
debian-announce-REQU...@lists.debian.org
Major system announcements. Averages less than one message per week.
debian-changes-REQU...@lists.debian.org
This is a list for announcements of new package uploads for the Debian
system. It may carry several announcements in a day.
Questions and Answers
Q: How should Debian be compared to other Linux systems?
A: Debian is at least as good as any other Linux distribution, even the
most professional. Debian's most important feature is it's package
system, which allows the entire system, or any individual component, to
be up-graded in place without reformatting, without losing custom
configuration files, and (in most cases) without rebooting the system.
Red Hat, which we consider to be the best non-Debian system available,
is the only other distribution with a similar upgrade mechanism. One
major difference between us and Red Hat is that Red Hat is a for-profit
business, and Debian is a non-profit organization. Both distributions
share a dedication to free software. We like the people at Red Hat, we
admire the work they've done, and we see no reason to put down their
system in order to promote our own.
Debian's aim is to work together with other Linux developers rather
than compete with them. For example, we encourage all creators of Linux
distributions to take components from Debian. We are aware of the
parallel work that Red Hat has done on packaging systems, and would
like to come to some sort of package merge with them.
Q: Is Debian able to run my old a.out programs?
A: We provide packages containing the a.out shared libraries and an
a.out development system, so that you can run and _maintain_ a.out
programs as well as ELF. However, if you have a commercial application
in the a.out format, now would be a good time to ask them to send you
an ELF upgrade.
Q: How compatible is Debian?
A: We communicate with other Linux distribution creators in an effort
to maintain binary compatibility across Linux distributions. Most
commercial Linux products run as well under Debian as they do on the
system upon which they were built.
Q: What about the Free Software Foundation's GNU Project?
A: FSF is still planning a GNU operating system which is based on
HURD. We think they considered Debian as a first step toward this
system. We still encourage them to derive from Debian. We had a more
formal relationship with FSF some time ago, in that they employed Ian
Murdock for a year while he was project leader, and we then called the
system "Debian GNU/Linux". We still support the goals of FSF and like
to think of Debian as "Son of GNU". However, we've separated our
organization from FSF so that we can have exclusive control over our
technical direction. We are still talking with FSF, and may soon come
to some sort of resolution with them.
Q: Can I make and sell Debian CDs?
A: Go ahead. You don't need permission to distribute anything we've
_released_, so that you can master your CD as soon as the beta-test
ends. You don't have to pay us anything. We will, however, publish a
list of CD manufacturers who donate money, software, and time to the
Debian project, and we'll encourage users to buy from manufacturers who
donate, so it's good advertising to make donations. Of course all CD
manufacturers must honor the licenses of the programs in Debian. For
example, many of the programs are licensed under the GPL, which
requires you to distribute their source code.
Q: Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?
A: Yes. While all the main components of Debian are free software, we
provide a non-free directory for programs that aren't freely
redistributable. CD manufacturers _may_ be able to distribute the
programs we've placed in that directory, depending on the license terms
or their private arrangements with the authors of those software
packages. CD manufacturers can also distribute the non-free software
they get from other sources on the same CD. This is nothing new: free
and commercial software are distributed on the same CD by many
manufacturers now. Of course we still encourage software authors to
release the programs they write as free software.
Q: Is source code included with the system?
A: Source code is included for everything. Most of the license terms of
programs in the system require that source code be distributed along
with the programs. Thus, it's not OK to make a CD of executable
programs without the source code.
Q: I'm making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can
I use Debian 1.1 for the guts of a Linux system and add my own
applications on top of it?
A: Yes. For example, one person is building a "Linux for Hams"
distribution, with specialized programs for Radio Amateurs. He's
starting with Debian 1.1 as the "base system", and adding programs to
control the transmitter, track satellites, etc. All of the programs he
adds are packaged with the Debian package system so that his users will
be able to upgrade easily when he releases subsequent CDs.
Q: How do I become a Debian Developer?
A: First, download the Distribution and install it on your system.
Then, find a program you'd like to package that is not presently part
of Debian. Then, write to B...@Pixar.com requesting to be added to
the Developers list. Developers documentation can be found on our WWW
site http://www.debian.org/.
Q: Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it
installs effortlessly on any Debian system?
A: Go right ahead. The package tool is free software.
Q: What is "Software in the Public Interest"
A: It's a non-profit organization we formed when FSF withdrew their
sponsorship of Debian. We are currently incorporating as an IRS
501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The purpose of the organization is
to develop and distribute free software. Our goals are very much like
those of FSF, and we encourage programmers to use the GNU General
Public License on their programs. However, we have a slightly different
focus in that we are building and distributing a Linux system that
diverges in many technical details from the GNU system planned by FSF.
We still communicate with FSF, and we cooperate in sending them changes
to GNU software and in asking our users to donate to FSF and the GNU
project.
From: b...@pixar.com (Bruce Perens)
Subject: Debian 1.2 Released
Date: 1996/12/13
Message-ID: <58qdht$gm4@pixar.com>
X-Deja-AN: 204079526
organization: Debian Linux Distribution
newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc
Hello,
I'd like to make a special suggestion to comp.os.linux.misc readers.
