Debian - was Re: Server Distros

[Collins]

On Tue, 24 Dec 2002 22:18:24 -0800 Ken Moffat <kmoffat at drizzle.com>
wrote:
> David A. Bandel wrote:

> > This is not a recommendation, and particularly _not_ for
> > inexperienced folks:
> > 
> > Lately, despite my distaste for the GNU zealots, I've returned to
> > using Debian.  There's an installer for XFS too.
> > 
> > Danger Will Robinson:  Debian is difficult to install compared to
> > other distros.  It also installs and turns on a lot of crap if you
> > don't watch.
> > 
> > On the upside:  one of the easiest to maintain w/ security
> > patches, particularly over a phone line or other slow connection
> > (a chicken could do it -- peck, peck).
> > 
> > There are also 4 places in /etc that need editing to remove the
> > incorrect usage of GNU as the owner of Linux and a few more below
> > that.
> > 

> Libranet provides an easy install of debian, and old version 2 is a
> free download. It's apt-get upgradeable. The paid version, 2.7, is
> much more recent. ($50)
> 
> And I hear debian is coming out with a new installer. Supposed to be
> 
> much improved. (it's in alpha testing?)
> 
> Those rpm distros are put to shame by the debian packaging system.
> 
> -- 

Here's an invitation for you debian types in the group. How's about an
SxS HowTo (or multiples) on working with debian and updates (the
complete idiot's guide to debian).  

For example, it's quite simple to get a fairly current debian base
system installed from the Knoppix CD (or a not-so-current system from
the Libranet download).  Once I did that, however, I gave up on it
pretty quickly because I didn't have the knowledge required to make
things work and I didn't want to spend several weeks of RTFM just to
figure it out.  Debian boot scripts and use of /etc is just a bit
weird (IMHO).  Yes I know that gentoo boot scripts are also weird, but
I understand how they work.  Slackware boot scripts and /etc usage are
also weird, so debian and gentoo aren't unique in that respect.

Some thoughts:

	modules configuration
	database(s) and setup for upgrades
	communications stuff (eth0, dhcp, dialup, etc.)
	cd writer quirks for debian
	sites and sources for upgrades
	a really simple primer on debian packages
	probably more that I can't think of right now in the way of little
tricks that are
		unique for debian
	As David suggested, how to seek out and destroy GNU/Linux wherever it
		rears it's ugly head.

It may turn out that this is reinventing the wheel, so the SxS might
simply be a series of links pointing to existing debian documentation?

Just my $.02.

-- 
Collins Richey - Denver Area
Gentoo 1.4 sytem