Subject: Distribution-HOWTO entry for Debian

From: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 96 13:03 EDT

The entry for Debian in the Distribution-HOWTO stinks. We need to write to
the maintainer Eric S. Raymond <[email-masked]>

I meant to do this for a long time. Could someone please do this, maybe even
someone with a better grasp of how we currently represented ourselves? Bruce?

(BTW: I cut-and-paste this from a zless display in an rxvt into this emacs/vm
      buffer. Why the heck do the empty lines vanish?)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  4.3.  Debian Linux Distribution
     Distributor:
        Ian A. Murdock
        Net: [email-masked] FTP:
        <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info>
     Provider's Description:
        Debian GNU/Linux is a complete and fully-functional Unix-
        compatible operating system for the personal
        computer--specifically, the IBM PC and compatibles.
        Essentially, it is a preliminary release of the GNU operating
        system, integrating the finished parts of GNU with the Linux
        kernel and completing the system with freely redistributable
        software from a number of different sources and systems,
        including 4.4BSD-Lite.  It is intended to be a freely
        redistributable replacement for commercial operating systems,
        but it can be used alongside MS-DOS, OS/2, Unix, etc. and can
        even reside on the same hard disk with them.
        For more information about Debian GNU/Linux, please refer to the
        files at  <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info> in the directory or
        visit our World Wide Web page at  <http://www.debian.org/>.
     Internet Access:
        Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous FTP from
        <ftp.debian.org/debian>,
     Entry last modified:
        23 November 1995
     Editor's comments:
        The Debian distribution is currently under development by a
        ``semi-closed'' group of developers (rather then an individual)
        and has been adopted as the Free Software Foundation's Linux
        distribution.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 
Dirk Eddelb"uttel                             http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/~edd

---

From: Mike Coleman <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 12 Jun 96 10:33 CDT

Joey,

The description looks good to me overall.  Here are a couple comments and
corrections:

	Distributor:
	   Ian A. Murdock & The Debian Linux Association, Station 11, P.O.
	   Box 3121, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA

	   Net: [email-masked]
	   WWW:  <http://www.debian.org/>
	   FTP:  <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/>

- Should the ftp URL actually point to .../debian/doc or just .../debian?

	Provider's Description:
	   Debian Linux 1.1 is a complete and fully-functional Unix-
	   compatible operating system for the personal
	   computer--specifically.  

- sub "for x86-based PCs"?  ("specifically" is awkward here)
				    
				    Debian 1.1 is completely ELF.  At the
	   moment Debian Linux is only available for the IBM PC, but it is
	   worked on versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha machines.

- "being worked on"
- s/machines/architectures/

	   Debian Linux is an easy to upgrade distribution that mostly

- "easy-to-upgrade" or "easily upgradable"

	   consists of freely redistributable software from a number of
	   different sources and systems.  Non-free packages are also
	   available for the sake of a round system.

- s/round/well-rounded/

	   The benefit of Debian Linux is it's upgradability, well defined

- s/benefit/benefits/
- s/is/are/
- s/it's/its/
- s/well defined/well-defined/

	   dependencies between packages and its open development.  It is

- s/packages/packages,/

	   only distribution for Linux that is developed in the internet

- s/only/the only/
- s/is/is being/
- s/internet/Internet/

	   due to the spirit of Linux and free software and not by a
	   handfull of individuals.  More than 100 package maintainers are

- s/handfull/handful/

	   working on about 500 packages and improving Debian Linux.  Even
	   more users are are filing bugreports if there should be any.

- s/are are/are/
- s/bugreports/bug reports/
- "if there..." sounds odd.  Maybe "Debian sports a well-thought-out bug
tracking system by which it users can easily report discovered bugs."

	   Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution.  It is also very
	   picky about security concerns and bugs.  Once a bug or security
	   hint is reported it will be elilminated very quickly.  A new

-s/.../eliminated/

	   release of the package will soon occur on well-known ftp
	   archives.

	   For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to the
	   files at  <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/> or visit our World
	   Wide Web page at  <http://www.debian.org/>.