If you'd like to contribute something to Linux, working on Debian is
a good way to do it. There are lots of open tasks for people with a
wide range of specialties - not just programmers. Our enthusiastic
community of developers will help you get started, and our large user
community will give you the satisfaction of knowing your work is widely
used and appreciated.
The first step to helping out with Debian is installing a Debian system.
Here's a copy of the Debian 1.2 announcement to set you on that path.
Thanks
Bruce Perens
Debian Project Leader
Software in the Public Interest
Presents
*** Debian GNU/Linux 1.2 ***
* 848 software packages. Twice as many as in Debian 1.1!
* 120 active package maintainers. Largest staff of any Linux distribution!
* Compatible with RPM and Slackware packages!
* Upgrade-in-place means you never have to re-install a Debian system.
* Retrieves and installs new software packages automatically via FTP!
Debian is a free Linux distribution. Its creators are 160 unpaid
volunteers from all over the world who collaborate via the Internet.
The quality of Debian can be favorably compared with the best of
commercial Unix and Linux systems. A detailed catalog of the software
packages in Debian can be found at http://www.debian.org/FTP/ .
Debian 1.2 is a special release for us. With this release we have shown
that Debian is a mature system, and we're capable of becoming the leading
Linux distribution. Debian's dedication to free software, our non-profit
nature, and our open development model make us unique among Linux
distributions.
The Debian 1.2 system features the Linux 2.0.27 kernel. A
distinguishing feature of Debian is the most comprehensive package
system available for any Unix or Linux system. The package system
retrieves software packages from a Debian FTP site automatically or
reads them from a disk or CD-ROM, and can upgrade, install, or
un-install packages at your request. Package "dependencies", a feature
pioneered by Debian, mean that if one package requires another package
to work the package system will offer to retrieve and install the
required package. A new feature is automatic conversion of Red Hat or
Slackware packages to Debian packages using our "alien" program. The
converted packages are capable of installing, upgrading, and
un-installing themselves just as native Debian packages do.
There are ports of Debian 1.2 to the m68k, ALPHA, and SPARC in
progress. Prototype systems for the 68k and ALPHA already exist and
are available to developers. SPARC is just being bootstrapped, and a
MIPS port is expected eventually.
There are two versions of the Debian distribution: the "stable", and
the "development" version. The "stable" directory currently contains
Debian 1.2.0 . Point releases of "stable" happen every few weeks as
bug-fixes are submitted, but there are no large changes until the next
major release. The "development" version is where we are building
Debian 2.0 . The development directory is updated continuously, and you
can retrieve packages from the "development" archive on our FTP sites
and use them to upgrade your system at any time. Thus, users who need
stability are well-supported, and those who wish to be constantly at
the leading edge are accommodated just as well.
Debian was created by Ian Murdock in 1993, and Ian's work was sponsored
for one year by FSF's GNU project. Debian should be considered a direct
descendent of the GNU system. Although we're a separate organization
from FSF, our goals are similar and we maintain cordial relations with
them.
FTP Sites:
Debian FTP sites are everywhere from Kansas to Croatia! A list of them
is available at http://www.debian.org/ftplist.html . Some sites have not
caught up with the Debian 1.2 distribution. Those that have caught up will
have a "Debian-1.2" directory. Two good FTP sites are:
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian
ftp://debian.crosslink.net/debian
The above sites carry a mirror listing in the file README.mirrors, so that
you can find your local FTP mirrors.
The installation floppy disk images and a full installation manual are
in the Debian-1.2/disks-i386/current subdirectory on these sites.
You can access the installation manual using the URL
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/Debian-1.2/disks-i386/current/install.html .
The rest of the software packages are in the Debian-1.2/binary-i386
subdirectory.
Web Site
Visit our web site http://www.debian.org/ for more information about
Debian.
Mailing Lists
To subscribe to the mailing lists, send the word "subscribe" to one of
these addresses:
debian-user-REQU...@lists.debian.org
There are a lot of experienced users on this list who can answer
any question you might have. There can be 50 messages a day or more
on this list.
debian-announce-REQU...@lists.debian.org
Major system announcements. Averages only a few messages per month.
debian-changes-REQU...@lists.debian.org
This is a list for announcements of new package uploads with bug fixes
for the stable version of the Debian system. It may carry many
announcements per day.
debian-devel-changes-REQU...@lists.debian.org
This is a list for announcements of new package uploads and bug fixes in
the development version of the Debian system. This is where you'll find
out about programs that have just been packaged for Debian. It may carry
many announcements per day.
The mailing lists have a "spam filter". As soon as you subscribe, you'll
be sent the mailing list rules, and you must agree to them before posting.
Questions and Answers
Q: How should Debian be compared to other Linux systems?
A: Debian is at least as good as any other Unix or Linux distribution,
even the most professional. Debian's most important feature is its
package system, which is the most comprehensive available for any Unix
or Linux system. Red Hat's "RPM", used by a number of Linux
distributions, is the only comparable package system. RPM has picked
up a number of features that were pioneered in Debian, including our
use of package dependencies. Now we've made Debian capable of converting
Red Hat packages automatically, so that commercial programs for these
other Linux distributions can be installed on Debian.
