Debian - a strange duck?

[GeoffreyN]

Currently using Mandrake 7.2 but just about persuaded that it is about time I installed Debian when I read this on another thread
(http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=015087)
"...my spider senses tell me to try to stay away from debian. Debian is a strange duck. It's a GNU OS, of which their basic debian uses a linux kernel. Technically, it's linux; they just seem to want to take a different path than everyone else."
Nobody came back and argued with him so do I presume that what he says is true? But what does it mean? Debian is technically Linux but not really? How is it not linux?
I've read many posts extolling the virtues of debian but this is the first one I've read arguing against it (apart from it might be a bit difficult for a complete newbie).
My question is - is debian a mainstream linux implementation or is it a variant that will get further and further away from "true" linux?

[gwpritch]

I didn't read the original post so maybe I shouldn't say this...but what the hell. No one probably argued because it was a ludicrous statement to begin with. Debian is as linux as Tux.
I started out with Mandrake and loved it for over a year. I switched to debian about two months ago and wouldn't go back.
If you know the workings of Mandrake you'll recognise the workings of Debian.
Its the unique features of debian that will hook you. Apt-get, the install/update app, Is the greatest inovation yet for linux. It allows you to install any app and keep your OS totally current with very little fuss or bother.
Even the install was no where near as demanding as I was led to believe it might be. Give it a try.

[TheMuso]

Debian's install, I found, was actually a lot easier than Mandrakes. I my opinion, if you don't want X-Windows to be installed, it won't bother you any more about it. When I installed Mandrake, it still asked me about configuring X. With Debian, you only install what you want on your system, which makes it easier to administer and configure.

However, Debian is not for everybody. So even though sometimes people might say you would never turn back, I think ou will find some people just want to have things done for them, and just think other distributions have gone in better directions.

Anyway, good luck with using Debian and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

[Tiger]

Debian is probaly closer to the original idea of Linux than any other distro.

The whole idea behind Debian is that they won't include any software that isn't totally, 100% GNU GPL compliant. If the source code for any program isn't freely disributable and modifiable by the user it doesn't go in the base distro. For example, Debian doesn't come with Netscape.

That doesn't mean you can't use it, it just means they won't include any proprietary code. Installing all of the software you use in any other distro is as easy as using apt-get.

Debian is also an all volunteer effort spread out around the world. Nobody's making any money other than what's needed to maintain and upgrade the distro.

[bdl]

I believe the person that made the comments against the use of debian is a bit confused. It's all semantics, basically, but the idea behind GNU/Linux is the fact that much of the software and system format of Linux distros were around before the actual Linux kernel came to be. It's all unix to me, but some purists would have you call it "GNU/Linux" and not simply call it by the name of the kernel itself. Debian is also working with the HURD kernel, something that Richard Stallman and the GNU folks were working on but were not able to get out of the gate until long after Linux took hold. Personally I love debian, I switched from Slackware and havent looked back. There is a slight learning curve involved, especially if you're coming from a mostly GUI distro like Mandrake, but it's good for ya. As far as debian 'getting further from Linux', I'd say that we'd be lucky if every distro was to become more like debian. Please check out Gnu.org (http://www.gnu.org) and Debian.org (http://www.debian.org) for more info on GNU/Linux. Have Fun!

[HuggyBear]

If your new to Linux stick with a distro like Mandrake and see what the OS can do. When you have learned the ropes, so to speak, switch to Debian. Debian is very easy to somone who understands the terminology used in Linux. But it is very frustrating to somone new(I speak with experience).

Excellent Distro!
Huggy

[Craig McPherson]

Debian is the only decent and worthwhile OS in existence today. It's also the only Linux operating system developed entirely by volunteers rather than big corporations and businesses. ".org", not ".com".

[ColdPack]

Also speaking from experience, I must say that my first experience with Linux was RedHat5.2. I was extraordinarily unimpressed.
I am not much of a tinkerer nor am I a programmer... to be quite honest, I messed with computers a lot as a kid (TRS-80 Color Computer with 16K of RAM! Wow! The upgrade to 64K, of course, made that machine PURR! ;) )... but not much at all after that.
AT age 30, I delved into linux with the redhat thing and, would've chucked it all if it werent' for Debian (well, at the time, Storm "Rain").
I only use windows now at work (as that is what we ALL use and there's no way that's changing any time soon). At home, it's linux... and that would be the Debian flavor.
Really, it makes the most sense to me and I truly appreciate the efforts and direction of the Debian developers.
So, my two cents there. Whatever they're worth to ya!

[cage47]

Besides, How many distros can you install from floppies??? And with all the distros around dropping like flies (Storm,Corel,maybe Caldera,etc) Debian stands out with Mandrake as the two leaders IMHO. :D