Debian GNU/Linux -- The Universal Operating System
Author: J.A. Bezemer, debian-boot@lists.debian.org
Description: Debian GNU/Linux is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system. It is maintained and updated through the work of many users who volunteer their time and effort.
Keywords: debian, GNU, linux, unix, open source, free, DFSG

(Text version)

Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 r5 "Sarge" - Official i386 Binary-1 CD

| Debian home page Intro About This CD Installing Using CDs with apt CD Manufacturers More Information Browse this CD-ROM `` |  |  | Welcome to the exciting world of Debian GNU/Linux! ## Intro This is one of the CD-ROMs of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Debian is a very extensive collection of software. But it is more. It is a complete Operating System (OS) for your computer. And it is free (as in "freedom"). An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. At the core of an operating system is the kernel. The kernel is the most fundamental program on the computer, which does all the basic housekeeping and lets you start other programs. Debian is kernel independent. It currently uses the Linux kernel but work is in progress to provide Debian for other kernels, using the Hurd. Most of the basic operating system tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux. Debian is available for various kinds of computers ("architectures"), like "IBM-compatible" PCs (i386), Compaq's Alpha, Motorola's 680x0 (m68k), Sun's Sparc, Motorola/IBM's PowerPC, and (Strong)ARM processors. Check the ports page for more information. Read more... ## About This CD This CD-ROM is labeled `Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 r5 "Sarge" - Official i386 Binary-1` which means that this CD is number 1 of 1 CDs containing programs ("binaries") for `i386' computers. The programs on the Binary CDs are ordered by popularity. The Binary-1 CD contains the most popular programs and the installation tools; it is possible to install and run Debian with only the Binary-1 CD. The other CDs, up to Binary-1, contain mostly special-interest programs. ## Installing Because Debian is a complete Operating System, the installation procedure may seem a bit unusual. You can install Debian GNU/Linux either alongside your current OS, or as the only OS on your computer. An Installation Guide for this CD is available from the Debian web site. Programs and other files that are needed for the installation can be found on this CD under `/tools/` and `/install/floppy/` For the impatient ones: you can start the installation program easily by booting off this CD-ROM. Note that not all (esp. older) systems support this. You can also examine the `/install` directory; you might be able to start the installation system directly from there. ## Using Apt After installing or upgrading, Debian's packaging system can use CD-ROMs, local collections, or networked servers (FTP, HTTP) to automatically install software from (`.deb` packages). This is done preferably with the `apt' and `aptitude' programs. You can install packages from the commandline using `apt-get`. For example, if you want to install the packages `commprog' and `maxgame', you can give the command `apt-get install commprog maxgame` Note that you don't have to enter the complete path, or the ``.deb`' extension. `Apt' will figure this out itself. Or use aptitude for a full screen interactive selection of available Debian packages. ## CD Manufacturers You are completely free to manufacture and re-distribute CD-ROMs of the Debian GNU/Linux Operating System, like this one. There is no charge from us (but of course donations are always welcome). For all needed information and contact addresses, please refer to `http://www.debian.org/CD/` ## More Information There is much more information present on this CD. Besides the already mentioned installation and upgrading procedures, this is the most interesting: Debian FAQ The Debian Constitution The Debian Manifesto Debian's Social Contract Bug reporting instructions Also on the Internet are many resources. To name a few: The Debian homepage Debian Documentation Debian User Support The Linux Documentation Project General Linux homepage See the Debian contact page for information on contacting us. Last Modified: Sat Mar 20 12:30:45 EST 2004