One major difference between Debian and other Linux distributors is
that Debian is a non-profit organization, and the others are commercial
companies. Debian's aim is to work together with other Linux distributions
rather than compete with them. We respect these organizations and their
employees. We encourage all creators of Linux distributions to derive
components or their entire distributions from Debian.
Q: How compatible is Debian?
A: We communicate with other Linux distribution creators in an effort
to maintain binary compatibility across Linux distributions. Most
commercial Linux products run as well under Debian as they do on the
system upon which they were built. Our "alien" program allows you to
treat packages created for these other systems as if they were Debian
packages.
Q: What about Internationalization?
A: There's an active subgroup of our developers who are internationalizing
Debian. Translations of Debian documentation are available in several
different national languages.
Q: How do I become a Debian Developer?
A: We're looking for people who would like to contribute work to Linux
and be members of an international community of software developers
that's making something that matters! You can find all of the
developer's information in the "Debian Policy Manual" and "Dpkg
Programmer's Manual", available on our web site http://www.debian.org .
Q: Can I make and sell Debian CDs?
A: Go ahead. You don't need permission to distribute anything we've
_released_, although you should tell us you're making a CD so that we
can help you avoid a few costly mistakes. You don't have to pay us
anything. We will, however, publish a list of CD manufacturers who
donate money, software, and time to the Debian project, and we'll
encourage users to buy from manufacturers who donate, so it's good
advertising to make donations. Of course all CD manufacturers must
honor the licenses of the programs in Debian. For example, many of the
programs are licensed under the GPL, which requires you to distribute
their source code.
Q: What is "Software in the Public Interest"
A: It's a non-profit organization we formed to sponsor the Debian
effort. The purpose of the organization is to develop and distribute
free software. Our goals are much like those of FSF except that our
main project is a Linux system. We encourage programmers to use the GNU
General Public License or another license that allows free
redistribution and use of software.
* * *
The trademarks "Unix", "Red Hat", "Slackware", and "RPM" are the
property of their respective owners. Ownership of the name "Linux" is
currently in dispute.
--
--
Bruce Perens K6BP B...@Pixar.com
Finger b...@master.Debian.org for PGP public key.
PGP fingerprint = 88 6A 15 D0 65 D4 A3 A6 1F 89 6A 76 95 24 87 B3
From: Per...@Hams.com (Bruce Perens AB6YM)
Subject: Debian 1.3 Beta Test, and other Debian News
Date: 1997/04/07
Message-ID: <5ic0uo$rap@samba.rahul.net>#1/1
X-Deja-AN: 231406100
Distribution: world
Organization: Linux for Hams
NNTP-Posting-User: perens
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.development
DEBIAN 1.3 AVAILABLE FOR BETA TEST, and other Debian news
In this issue:
Debian 1.3 Available for Beta Test.
Debian Project Re-Opens After Re-Organization.
Debian in Space!
Debian 2.0 Progress.
Debian Ports
Send Money!
DEBIAN 1.3 AVAILABLE FOR BETA TEST
Debian 1.3 is now in beta test. We are performing a month-long test
with an organized quality control team. If you'd like to be an official
beta tester, please contact Dale Scheetz < d...@polaris.net> .
The Debian 1.3 files are under the "frozen" directory on most of the
Debian mirror sites. There are now 73 Debian mirrors worldwide! You can
find the mirror list at ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/README.mirrors or
ftp://debian.crosslink.net/pub/debian/README.mirrors . Please consider
that this is beta-quality software and there will be bugs. If you have
any problem, please see the information on our bug-tracking system
at http://www.debian.org/support.html , or write to Dale at the above
address.
DEBIAN PROJECT RE-OPENS AFTER RE-ORGANIZATION
I recently announced that I was closing the Debian project down for a
week, for re-organization. The problem was that with 200 people we
simply could not run the organization as we did with 60 or 100, when we
simply discussed a decision among the developers and arrived at a
consensus. We have had to implement measures such as opinion polls so
that the project leaders can be sure they are supported by the
developers on certain decisions. Although I had feared that some
developers would walk off in a huff, that did not happen. Development
did continue during the "closing" period, and we are now open for
business again.
We have also de-centralized Debian's resources. Our DNS, mailing
lists, and FTP archive are now each on a geographically separate system
from the others, and are each managed by a separate individual or
team. Previously, all three functions were on one system. This move
reduces the possibility that a failure at one system or the
unavailability of one system manager could devastate the project. In
addition, we have provided hot-site backup systems for all of these
functions.
DEBIAN IN SPACE
As I write this a Debian 1.2 system is controlling an experiment in the
Microgravity Science Lab in orbit aboard the Space Shuttle mission STS-83.
Unfortunately, the shuttle will be returning to Earth early, due to a
fuel-cell failure.
DEBIAN 2.0 IN PROGRESS
Debian 2.0 is now under development. The major feature of 2.0 will be
"LIBC 6", otherwise known as GNU LIBC Version 2. We decided to put out
Debian 1.3 rather than going directly to 2.0 so that there would be a
robust and up-to-date Debian system in release while we deal with any
LIBC 6 conversion problems.