	Internet Access:
	   Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous FTP from
	   <ftp.debian.org/debian/>,

	Entry last modified:
	   12 June 1996

	Editor's comments:
	   If you're interested in joining this project be invited to

- s/be/you are/

	   subscribe to either [email-masked] or debian-
	   [email-masked] by sending a mail to debian-user-
	   [email-masked] (or debian-devel-request respectively)
	   with the word "help" in the subject line.

---

From: [email-masked] (Emilio Lopes)
Date: Wed, 12 Jun 96 13:17 EST

>>>>> "MS" == Martin Schulze <[email-masked]> wrote:

MS>      Internet Access: Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous

Should be "Debian Linux". :-)

ECL.

-- 
 Emilio C. Lopes <mailto:[email-masked]>
 FINPE, Instituto de Fisica      E-mail: [email-masked]
 Universidade de Sao Paulo       Phone : (+55 11) 818-6724 (Voice)
 Caixa Postal 66318                      (+55 11) 818-6715 (Fax)
 05389-970  Sao Paulo - SP
 BRAZIL

---

From: [email-masked] (Martin Schulze)
Date: Wed, 12 Jun 1996 11:21:34 +0200 (MET DST)

Good morning folks,

Dirk Eddelbuettel has remarked that the text concerning Debian Linux
is outdated in the Distribution-HOWTO.  This morning I took some time
and wrote down what I think is important for this section.

I announce this as a proposal.  I would be happy if any native english
speaker or project leader would look through it and correct it.  As
english is only my second language there probably will be mistakes.

Please feel also free to re-write parts of it.

I would like to get this text out to Eric Raymond in order to have it
updated when 1.1 comes out.

For comparism I first include the original text, quoted by Dirk, then
the SGML text, then the formatted text.

First here's Dirks quote:

}(BTW: I cut-and-paste this from a zless display in an rxvt into this emacs/vm
}      buffer. Why the heck do the empty lines vanish?)
}
}-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
}
}  4.3.  Debian Linux Distribution
}     Distributor:
}        Ian A. Murdock
}        Net: [email-masked] FTP:
}        <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info>
}     Provider's Description:
}        Debian GNU/Linux is a complete and fully-functional Unix-
}        compatible operating system for the personal
}        computer--specifically, the IBM PC and compatibles.
}        Essentially, it is a preliminary release of the GNU operating
}        system, integrating the finished parts of GNU with the Linux
}        kernel and completing the system with freely redistributable
}        software from a number of different sources and systems,
}        including 4.4BSD-Lite.  It is intended to be a freely
}        redistributable replacement for commercial operating systems,
}        but it can be used alongside MS-DOS, OS/2, Unix, etc. and can
}        even reside on the same hard disk with them.
}        For more information about Debian GNU/Linux, please refer to the
}        files at  <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/info> in the directory or
}        visit our World Wide Web page at  <http://www.debian.org/>.
}     Internet Access:
}        Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous FTP from
}        <ftp.debian.org/debian>,
}     Entry last modified:
}        23 November 1995
}     Editor's comments:
}        The Debian distribution is currently under development by a
}        ``semi-closed'' group of developers (rather then an individual)
}        and has been adopted as the Free Software Foundation's Linux
}        distribution.
}-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

And here comes the SGML source:

-- Begin SGML ---------------------------------------------------------
<sect1>Debian Linux Distribution
<p><descrip>
<tag/Distributor:/
	Ian A. Murdock &amp; The Debian Linux Association,
	Station 11,
	P.O. Box 3121,
	West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA 

	Net: <htmlurl url="[email-masked]" name="[email-masked]"> <newline>
	WWW: <url url="http://www.debian.org/"> <newline>
	FTP: <url url="ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/">

<tag/Provider's Description:/
	Debian Linux 1.1 is a complete and fully-functional Unix-compatible
	operating system for the personal computer--specifically.  Debian
	1.1 is completely ELF.  At the moment Debian Linux is only available
	for the IBM PC, but it is worked on versions for Sparc, m68k and
	Alpha machines.

