A Month in Software is a new feature I am starting this month which will highlight software packages used by Knezev to help me work smarter, communicate better and play safer on a day to day basis. Some of these may run on servers while others are complete operating systems or packages you can use to replace expensive commercial software packages.
Debian GNU/Linux
Debian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. Debian uses the Linux kernel (the core of an operating system), but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux. First announced in 1993 by Ian Murdock, it's founder, named as a combination of his own given name and the given name of his girlfriend of the time, Debra Lynn.
The success of Debian GNU/Linux can be illustrated by the following numbers. It is developed by over 1,000 volunteer developers, its software repositories contain more than 20,000 packages (compiled for 11 processor architectures), and it is responsible for inspiring over 120 Debian-based distributions and live CDs. These figures are unmatched by any other Linux-based operating system. The actual development of Debian takes place in three main branches (or four if one includes the bleeding-edge "experimental" branch) of increasing levels of stability: "unstable" (permanently aliased "sid"), "testing" (currently aliased "wheezy") and "stable" (currently aliased "squeeze"). This progressive integration and stabilisation of packages and features, together with the project's well-established quality control mechanisms, has earned Debian its reputation of being one of the best-tested and most bug-free distributions available today. The focus of stability and security at it's core means that Debian can be used as a desktop as well as server operating system and is used as a base for many other distributions.
However, this lengthy and complex development style also has some drawbacks: the stable releases of Debian are not particularly up-to-date and they age rapidly, especially since new stable releases are only published once every 1 - 3 years. Those users who prefer the latest packages and technologies are forced to use the potentially buggy Debian testing or unstable branches. The highly democratic structures of Debian have led to controversial decisions and gave rise to infighting among the developers. This has contributed to stagnation and reluctance to make radical decisions that would take the project forward.
Debian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. Debian uses the Linux kernel (the core of an operating system), but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux. First announced in 1993 by Ian Murdock, it's founder, named as a combination of his own given name and the given name of his girlfriend of the time, Debra Lynn.
Ian Murdock envisaged the creation of a completely non-commercial project developed by hundreds of volunteer developers in their spare time. With skeptics far outnumbering optimists at the time, it was destined to disintegrate and collapse, but the reality was very different. Debian not only survived, it thrived and, in less than a decade, it became the largest Linux distribution and possibly the largest collaborative software project ever created!
The success of Debian GNU/Linux can be illustrated by the following numbers. It is developed by over 1,000 volunteer developers, its software repositories contain more than 20,000 packages (compiled for 11 processor architectures), and it is responsible for inspiring over 120 Debian-based distributions and live CDs. These figures are unmatched by any other Linux-based operating system. The actual development of Debian takes place in three main branches (or four if one includes the bleeding-edge "experimental" branch) of increasing levels of stability: "unstable" (permanently aliased "sid"), "testing" (currently aliased "wheezy") and "stable" (currently aliased "squeeze"). This progressive integration and stabilisation of packages and features, together with the project's well-established quality control mechanisms, has earned Debian its reputation of being one of the best-tested and most bug-free distributions available today. The focus of stability and security at it's core means that Debian can be used as a desktop as well as server operating system and is used as a base for many other distributions.
However, this lengthy and complex development style also has some drawbacks: the stable releases of Debian are not particularly up-to-date and they age rapidly, especially since new stable releases are only published once every 1 - 3 years. Those users who prefer the latest packages and technologies are forced to use the potentially buggy Debian testing or unstable branches. The highly democratic structures of Debian have led to controversial decisions and gave rise to infighting among the developers. This has contributed to stagnation and reluctance to make radical decisions that would take the project forward.
- Pros: Very stable; remarkable quality control; includes over 20,000 software packages; supports more processor architectures than any other Linux distribution.
- Cons: Conservative - due to its support for many processor architectures, newest technologies are not always included; slow release cycle (one stable release every 1 - 3 years); discussions on developer mailing lists and blogs can be uncultured at times.
- Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT) using DEB packages.
- Available editions: Installation CD/DVD and live CD images for 11 processor architectures, including all 32-bit and 64-bit processors from Intel, AMD, Power and others.
- Used for: Knezev Inc. uses Debian Lenny (Debian 5.0 supported untill 04-2012) for it's proxy server, web server and data server.
- Installation: The Perfect Server - Debian Etch (Debian 4.0) applies to Debian Lenny (Debian 5.0).
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