DEBIAN PORTS
A number of unreleased Debian ports are available for testing and
development. The Debian 68k port runs on Atari and Amiga, and there
are currently installation floppies for Atari. The ALPHA port is
self-hosting but does not yet have boot floppies, and many packages
have not been compiled for ALPHA. The SPARC port is in development. A
PowerPC port is expected to begin soon.
SEND MONEY
We need another $200 or so to do our incorporation, and we'll need a few
hundred to register a few trademarks. If you'd like to make a monetary
donation to the Debian project, please write to our Treasurer, Tim Sailer,
at < t...@buoy.com> . He can give you directions on where to send your
donation, and how to transfer currency from other nations.
Thanks
Bruce Perens
Debian Project Leader
From: bruce@pixar.com (Bruce Perens)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Debian 1.3 Released - Free Linux Distribution
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 1997 9:50:31 GMT
Organization: none
Approved: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: < pycola.865677031.5671@liw.clinet.fi>
Reply-To: Bruce Perens < bruce@pixar.com>
iQBVAwUBM5ku6TiesvPHtqnBAQHvtAIAn2heT8uyaYI2Qaqfs/5tWCdPTWPtYQhg
iIZj1hoS3GwVWn63hD/BM+HnV+omfbXbNCDpb1TAXoKORor4mffOcA==
=PJ/d
Xref: nntpfeed.doc.ic.ac.uk comp.os.linux.announce:7490
Software in the Public Interest
Presents
*** Debian GNU/Linux 1.3 ***
and
*** Our first OFFICIAL Two-CD Set ***
* This is the Linux distribution that recently orbited on the U.S. Space
Shuttle. Two more space missions carrying Debian are already scheduled.
* 100% Free software. Our goal is to help keep Linux free.
* NEW: Anyone can duplicate and sell our Official CD, with no fee from us!
* NEW: The largest pre-release testing program in the Linux world.
* NEW: Floppy-less install directly from CD, one-floppy install using NFS
or hard disk.
* 974 entirely free software packages. Many more than Debian 1.2, and the
largest Linux distribution available.
* 200 developers. Largest staff of any Linux distribution.
* Free on-line support from our large, friendly user community on the
debian-user mailing list. Many questions are answered in minutes, with
positive results.
* Upgrade automatically via CD, FTP, NFS, disk, or floppy.
* Our bug list is publicly accessible on our web server, and every user is
encouraged to access our bug system and provide feedback.
* Compatible with RPM and Slackware packages.
* We are a non-profit organization!
Debian GNU/Linux is a free-software Linux distribution. Its creators
are 200 unpaid volunteers from all over the world who collaborate via
the Internet. Our goal is to keep Linux free. While other Linux
distributions make their systems more and more dependent on commercial
software, Debian is 100% free, and always will be!
This release introduces several new features:
Debian is striving for better integration of the entire system.
Two examples of this are an automatic menu system, (the "menu"
package), and a built-in web server for documentation (the "dwww"
package). Each package that is installed can automatically add its menu
entry to your window manager, and its documentation to the web server.
These features exist in prototype form in Debian 1.3 .
We have organized a large formal testing team. We have put more energy
into testing and quality of the released software than ever before.
This will be evident in the quality of your Debian GNU/Linux system.
This is the first Debian release to have an "Official" CD. Our Official
Debian GNU/Linux Two-CD Set is different from all others in that anyone can
duplicate and sell the Official Debian 2-CD Set without any fee from
us! Debian will provide the Official CD "masters" to all CD manufacturers
at no charge via FTP, or on CD-writable ready to take to the duplication
house, shipped overnight, for a $50 handling fee. We have taken this step
to make sure that our free Linux system is available everywhere at a fair
price.
We've "gotten real"! Until now, Debian was a large informal organization,
with no treasury or incorporation, and only one real officer. We have
submitted our incorporation papers to the State of New York. As soon as
the State returns them, we'll file with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
to be a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit. This status will let us handle
tax-exempt donations and grants for the development of Linux. Since
everything we do is free software, our work will benefit all Linux users.
For information on how to donate money to Debian, see
http://www.debian.org/donations.html .
A distinguishing feature of Debian is the most comprehensive package
system available for any Unix or Linux system. Debian was the first
Linux distribution to provide a package system with dependencies, a
feature that has been copied by all but one of the leading Linux
distributions. Our package system is technically superior to that
of any Linux system. We were the first to provide automatic conversion
of package types, and you can automatically convert RPM and Slackware
packages to Debian ones. A program to convert Debian packages to RPM
is available, but not yet in the release.
There are ports of Debian GNU/Linux 1.3 to the m68k, ALPHA, and SPARC,
and a PowerPC port is just starting. Installation disks already exist
for most of these ports, however we have not released them because they
do not yet meet the standard set by our i386 release. If you'd like to
download and test the unreleased ports, you can get it from most of the
FTP sites listed at http://www.debian.org/ftplist.html .
