From 5841e79b1fddb4e7aa340328a4df587398317d06 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Daniel Baumann Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:43 +0100 Subject: Dropping etch support. --- .../etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html | 610 --------------------- 1 file changed, 610 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 includes/etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html (limited to 'includes/etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html') diff --git a/includes/etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html b/includes/etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html deleted file mode 100644 index cc5565314..000000000 --- a/includes/etch/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.en.html +++ /dev/null @@ -1,610 +0,0 @@ - - - - - - - - -The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Definitions and overview - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

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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. -

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-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 12.1. If even that doesn't help, refer to Feedback, Section 16.2. -

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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. -

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-Debian GNU/Linux is: -

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-Most Linux users run a specific distribution of Linux, like Debian -GNU/Linux. However, 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. -

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-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. -

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-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. -

- -

-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 -14.3 for more information. -

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

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-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. -

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

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-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 4.3. -

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-For more information about Linux, see What is Linux by Linux Online. -

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1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?

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-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. -

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

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-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. -

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-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. -

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

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

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

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

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Freedom:
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-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. -

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The Debian package maintenance system:
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-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 7). -

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Open development:
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-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. -

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-More than 1060 volunteer package maintainers are working on over 18200 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 13.1. -

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The Universal Operating System:
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-Debian comes with more than -18200 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 5.1 for an overview -of the provided software and see On what -hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 4.1 for -a description of the supported hardware platforms. -

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The Bug Tracking System:
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-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 -12.4. -

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The Debian Policy:
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-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. -

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

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

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-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. -

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-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. -

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-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. -

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

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-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.) -

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-The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ -

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-version 4.0.3, 6 August 2008
-
-Authors are listed at Debian FAQ Authors
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