“The Debian distribution holds a unique place among Linux
distributions. Most Linux distributions are based primarily on
software packages developed by volunteer organizations open to
anyone, although the distributions themselves are usually closed
commercial ventures. Debian, on the other hand, is developed
entirely by volunteers. It is also formally refered to as Debian
GNU/Linux.”
“The Debian organization does not directly manufacture or sell
CDs or other media containing the software that it develops (a
shrink-wrap version of Debian GNU/Linux is “sponsored” by O’Reilly,
SGI, and VA Linux Systems). Instead, it provides it free of charge
to both end users and any vendors interested in selling and/or
supporting the distribution. (For those readers who may be
wondering about the name, it is derived from the names of it’s
creator Ian Murdock and his wife Debra.) The Debian project is
actually part of the Software in the Public Interest (SPI), a
non-profit organization also dedicated to promoting
hardware/software interoperability through the Open Hardware
Certification Program.”