There are two versions of the Debian distribution: the "stable", and
the "development" version. The "stable" directory currently contains
Debian GNU/Linux 1.3.0 . Point releases of "stable" happen every few weeks as
bug-fixes are submitted, but there are no large changes until the next
major release. The "development" version is where we are building
Debian 2.0 . The development directory is updated continuously, and you
can retrieve packages from the "development" archive on our FTP sites
and use them to upgrade your system at any time. Thus, users who need
stability are well-supported, and those who wish to be constantly at
the leading edge are accommodated just as well.
FTP Sites
Debian FTP sites are everywhere from Kansas to Croatia! A list of them
is available at http://www.debian.org/ftplist.html .
The installation floppy disk images and a full installation manual are
in the Debian-1.3/disks-i386/current subdirectory on these sites.
To Upgrade From an Older Debian System
This section is only for people who are upgrading an older _Debian_
system. Everyone else must follow the instructions under "Installing a
New Debian System". You can upgrade automatically via FTP, or from CD
or disk. With this release, it is very important to upgrade our "dpkg"
package tool first, before you upgrade other packages in an older
Debian system. To do this, change into the Debian-1.3/binary-i386/base
directory on your CD or use FTP or some other means to get the ".deb"
files mentioned below. As root, run these commands:
dpkg --clear-avail
dpkg -i ldso_*.deb
dpkg -i libc5_*.deb
dpkg -i dpkg_*.deb dpkg-ftp_*.deb
dpkg --purge --force-depends texbin
Once that has been done, you should be able to upgrade the entire system
automatically using our "dselect" tool. If you are connected to the Internet
you will not need to retrieve any other files manually, "dselect" will
automatically retrieve and install the rest of Debian 1.3 for you.
If you upgrade from Debian 1.1 to Debian 1.3, on a system where Debian
1.2 has never been installed, you can expect to run dselect about 4
times to complete the installation. There will be a number of error
messages leading to termination of "dselect", but these are an artifact
of the package order and your skipped upgrade to 1.2, and can be safely
ignored.
Installing a New Debian System
You can access the installation manual using the URL
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/Debian-1.3/disks-i386/current/install.html .
The rest of the software packages are in the Debian-1.3/binary-i386
subdirectory.
Web Site
Visit our web site http://www.debian.org/ for more information about
Debian GNU/Linux.
Mailing Lists
To subscribe to the mailing lists, send the word "subscribe" to one of
these addresses:
debian-user-REQUEST@lists.debian.org
There are a lot of experienced users on this list who can answer
any question you might have. Questions are often answered in minutes,
with positive results. There can be 50 messages a day or more on this
list.
debian-announce-REQUEST@lists.debian.org
Major system announcements. Averages only a few messages per month.
debian-changes-REQUEST@lists.debian.org
This is a list for announcements of new package uploads with bug fixes
for the stable version of the Debian system. It may carry many
announcements per day.
debian-devel-changes-REQUEST@lists.debian.org
This is a list for announcements of new package uploads and bug fixes in
the development version of the Debian system. This is where you'll find
out about programs that have just been packaged for Debian. It may carry
many announcements per day.
Questions and Answers
Q: How should Debian be compared to other Linux systems?
A: Debian 1.3 is at least as good as any other Unix or Linux distribution,
even the most professional. One major difference between Debian and
other Linux distributors is that Debian is a non-profit
organization, and the others are commercial companies. Debian's aim
is to work together with other Linux distributions rather than
compete with them. We respect these organizations and their
employees. We encourage all creators of Linux distributions to
derive components or their entire distributions from Debian.
Q: How compatible is Debian?
A: We communicate with other Linux distribution creators in an effort
to maintain binary compatibility across Linux distributions. Most
commercial Linux products run as well under Debian as they do on the
system upon which they were built. Our "alien" program allows you to
treat packages created for these other systems as if they were Debian
packages.
Q: What about Internationalization?
A: There's an active subgroup of our developers who are internationalizing
Debian. Active development is in progress in French, Italian, German,
and Spanish.
Q: How do I become a Debian Developer?
A: We're looking for people who would like to contribute work to Linux
and be members of an international community of software developers
that's making something that matters! You can find all of the
developer's information in the "Debian Policy Manual" and "Debian
Packaging Manual", which are both available in Debian packages.
Q: Can I make and sell Debian CDs?
A: If you want to distribute the Official Debian Two-CD Set, please
contact Bruce Perens at < bruce@debian.org>. There is no fee for you
to duplicate or sell Debian CDs. You can get free access to the CD
"masters" via FTP, or we can express ship you CD-writables ready for
duplication for a $50 materials and shipping fee.
If you want to distribute a non-official CD, such as one to which you
have added value, just download the files from our FTP site. Please
only distribute the _released_ Debian versions.
Q: What is "Software in the Public Interest"
A: It's a non-profit corporation we formed to sponsor the Debian
effort. The purpose of the organization is to develop and distribute
free software. Our goals are much like those of FSF except that our
main project is a Linux system. We encourage programmers to use the GNU
General Public License or another license that allows free
redistribution and use of software.
* * *
The trademarks "Unix", "Red Hat", "Slackware", and "RPM" are the
property of their respective owners. Ownership of the name "Linux" is
currently in dispute.