	The benefit of Debian Linux is it's upgradability, well defined
	dependencies between packages and its open development.  It is only
	distribution for Linux that is developed in the internet due to the
	spirit of Linux and free software and not by a handfull of
	individuals.  More than 100 package maintainers are working on
	about 500 packages and improving Debian Linux.  Even more users are
	are filing bugreports if there should be any.

	Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution.  It is also very picky
	about security concerns and bugs.  Once a bug or security hint is
	reported it will be elilminated very quickly.  A new release of the
	package will soon occur on well-known ftp archives.

	For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to the
	files at <url url="ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/"> or visit our
	World Wide Web page at <url url="http://www.debian.org/">.

<tag/Internet Access:/ 
	Debian GNU/Linux is available via anonymous FTP from <url
	url="ftp.debian.org/debian/">,

<tag/Entry last modified:/
	12 June 1996

<tag/Editor's comments:/
	If you're interested in joining this project be invited to
	subscribe to either [email-masked] or
	[email-masked] by sending a mail to
	[email-masked] (or debian-devel-request
	respectively) with the word "help" in the subject line.
</descrip>
-- End SGML -----------------------------------------------------------

And here's the formatted result:

-- Begin Text ---------------------------------------------------------
  4.3.  Debian Linux Distribution

     Distributor:

     Provider's Description:
        computer--specifically.  Debian 1.1 is completely ELF.  At the

     Internet Access:

     Entry last modified:
        12 June 1996

     Editor's comments:
-- End Text -----------------------------------------------------------

Best regards,

	Joey

-- 
  / Martin Schulze  *  [email-masked]  *  26129 Oldenburg /
 /                                     http://home.pages.de/~joey/
/  VFS: no free i-nodes, contact Linus  -- finlandia, Feb '94   /

---

From: [email-masked] (Martin Schulze)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 1996 01:09:20 +0200 (MET DST)

Good night folks,

This morning I wrote:

}Dirk Eddelbuettel has remarked that the text concerning Debian Linux
}is outdated in the Distribution-HOWTO.  This morning I took some time
}and wrote down what I think is important for this section.
}
}I announce this as a proposal.  I would be happy if any native english
}speaker or project leader would look through it and correct it.  As
}english is only my second language there probably will be mistakes.

I have received some corrections for my text.  This is the final
version that I will send to the maintainer if I get an ACK from Bruce
or Ian J.

-- Begin Text ------------------------------------------------

     Distributor:
        The Debian Linux Association, Software in the Public Interest,
        P.O. Box 70152, Pt. Richmond CA 94807-0152

        Net: [email-masked]
        WWW:  <http://www.debian.org/>
        FTP:  <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/>

     Provider's Description:
        Debian Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a
        high-quality non-commercial Linux distribution.  Debian Linux
        1.1 is a complete and fully-functional Unix-compatible operating
        system for the personal computer.  It is completely ELF, but can
        also get to work like an a.out system.  At the moment Debian
        Linux is only available for the IBM PC, but it is beeing worked
        on versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha architectures.

        Debian Linux is an easy-to-upgrade distribution that mostly
        consists of freely redistributable software from a number of
        different sources and systems.  Non-free packages are also
        available for the sake of a well-rounded system.

        The benefits of Debian Linux are its upgradability, well-defined
        dependencies between packages, and its open development.  It is
        the only distribution for Linux that is beeing developed in the
        internet due to the spirit of Linux and free software and not by
        a handful of individuals.  More than 100 package maintainers are
        working on about 500 packages and improving Debian Linux.
        Debian sports a well-thought-out bug tracking system by which
        its users can easily report discovered bugs.

        Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution.  Snap-shot releases
        are made about every three months, the ftp archives are updated
        every day.  It is also very picky about security concerns and
        bugs.  Once a bug or security hint is reported it will be
        eliminated very quickly.  A new release of the package will soon
        occur on well-known ftp archives.

     Internet Access:
        Debian Linux is available via anonymous FTP from
        <ftp.debian.org/debian/> and on a
        <http://www.debian.org/mirrors.html> near to you.

