From fe6eb1c593e2df135c8807bf94df614984b4d6ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Daniel Baumann Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:04:46 +0200 Subject: Adding live-helper 1.0~a1-1. --- includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html | 431 +++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 431 insertions(+) create mode 100644 includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html (limited to 'includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html') diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..74257067e --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,431 @@ + + + + + + + + +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Definitions and overview + + + + + +

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+The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +
Chapter 1 - Definitions and overview +

+ +
+ +

1.1 What is this FAQ?

+ +

+This document gives frequently asked questions (with their answers!) about the +Debian distribution (Debian GNU/Linux and others) and about the Debian project. +If applicable, pointers to other documentation will be given: we won't quote +large parts of external documentation in this document. You'll find out that +some answers assume some knowledge of Unix-like operating systems. We'll try +to assume as little prior knowledge as possible: answers to general beginners +questions will be kept simple. +

+ +

+If you can't find what you're looking for in this FAQ, be sure to check out What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1. If even that doesn't help, refer to Feedback, Section 15.2. +

+ +
+ +

1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?

+ +

+Debian GNU/Linux is a particular distribution of the Linux operating +system, and numerous packages that run on it. +

+ +

+In principle, users could obtain the Linux kernel via the Internet or from +elsewhere, and compile it themselves. They could then obtain source code for +many applications in the same way, compile the programs, then install them into +their systems. For complicated programs, this process can be not only +time-consuming but error-prone. To avoid it, users often choose to obtain the +operating system and the application packages from one of the Linux +distributors. What distinguishes the various Linux distributors are the +software, protocols, and practices they use for packaging, installing, and +tracking applications packages on users' systems, combined with installation +and maintenance tools, documentation, and other services. +

+ +

+Debian GNU/Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a free, +high-quality Unix-compatible operating system, complete with a suite of +applications. The idea of a free Unix-like system originates from the GNU +project, and many of the applications that make Debian GNU/Linux so useful were +developed by the GNU project. +

+ +

+For Debian, free has the GNUish meaning (see the Debian Free Software +Guidelines). When we speak of free software, we are referring to +freedom, not price. Free software means that you have the freedom to +distribute copies of free software, that you receive source code or can get it +if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new +free programs; and that you know you can do these things. +

+ +

+The Debian Project was created by Ian Murdock in 1993, initially under the +sponsorship of the Free Software Foundation's GNU project. Today, Debian's +developers think of it as a direct descendent of the GNU project. +

+ +

+Debian GNU/Linux is: +

+ + + + +

+Although Debian GNU/Linux itself is free software, it is 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. See I am making a special Linux +distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for +the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?, Section +13.3 for more information. +

+ +
+ +

1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!

+ +

+In short, Linux is the kernel of a Unix-like operating system. It was +originally designed for 386 (and better) PCs; today Linux also runs on a dozen +of other systems. Linux is written by Linus Torvalds and many computer +scientists around the world. +

+ +

+Besides its kernel, a "Linux" system usually has: +

+ + + +

+The combination of the Linux kernel, the file system, the GNU and FSF +utilities, and the other utilities are designed to achieve compliance with the +POSIX (IEEE 1003.1) standard; see How +source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?, Section 3.3. +

+ +

+For more information about Linux, see Michael K. Johnson's Linux Information +Sheet and Meta-FAQ. +

+ +
+ +

1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?

+ +

+Currently, Debian is only available for Linux, but with Debian GNU/Hurd and +Debian on BSD kernels, we have started to offer non-Linux-based OSes as a +development, server and desktop platform, too. However, these non-linux ports +are not officially released yet. +

+ +

+The oldest porting effort is Debian GNU/Hurd. +

+ +

+The Hurd is a set of servers running on top of the GNU Mach microkernel. +Together they build the base for the GNU operating system. +

+ +

+Please see http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/ +for more information about the GNU/Hurd in general, and http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/ +for more information about Debian GNU/Hurd. +

+ +

+A second effort is the port to a BSD kernel. People are working with both the +NetBSD and the FreeBSD kernels. +

+ +

+See http://www.debian.org/ports/#nonlinux +for more information about these non-linux ports. +

+ +
+ +

1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?