- --
Bruce Perens K6BP Bruce@Pixar.com 510-215-3502
Finger bruce@master.Debian.org for PGP public key.
PGP fingerprint = 88 6A 15 D0 65 D4 A3 A6 1F 89 6A 76 95 24 87 B3
- --
This article has been digitally signed by the moderator, using PGP.
http://www.iki.fi/liw/lars-public-key.asc has PGP key for validating signature.
Send submissions for comp.os.linux.announce to: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov
PLEASE remember a short description of the software and the LOCATION.
This group is archived at http://www.iki.fi/liw/linux/cola.html
From: bruce@pixar.com (Bruce Perens)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce
Subject: Debian 1.3.1 Released, Debian in Orbit!
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 15:48:02 GMT
Organization: none
Approved: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: < pycola.868636083.20604@liw.clinet.fi>
Reply-To: Bruce Perens < bruce@pixar.com>
iQBVAwUBM8ZVtjiesvPHtqnBAQHuUwH8DT5LeF6nm67Qiycip4Acxh9lNNIf0Xwn
zksyidZ8xpG4DRHPVW6oD8a0q2xlOft/XLao4depJfF4pfJ82396DA==
=lDJw
Xref: nntpfeed.doc.ic.ac.uk comp.os.linux.announce:7697
DEBIAN NEWS
Debian in Orbit on Space Shuttle
A Debian system is currently in orbit on the U.S. Space Shuttle. It is
monitoring an experiment in the Microgravity Science lab. Full details
are available in "Linux Journal".
Debian 1.3.1 Released
Debian GNU/Linux 1.3.1 is now available on our 79 FTP sites. In
addition, our Official 2-CD Set is available for you to duplicate
and sell (or give away) with no fee from us.
The main difference from 1.3 to 1.3.1 is the inclusion of XFree86 3.3 .
This solves a number of known security bugs and other problems in X.
There are also bug-fixes to several other packages.
You can find the Official Debian GNU/Linux 1.3.1 2-CD Set for sale at
excellent prices. Please see http://www.debian.org/vendors.html for a
listing of CD vendors.
If you already have a 1.3 CD, you may find it most economical to update
your system to 1.3.1 automaticaly from one of our 79 FTP mirror sites.
You can do this using Dselect's FTP installation method.
You can also download and install Debian for the first time using FTP.
A listing of mirror sites appears below.
If you would like to duplicate and sell the Official Debian 1.3.1 2-CD Set,
you can download the ISO 9660 image files from one of several official CD
mirror sites listed at the end of this message. In addition, CD
manufacturers _only_ can order two gold CD masters, ready to duplicate,
sent via air express for $50. To order, send mail to bruce@debian.org .
DEBIAN FTP MIRROR SITES
These are the FTP mirror sites for regular users, not the sites of the
ISO 9660 image files for CD manufacturers. Those appear at the end of
this message.
Rev 970621v2 Number of listed sites: 79
Debian GNU/Linux - worldwide mirror sites
A mirror is another site on the Internet that periodically
downloads the entire contents of the Debian distribution so
that no one site will get clogged up with transfers. Of
course, this means that files released may not appear the
same day on the mirror as it would on a major site - however
we recommend that you use a mirror for the main part in any case.
Please make sure you obtain the latest README.mirrors file - which
is available at ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/README.mirrors
If you find a site listed that becomes outdated or one that
isn't listed, please let us know by emailing mirrors@debian.org
Note: Unless otherwise stated, ALL sites below are FTP sites.
Key: B = Normal binary packages O = Other binary packages (Alpha/m68k/Sparc)
S = Sources available * = Yes - = No ? = Down or unreachable during check
! = Site not up-to-date
Country Hostname:/Directory Contact B O S
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina
ftp.fceia.unr.edu.ar:/pub/linux/debian * - -
jkohan@adan.fceia.unr.edu.ar
Australia
ftp.debian.org.au:/debian * - -
ftpadm@debian.org.au
ftp.it.com.au:/mirrors/linux/debian * * *
ftpadm@it.com.au
ftp.schnet.edu.au:/debian * - -
root@schnet.edu.au
ftp.su.oz.au:/linux/debian * * *
root@extra.ucc.su.oz.au
ftp.usyd.edu.au:/linux/debian * * *
root@ftp.usyd.edu.au
ftp.uwa.edu.au:/mirrors/debian * * *
luyer@ucs.uwa.edu.au
