Debian GNU/Linux 5.0: Flexible and (Almost) Free

[ Thanks to Jmaguire for this link. ]

"This flexibility, of course, is why Debian is the ancestor of distributions ranging from Ubuntu and Mepis to Knoppix and Linux Mint. By contrast, the release schedule matters less for many users, because they constantly upgrade their systems anyway. A new Debian release is simply a new version of the Debian stable repository, and of interest mainly to those running servers and other installations in which robustness is the main consideration. For such users, dependability is more important than the latest software packages.

"Like other Debian releases, version 5.0 is available in a variety of formats. The default GNOME installation is available as a set of 31 CDs or 5 DVDs; you can also substitute the first CD for an installation based on KDE or Xfce.

"A much quicker option -- and the one I used -- is to download a netinstall or a business card image, which includes only a base system and requires an internet connection for a full installation.

"Installation

"Among those who have never tried Debian, the distribution has a reputation as being hard to install. The truth is, Debian has had user-friendly installers for a couple of releases now. While the default is the text-installer, installing Debian from a graphical interface is only slightly harder than installing Fedora or Ubuntu -- and then only because you have options such as choosing GNOME, KDE, LXDE, or Xfce for your desktop or choosing an advanced partitioning scheme."

Complete Story

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• Looking at Lenny: hands on with Debian 5.0(Feb 18, 2009)
• Debian 5's Five Best Features(Feb 17, 2009)
• 'Lenny': Debian for the masses?(Feb 17, 2009)
• Lenny finally arrived!(Feb 16, 2009)