+ +

+These key features distinguish Debian from other Linux distributions: +

+
+
Freedom:
+
+

+As stated in the Debian +Social Contract, Debian will remain 100% free. Debian is very +strict about shipping truly free software. The guidelines used to determine if +a work is "free" are provided in The Debian Free +Software. +

+
+
+
+
The Debian package maintenance system:
+
+

+The entire system, or any individual component of it, can be upgraded in place +without reformatting, without losing custom configuration files, and (in most +cases) without rebooting the system. Most Linux distributions available today +have some kind of package maintenance system; the Debian package maintenance +system is unique and particularly robust (see Basics of the Debian package management system, +Chapter 6). +

+
+
+
+
Open development:
+
+

+Whereas other Linux distributions are developed by individuals, small, closed +groups, or commercial vendors, Debian is the only major Linux distribution that +is being developed cooperatively by many individuals through the Internet, in +the same spirit as Linux and other free software. +

+ +

+More than 1649 volunteer package maintainers are working on over 15400 packages +and improving Debian GNU/Linux. The Debian developers contribute to the +project not by writing new applications (in most cases), but by packaging +existing software according to the standards of the project, by communicating +bug reports to upstream developers, and by providing user support. See also +additional information on how to become a contributor in How can I become a Debian software +developer?, Section 12.1. +

+
+
+
+
The Universal Operating System:
+
+

+Debian comes with more than +15400 packages and runs on 11 architectures. This is far +more than is available for any other GNU/Linux distribution. See What types of applications and development +software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?, Section 4.1 for an overview +of the provided software and see On what +hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 3.1 for +a description of the supported hardware platforms. +

+
+
+
+
The Bug Tracking System:
+
+

+The geographical dispersion of the Debian developers required sophisticated +tools and quick communication of bugs and bug-fixes to accelerate the +development of the system. Users are encouraged to send bugs in a formal +style, which are quickly accessible by WWW archives or via e-mail. See +additional information in this FAQ on the management of the bug log in Are there logs of known bugs?, Section +11.4. +

+
+
+
+
The Debian Policy:
+
+

+Debian has an extensive specification of our standards of quality, the Debian +Policy. This document defines the qualities and standards to which we hold +Debian packages. +

+
+
+ +

+For additional information about this, please see our web page about reasons to choose +Debian. +

+ +
+ +

1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?

+ +

+The Debian system builds on the ideals of free software first championed by the +Free Software Foundation and in +particular by Richard +Stallman. FSF's powerful system development tools, utilities, and +applications are also a key part of the Debian system. +

+ +

+The Debian Project is a separate entity from the FSF, however we communicate +regularly and cooperate on various projects. The FSF explicitly requested that +we call our system "Debian GNU/Linux", and we are happy to comply +with that request. +

+ +

+The FSF's long-standing objective is to develop a new operating system called +GNU, based on Hurd. Debian is working +with FSF on this system, called Debian GNU/Hurd. +

+ +
+ +

1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?

+ +

+The project name is pronounced Deb'-ee-en, with a short e in Deb, and emphasis +on the first syllable. This word is a contraction of the names of Debra and +Ian Murdock, who founded the project. (Dictionaries seem to offer some +ambiguity in the pronunciation of Ian (!), but Ian prefers ee'-en.) +

+ +
+ +

+[ previous ] +[ Contents ] +[ 1 ] +[ 2 ] +[ 3 ] +[ 4 ] +[ 5 ] +[ 6 ] +[ 7 ] +[ 8 ] +[ 9 ] +[ 10 ] +[ 11 ] +[ 12 ] +[ 13 ] +[ 14 ] +[ 15 ] +[ next ] +

+ +
+ +

+The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +

+ +
+version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006
+
+Authors are listed at Debian FAQ Authors
+
+
+
+ + + + + -- cgit v1.2.3