www.unimelb.edu.au:/pub/unix/linux/debian * * *
ftpadmin@www.unimelb.edu.au
Belgium
ftp.belgium.eu.net:/pub/linux/debian * * *
ftpmnt@Belgium.EU.net
ftp.cs.kuleuven.ac.be:/pub/unix/linux/debian * * *
ftp@cs.kuleuven.ac.be
ftp.kulnet.kuleuven.ac.be:/pub/mirror/ftp.debian.org/debian * * *
patrick.weemeeuw@kulnet.kuleuven.ac.be
Brazil
linux.if.usp.br:/debian * * *
afmoraes@if.usp.br
Costa Rica
simula.efis.ucr.ac.cr:/pub/debian * * *
mmagallo@efis.ucr.ac.cr
Croatia
thphys.irb.hr:/pub/linux/Debian * * *
hdogan@thphus.irb.hr
Czech Republic
sunsite.mff.cuni.cz:/OS/Linux/Dist/Debian * * *
WWW: http://sunsite.mff.cuni.cz/ftp/OS/Linux/Dist/Debian
jj@sunsite.mff.cuni.cz
Denmark
sunsite.auc.dk:/pub/os/linux/debian * * *
ftp@sunsite.auc.dk
Finland
ftp.funet.fi:/pub/Linux/mirrors/debian * * *
staff@funet.fi
France
ftp.ibp.fr:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
ftpmaint@ibp.fr
ftp.info.iut-tlse3.fr:/pub/debian * * *
root@cristal.info.iut-tlse3.fr
ftp.iut-bm.univ-fcomte.fr:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
ftpadmin@iut-bm.univ-fcomte.fr
ftp.u-bordeaux.fr:/pub/Linux/debian * * -
debian@labri.u-bordeaux.fr
Germany
ftp.inka.de:/debian * - *
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/mirror/ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de/debian-non-US
ftpmaster@inka.de
ftp.mathematik.th-darmstadt.de:/pub/linux/distributions/debian ->
ftpadmin@ftp.th-darmstadt.de * * *
ftp.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de:/pub/linux/mirror.debian * * *
ftp@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
ftp.tu-clausthal.de:/pub/linux/debian * * *
funke@rz.tu-clausthal.de
ftp.uni-erlangen.de:/pub/Linux/debian * * *
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/Linux/debian/debian-non-US
WWW: http://ftp.uni-erlangen.de/pub/Linux/debian
ftplinux@rrze.uni-erlangen.de
ftp.uni-mainz.de:/pub/Linux/debian * * *
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/Linux/debian-non-US
AFS: file://afs/zdv.uni-mainz.de/public/ftp/pub/Linux/debian
AFS: file://afs/zdv.uni-mainz.de/public/ftp/pub/Linux/debian-local
ftpadmin@goofy.zdv.uni-mainz.de
os.inf.tu-dresden.de:/debian * * *
This is the master site for Debian Non-US packages that can't be
at ftp.debian.org due to legal reasons (ie export restrictions) in
/pub/debian-non-US
sr1@inf.tu-dresden.de
Hong Kong
sunsite.ust.hk:/pub/debian * * *
ftpadmin@sunsite.ust.hk
Hungary
ftp.bme.hu:/pub/OS/Linux/dist/debian * * *
root@ftp.bme.hu
ftp.kfki.hu:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
ftpadm@sunserv.kfki.hu
ftp.tarki.hu:/mirrors/Debian * * *
vbzoli@tarki.hu
silver.drk.hu:/pub/debian * * *
buci@bucipc.math.klte.hu
Korea
ftp.kreonet.re.kr:/pub/Linux/debian * * *
ahmlhs@chosun.com
Israel
ftp.linux.org.il:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
benavrhm@tcltek.co.il
ftp.tau.ac.il:/pub/OS/Debian * * *
eilon@ftp.tau.ac.il
Italy
ftp.linux.it:/pub/Debian * * -
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/Debian/non-US
carlos@mail.ibm.it
palmaria.garda-access.com:/pub/linux/debian * * -
psomma@palmaria.garda-access.com
Japan
ftp.riken.go.jp:/pub/Linux/distributions/debian * * *
ftp-admin@rikdns.riken.go.jp
ftp2.linux.or.jp:/pub/Linux/debian * * *
ukai@linux.or.jp
Lithuania
sunsite.ktu.lt:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
anusau@pit.ktu.lt
Netherlands
ftp.leidenuniv.nl:/pub/linux/debian * - -
NFS-mountable /var/spool/ftp/pub/linux
vgovers@wi.leidenuniv.nl
ftp.nluug.nl:/pub/os/Linux/distr/Debian * * *
ftp-admin@nluug.nl
New Zealand
ftp.citylink.co.nz:/pub/linux/debian * - -
simon@citylink.co.nz
Norway
ftp.nvg.unit.no:/pub/linux/debian * * -
ftp@nvg.unit.no
Poland
sunsite.icm.edu.pl:/pub/Linux/debian * * *
J.Rychter@icm.edu.pl
Portugal
ftp-dmat.ce.uevora.pt:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * - -
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/linux/distributions/debian-non-US
spa@dmat.euvora.pt
ftp.eq.uc.pt:/pub/software/unix/Linux/debian * * *
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/software/unix/Linux/debian-non-US
ftp-admin@eq.uc.pt
ftp.ua.pt:/pub/unix/Linux/debian * * *
cooker@ua.pt
Singapore
linux.iscs.nus.sg:/pub/distributions/debian * - *
tanweeye@iscs.nus.sg
Slovenia
ftp.arnes.si:/software/unix/linux/debian * * *
