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Operating Systems => Linux and UNIX => Topic started by: Agent007 on 13 December 2002, 21:50

Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: Agent007 on 13 December 2002, 21:50
Hi guys,

I'm running RH8, since everyone talks alot about Debian, I'd like to know the major differences between debian and RH8.

thanks,
007
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: Master of Reality on 13 December 2002, 22:51
Debian uses a different packaging system. it uses "apt-get" wich can automatically download package files which have a .deb extension. I havent used debian more than a couple seconds so i cant say much more.
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: Calum on 13 December 2002, 22:59
ask creedon, he uses it.
the difference though as i have heard is that debian is not a red hat copy like mandrake is, it has its own package management system (that all debian users will say is superior to any other package management system) and so on and so on. why not go to debian.org and see what they're saying about it?
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: voidmain on 14 December 2002, 00:23
Red Hat is developed by a company, Debian is developed by the community.
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: creedon on 14 December 2002, 00:33
As Calum said, I use Debian.  The difference between Debian and the rpm-based distros is more than package management, although apt/dpkg is a great system.  There's a philosophical difference; Debian is a group of volunteers that have built the (arguably) most stable Linux distibution available.  Their quality control is extremely stringent; the "stable" branch usually will not crash unless the system has a hardware failure.  The more "cutting egde" branches ( testing, unstable) are somewhat more prone to crashes, but they still run very well on most systems.  It is perfectly possible to install Debian "stable" and never have to re-install; that was the original intent of apt/dpkg.  When a new "stable" branch was released, the operator only had to establish an internet connection, enter "apt-get dist-upgrade" (without uotes) and the system would be automatically upgraded to the latest release, with no problems like dependancies or software conflicts, all at no cost to the owner (did I mention that Debian is a FREE operating system?)
All in all, I've found Debian to be tehnologically, morally and financially a VERY satisfying experience.
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: DJ on 14 December 2002, 00:42
I know it probably not a GUI spectacular OS but does anyone mind posting/linking to a couple pics?

Dj
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: choasforages on 14 December 2002, 00:45
picture of debian, ummm, my setup normally included windowmaker and a few changes, and it is as graphical as any other version of linux if you want it to be
Title: Whats so great about Debian?
Post by: creedon on 14 December 2002, 00:55
quote:
Originally posted by choasforages:
picture of debian, ummm, my setup normally included windowmaker and a few changes, and it is as graphical as any other version of linux if you want it to be
Agreed, Debian can be a complete CLI system, or you can get KDE 3.1 to run; it's all up to the individual.