     Entry last modified:
        13 June 1996

     Editor's comments:
        If you're interested in joining this project you are invited to

-- End Text ------------------------------------------------

All the best,

	Joey

-- 
  / Martin Schulze  *  [email-masked]  *  26129 Oldenburg /
 /                                     http://home.pages.de/~joey/
/                     There are lies, statistics and benchmarks /

---

From: [email-masked] (Emilio Lopes)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 96 12:30 EST

>>>>> "MS" == Martin Schulze <[email-masked]> wrote:

MS> I have received some corrections for my text.  This is the final
MS> version that I will send to the maintainer if I get an ACK from
MS> Bruce or Ian J.

It's too late for some comments?

MS> -- Begin Text ------------------------------------------------

MS>   4.3.  Debian Linux Distribution

MS>      Distributor: The Debian Linux Association, Software in the
MS> Public Interest, P.O. Box 70152, Pt. Richmond CA 94807-0152

MS>         Net: [email-masked] WWW:
MS> <http://www.debian.org/> FTP: <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/>

MS>      Provider's Description: Debian Linux is the result of a
MS> volunteer effort to create a high-quality non-commercial Linux
MS> distribution.  Debian Linux 1.1 is a complete and fully-functional
MS> Unix-compatible operating system for the personal computer.  It is
MS> completely ELF, but can also get to work like an a.out system.  At
                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't understand this. Do you mean that the user can make a
downgrade to 0.93 (a.out)? Or do you mean that Debian can run a.out
binaries as well?

What about "It is a completely ELF system, but can run a.out binaries
as well"?

MS> the moment Debian Linux is only available for the IBM PC, but it
MS> is beeing worked on versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha
MS> architectures.

MS>         Debian Linux is an easy-to-upgrade distribution that
MS> mostly consists of freely redistributable software from a number
MS> of different sources and systems.  Non-free packages are also
MS> available for the sake of a well-rounded system.

MS>         The benefits of Debian Linux are its upgradability,
MS> well-defined dependencies between packages, and its open
MS> development.  It is the only distribution for Linux that is beeing

At some point here I think it's important to emphasize that you can
make upgrades without having to install everything from scratch.

MS> developed in the internet due to the spirit of Linux and free
MS> software and not by a handful of individuals.  More than 100
MS> package maintainers are working on about 500 packages and
MS> improving Debian Linux.  Debian sports a well-thought-out bug
MS> tracking system by which its users can easily report discovered
MS> bugs.

MS>         Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution.  Snap-shot
MS> releases are made about every three months, the ftp archives are
MS> updated every day.  It is also very picky about security concerns
MS> and bugs.  Once a bug or security hint is reported it will be
MS> eliminated very quickly.  A new release of the package will soon
MS> occur on well-known ftp archives.

MS>         For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to
MS> the files at <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/> or visit our World
MS> Wide Web page at <http://www.debian.org/>.

MS>      Internet Access: Debian Linux is available via anonymous FTP
MS> from <ftp.debian.org/debian/> and on a
MS> <http://www.debian.org/mirrors.html> near to you.

MS>      Entry last modified: 13 June 1996

MS>      Editor's comments: If you're interested in joining this
MS> project you are invited to subscribe to either
MS> [email-masked] or debian- [email-masked] by
MS> sending a mail to debian-user- [email-masked] (or
MS> debian-devel-request respectively) with the word "help" in the
MS> subject line.

MS> -- End Text ------------------------------------------------

---

From: [email-masked] (Bruce Perens)
Date: Thu, 13 Jun 96 10:23 PDT

> It's too late for some comments?

No, not too late yet. I added one or two comments here. I think
we can put this through another round or two of proposal-and-editing
before we submit it.

	Thanks

	Bruce

Needs line breaks in place of the first two commas.

> What about "It is a completely ELF system, but can run a.out binaries

Replace that sentence with "The system uses ELF executables,
but also includes optional packages you can install to fully support
a.out programs. An optional package provides the a.out development system,
so that you can continue to maintain a.out programs on your new system."

---

From: [email-masked] (Kai Henningsen)
Date: 14 Jun 1996 22:26:00 +0200

This is only spelling fixes and similar stuff.