ftp.administrator@arnes.si
Spain
ftp.cs.us.es:/pub/Linux/debian * * -
ftpmaster@cs.us.es
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/Linux/debian/non-US
ftp.rediris.es:/software/os/linux/distributions/debian ->
ftp@rediris.es * * *
Sweden
ftp.lh.umu.se:/debian * * *
This site also mirrors the non-US packages at os.inf.tu-dresden.de
in /pub/linux/debian-non-US
bjorn@mdc.umu.se
Switzerland
sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch:/mirror/linux/distributions/debian * * *
archive@sunsite.cnlab-switch.ch
Taiwan
linux.cis.nctu.edu.tw:/pub/distributions/debian * * *
NFS-mountable /nfs/debian
ftpadm@linux.cis.nctu.edu.tw
United Kingdom
ftp.mcc.ac.uk:/pub/linux/distributions/Debian * * *
LeBlanc@mcc.ac.uk
sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk:/Mirrors/ftp.debian.org/pub/debian ->
wizards@doc.ic.ac.uk * * *
unix.hensa.ac.uk:/mirrors/debian * * *
archie-admin@unix.hensa.ac.uk
United States - Alaska
ftp.greatland.net:/pub/debian * * -
dewell@woods.net
United States - Arizona
ftp.infomagic.com:/pub/mirrors/linux/debian * * *
ftp-adm@infomagic.com
United States - California
aij.st.hmc.edu:/debian * - -
jlarkin@hmc.edu
ftp.cdrom.com:/debian * * *
jamil@ftp.cdrom.com
ftp.fuller.edu:/debian * - *
clameter@debian.org
ftp.fifi.org:/pub/debian * - *
ftpadmin@fifi.org
ftp.kernel.org:/pub/mirrors/debian * * *
WWW: http://ftp.kernel.org/pub/mirrors/debian
ftpadm@ftp.kernel.org
ftp.oro.net:/pub/debian * * *
ftpadm@oro.net
United States - Colorado
ftp.wgs.com:/pub/linux/debian * * *
mark@wgs.com
United States - Florida
debian.med.miami.edu:/debian * * *
mdorman@lot49.med.miami.edu
United States - Georgia
ftp.debian.org:/debian * * *
ftpmaster@cc.gatech.edu
United States - Illinois
uiarchive.uiuc.edu:/pub/systems/linux/distributions/debian * * *
jgross@uiuc.edu
United States - Michigan
linux.eecs.umich.edu:/pub/linux/debian * * *
steveh@eecs.umich.edu
United States - North Carolina
sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/distributions/debian * * *
ewt@sunsite.unc.edu
United States - North Dakota
ftp.cfni.com:/pub/debian * * *
nnorman@cfni.com
United States - New Jersey
ftp-nog.rutgers.edu:/pub/linux/distributions/debian * * *
ftp-admin@ftp-nog.rutgers.edu
United States - New York
ftp.rge.com:/pub/systems/linux/debian * * *
ftp@rge.com
llug.sep.bnl.gov:/pub/debian * * *
sailer@sun10.sep.bnl.gov
United States - Utah
ftp.caldera.com:/pub/mirrors/debian * * *
ron@caldera.com
United States - Virginia
debian.crosslink.net:/pub/debian * * *
shields@crosslink.net
If you find any of the above sites are out of date or no
longer mirroring Debian, please email mirrors@debian.org
OFFICIAL CD MIRROR SITES
These are FTP sites where you can currently find the ISO 9660 image files
for the Official Debian GNU/Linux 1.3.1 2-CD Set. Do not use these sites
if you aren't making a CD. To add a site, please send mail to
bruce@debian.org .
U.S.: ftp://ftp.cfni.com/debian-CD
Nathan E Norman < nnorman@cfni.com>
U.S.: ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/distributions/debian/OfficialCD
H. Peter Anvin hpa@transmeta.com
U.S.: ftp://ftp.debian.org/OfficialCD
Greg Hankins < gregh@cc.gatech.edu>
Germany: ftp.uni-erlangen.de:/pub/Linux/Official-Debian-CDs
Roman Hodek < Roman.Hodek@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
also NFS-mountable (read-only) as /public/pub/Linux/Official-Debian-CDs
U.K.: ftp://ftp.doc.ic.ac.uk/computing/operating-systems/Linux/debian/OfficialCD
Lee McLoughlin < lmjm@doc.ic.ac.uk>
Hungary: ftp://silver.drk.hu/pub/debian_cd/
Robert Nemkin < buci@bucipc.math.klte.hu>
Japan: ftp://ftp.kc.chuo-u.ac.jp/pub/Linux/OfficialCD/
Atsushi KAMOSHIDA < kamop@post1.com>
- --
Bruce Perens K6BP bruce@pixar.com 510-215-3502
Finger bruce@master.debian.org for PGP public key.
PGP fingerprint = 88 6A 15 D0 65 D4 A3 A6 1F 89 6A 76 95 24 87 B3
- --
This article has been digitally signed by the moderator, using PGP.
http://www.iki.fi/liw/lars-public-key.asc has PGP key for validating signature.
Send submissions for comp.os.linux.announce to: linux-announce@news.ornl.gov
PLEASE remember a short description of the software and the LOCATION.
This group is archived at http://www.iki.fi/liw/linux/cola.html