Debian

Debian
Debian GNU/Linux

   <operating system> /deb'ee`n/, *not* /deeb'ee`n/ The
   non-profit volunteer organisation responsible for Debian
   {GNU}/{Linux} and Debian {GNU}/{Hurd}.  Debian's {Linux}
   distribution is dedicated to free and {open source} software;
   the main goal of the distribution is to ensure that one can
   download and install a fully-functional {operating system}
   that is completely adherent to the Debian Free Software
   Guidelines (DFSG).

   Debian was begun in August 1993 by Ian Murdock, and was
   sponsored by the {Free Software Foundation} from November 1994
   to November 1995.  The name Debian is a contraction of DEB(ra)
   and IAN Murdock.

   Debian's packaging system (dpkg) is similar to other popular
   packaging systems like {RPM}.  There are over 2200 packages of
   precompiled software available in the main (free) section of
   the Debian 2.1 distribution alone -- this is what sets Debian
   apart from many other Linux distributions.  The high quality
   and huge number of official packages (most Debian systems'
   /usr/local/ remains empty -- almost everything most Linux
   users want is officially packaged) are what draw many people
   to use Debian.

   Another unique aspect to the Debian project is the open
   development; pre-releases are made available from Day 1 and if
   anyone wishes to become a Debian developer, all that is needed
   is proof of identification and a signed {PGP} or {GPG} key.
   There are over 400 Debian developers all around the world --
   many developers have never met face-to-face, and most
   development talks take place on the many {mailing lists} and
   the {IRC} network.

   (http://debian.org/).

   Debian Linux archives (ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian).

   (1999-02-23)