> we can put this through another round or two of proposal-and-editing

MS>> -- Begin Text ------------------------------------------------

MS>>   4.3.  Debian Linux Distribution

MS>>      Distributor: The Debian Linux Association, Software in the
MS>> Public Interest, P.O. Box 70152, Pt. Richmond CA 94807-0152

> Needs line breaks in place of the first two commas.

MS>>         Net: [email-masked] WWW:
MS>> <http://www.debian.org/> FTP: <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/>

MS>>      Provider's Description: Debian Linux is the result of a
MS>> volunteer effort to create a high-quality non-commercial Linux
MS>> distribution.  Debian Linux 1.1 is a complete and fully-functional
MS>> Unix-compatible operating system for the personal computer.  It is
MS>> completely ELF, but can also get to work like an a.out system.  At

MS>> the moment Debian Linux is only available for the IBM PC, but it
MS>> is beeing worked on versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha
MS>> architectures.

... but versions for Spark, m68k and Alpha are under development.

MS>>         Debian Linux is an easy-to-upgrade distribution that
MS>> mostly consists of freely redistributable software from a number
MS>> of different sources and systems.  Non-free packages are also
MS>> available for the sake of a well-rounded system.

MS>>         The benefits of Debian Linux are its upgradability,
MS>> well-defined dependencies between packages, and its open
MS>> development.  It is the only distribution for Linux that is beeing

"being". Really.

[Personally, I'd prefer not to use absolutes like "the only X".]

> > make upgrades without having to install everything from scratch.

MS>> developed in the internet due to the spirit of Linux and free

"on the Internet, in the spirit of"

MS>> software and not by a handful of individuals.  More than 100
MS>> package maintainers are working on about 500 packages and
MS>> improving Debian Linux.  Debian sports a well-thought-out bug
MS>> tracking system by which its users can easily report discovered
MS>> bugs.

MS>>         Debian Linux is a very dynamic distribution.  Snap-shot
MS>> releases are made about every three months, the ftp archives are
MS>> updated every day.  It is also very picky about security concerns
MS>> and bugs.  Once a bug or security hint is reported it will be
MS>> eliminated very quickly.  A new release of the package will soon
MS>> occur on well-known ftp archives.

MS>>         For more information about Debian Linux, please refer to
MS>> the files at <ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/doc/> or visit our World
MS>> Wide Web page at <http://www.debian.org/>.

MS>>      Internet Access: Debian Linux is available via anonymous FTP
MS>> from <ftp.debian.org/debian/> and on a

"mirror" missing here.

MS>> <http://www.debian.org/mirrors.html> near to you.

MS>>      Entry last modified: 13 June 1996

MS>>      Editor's comments: If you're interested in joining this
MS>> project you are invited to subscribe to either
MS>> [email-masked] or debian- [email-masked] by
                                            * no space
MS>> sending a mail to debian-user- [email-masked] (or
                                   * no space
MS>> debian-devel-request respectively) with the word "help" in the
MS>> subject line.

MS>> -- End Text ------------------------------------------------

MfG Kai

---

From: [email-masked] (Martin Schulze)
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 96 20:28 MET DST

You write:

}This is only spelling fixes and similar stuff.

}MS>> the moment Debian Linux is only available for the IBM PC, but it
}MS>> is beeing worked on versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha
}MS>> architectures.

}... but versions for Spark, m68k and Alpha are under development.
                          ^
			  c

Now:

  Presently Debian Linux is available for the IBM PC architecture
  (386/486/Pentium) with versions for Sparc, m68k and Alpha
  architectures well under way.

}"being". Really.

Already fixed. Thanks anyway.
:((

}[Personally, I'd prefer not to use absolutes like "the only X".]
'-)

}"on the Internet, in the spirit of"

Now:

  It is the only distribution of Linux that is being developed
  co-operatively by many individuals through the Internet, in the same
  spirit as Linux and other Free Software.

}"mirror" missing here.

Oops, who ate it? format? Wait...
I have modified the line, now the "mirror" occurs in the ascii version
as well. Thanks.

Regards,

	Joey
-- 
  / Martin Schulze  *  [email-masked]  *  26129 Oldenburg /
 /                                     http://home.pages.de/~joey/
/ The only stupid question is the unasked one                   /