Debian Linux Distribution
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a distribution based on Debian?

  • Kali
  • Fedora (correct)
  • Ubuntu
  • Linux Mint

    • What is the primary purpose of the Debian Stable branch?

  • Focus on stability and reliability for personal computers and servers (correct)
  • Serving as a base for other distributions
  • Targeting specific use cases like penetration testing
  • Providing the latest software releases

    • What organization was founded by the Debian Project to support its development financially?

  • The Free Software Foundation
  • The Open Source Initiative
  • The Linux Foundation
  • Software in the Public Interest (correct)

    • What is the significance of the Debian Social Contract, Constitution, and Free Software Guidelines?

    <p>They guide the development process and principles of the project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is Debian no longer endorsed by the Free Software Foundation?

    <p>Debian's inclusion of non-free software repositories and firmware</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason for the 'time-based freeze' in Debian releases?

    <p>To allow for thorough testing and bug fixing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the development process of Debian?

    <p>Open and collaborative, with contributions from a diverse community of volunteers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Debian being one of the oldest Linux distributions still in active development?

    <p>It indicates the distribution's stability and maturity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary motivation for Ian Murdock to create the Debian distribution?

    <p>To address the maintenance issues and bugs in an existing distribution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who took over the leadership of the Debian project in 1996?

    <p>Bruce Perens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the origin of the name 'Debian'?

    <p>A combination of Ian Murdock's and his then-girlfriend's names</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant document did Murdock release with Version 0.90 of Debian?

    <p>The Debian Linux Manifesto</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did the Free Software Foundation play for the Debian project in the 1990s?

    <p>They sponsored the project for one year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which package manager became essential to Debian by 1996?

    <p>dpkg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of Bruce Perens' leadership was viewed as controversial?

    <p>His authoritarian style and strong attachment to Debian</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following versions marked the first public release of Debian?

    <p>Debian 0.90</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Debian Overview

    • Debian is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, with optional non-free components.
    • Established by Ian Murdock on August 16, 1993, with the first version (0.01) released on September 15, 1993.
    • The first stable version, Debian 1.1, was released on June 17, 1996.
    • Known for its "Stable" branch, Debian is popular for both personal computers and servers.

    Derived Distributions

    • Serves as the foundation for various other distributions:
      • Proxmox: server-centric distribution.
      • Ubuntu & Linux Mint: desktop-focused distributions.
      • Kali: aimed at penetration testing.
      • Pardus & Astra: tailored for government use.

    Historical Context

    • One of the oldest Linux-based operating systems still actively developed, second only to Slackware.
    • Coordinated by a volunteer team guided by the Debian Project Leader and three foundational documents: the Debian Social Contract, the Debian Constitution, and the Debian Free Software Guidelines.
    • Regular updates with new releases occurring after a time-based freeze.

    Free Software Philosophy

    • Developed openly and distributed freely, aligned with principles of the GNU Project and Free Software.
    • Initially sponsored by the Free Software Foundation from November 1994 to November 1995; however, FSF no longer endorses it due to the inclusion of non-free software and firmware.

    Organizational Support

    • Founded the nonprofit organization Software in the Public Interest on June 16, 1997, to provide financial support for ongoing development.

    Distribution Codenames

    • Codenames for Debian releases are derived from characters in the Toy Story films, with the unstable branch nicknamed "Sid" after a toy-destroying character.

    Ian Murdock's Vision

    • Murdock's goal was to create an openly maintained distribution, leading to the first public release in 1994 (version 0.90), which included the Debian Linux Manifesto.
    • The manifesto articulated the need for a well-maintained distribution that adheres to the true spirit of Linux and GNU.

    Key Developments

    • By 1996, the dpkg package manager became essential for managing Debian packages.
    • Bruce Perens took over project leadership in 1996 and played a crucial role in drafting the Debian Social Contract and guidelines amidst the Free Software vs. Open Source debate.

    Transition and Evolution

    • Initially spurred by dissatisfaction with the Softlanding Linux System (SLS), which was perceived as poorly maintained.
    • Contributions and maintenance of core packages were delegated to Bruce Perens, allowing Murdock to focus on broader project management.

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    Description

    Learn about Debian, a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, its history, and features.

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