Debian Archive

The Debian GNU/FreeBSD port has recently made significant progress using the GNU C library as a base instead of FreeBSD's libc. This project tries to port the Debian system, which is based on GNU, on top of the FreeBSD OS.

Another Debian installation guide with some screenshots. OSNews' is here.

After opening beta testing to all levels of users, Libranet 2.8 is easier to install, configure and integrate. Read the review at LinuxJournal.

MadPenguin features a review of Libranet 2.8. And he seems to like it.

The Debian-based Libranet 2.8 is finaly released. Order & download, read the feature-set or an intro.

Trusted Debian has released 1.0 of their distribution. Trusted Debian provides a Linux environment with features like RSBAC for access control and PaX to provide overflow checking. And a demonstration can be found here.

We have all heard the horror stories of how GNU/Linux is difficult, if not almost impossible, as far as general desktop usability is concerned. In particular, there seems to be a continuous stream of gripes printed across the Internet, from Microsoft Windows users who wish, or have tried, to migrate to GNU/Linux, yet gave up in frustration. But what happens when complete computer newbies are introduced to GNU/Linux? By computer newbies, I am referring to those who have no computer experience whatsoever, in either a Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix or other environment.

The Trusted Debian project aims to create a highly secure but usable Linux platform. To accomplish this, the project will use currently available security solutions for Linux (like kernel patches, compiler patches, security related programs and techniques) and knit these together to a highly secure Linux platform. The first official Trusted Debian beta release, v0.9 is now available.

For the serious techno-geek, Linux Orbit takes a look at installing Debian GNU/Linux on a Netwinder 3100 mini server. Lots of screen shots and configuration files included.

If you are reading this, I assume you already know what the Linux kernel is and why you may want to update it. However, if you are accidentally reading this walkthrough, just happen to be running Linux, and have no idea what the kernel is or why you would want to update it, the next two paragraphs are for you (if you are looking instead into a less verbose and more generic way of updating your kernel on any Linux distro, read here). In a neophyte nutshell, the Linux kernel is the brain of the Linux system. It tells your system which file systems, hardware, protocols, etc. are supported. There is a lot more to it than that, of course, but I think that diminutive description will suffice for now.

Ryan Murray posted the news to debian-devel-announce yesterday. After long preparations and tests (and waiting for gcc to compile and work properly on m68k - Robot101) Debian has finally changed the default compiler to gcc 3.2 on all architectures in the Sid branch.

An anonymous reader wrote in to tell us, "DesktopLinux.com caught up with Colin Walters of the Debian Desktop subproject. Launched in late October, the project aims to simplify Desktop Linux. Walters discusses the project goal to offer "Software which Just Works" for home and office, new user and expert." The rest can be found at DesktopLinux.com.

Ladislav Bodnar writes "Libranet GNU/Linux, a commercial Linux distribution based on Debian, has been given increasingly positive coverage in Linux media. Its recipe for success is simple - it attempts to remedy some of the often cited shortcomings of Debian proper, by providing a simple installer, user-friendly system configuration tools and up-to-date selection of software packages. Combine that with a friendly user community and you have a winner. Let us investigate what Libranet is about and why you should give it a serious thought when choosing your Linux distribution." Read the rest of the review at Distrowatch.

A very common question that comes up when trying Debian GNU/Linux is how the heck do you get Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (a.k.a. ALSA) sound modules set up properly? In this HOWTO LinuxOrbit shows you how to compile and install the ALSA kernel modules, and then setup things using the ALSA Debian script so that modules are automatically loaded and unloaded, and your mixer levels are saved and restored on boot up.