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03.07.14

Debian’s Importance is Growing

Posted in Debian, GNU/Linux, Red Hat at 8:48 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Summary: Updates and news from the Debian camp, focusing on the silent or lesser-acknowledged role of this international project in computing

Linux Mint, which does not come with Amazon spyware (unlike Ubuntu, which fell behind Mint in DistroWatch), seems to be leaning more and more towards Debian with this new release [1] which was reviewed some hours ago (in the publication sense) [2] and surely has momentum [3]. Even the release candidate (RC) [4] received such coverage [5] (mind the UEFI ‘secure’ boot rant), proving that there is definitely some interest from users (Jim Lynch’s/IDG’s sensationalist headline merely links to screenshots like these [6]).

Debian recently added OpenRISC support [7,8] (Debian is perhaps best known for huge hardware diversity) and there is a new project for better security [9] (think of it like SELinux, except intervention of the criminal NSA, which wants back doors in Linux [1, 2, 3, 4]). Red Hat's Systemd may not be the only option [10], but we don’t know for sure yet. Someone needs to continue to offer alternatives to Systemd. Debian is very important with its many new derivatives [11], role in hardware [12] and embedded domination [13] (bar Android and closed Linux-based systems), hence the importance of its decision on init systems.

A strong Debian (and derivatives like Ubuntu) acts as an essential regulating force in the face of Red Hat/CentOS domination; lack of diversity, history teaches, limits security and increases vulnerability. █

Related/contextual items from the news:

  1. Linux Mint Debian 201403 released!

    The team is proud to announce the release of LMDE 201403.

  2. Debian, Mint (LMDE), SolydX and Tanglu, compared and contrasted

    The four distributions obviously have a lot in common; Debian is well known as one of the oldest, best established and most respected Linux distributions, Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) is derived from Debian, with a lot of the goodies which have been developed for the Linux Mint ‘main’ distribution added, and both SolydXK and Tanglu are derived from a combination of those two plus a good bit of work in packaging, repositories, updates, appearances and such.

  3. Are there enough users for Linux Mint Debian Edition to survive?

    The Linux Mint blog is reporting that Linux Mint Debian Edition 201403 has been released. LMDE is a semi-rolling distro that is based on Debian Testing. It is a good alternative for those who want the features of Linux Mint without having to use Ubuntu as its base.

  4. Linux Mint Debian 201403 RC released!

    We look forward to receiving your feedback. Thank you for using Linux Mint and have a lot of fun testing the release candidate!

  5. Hands-on with Linux Mint Debian Edition 201403 release candidate

    The installation was absolutely routine with the exception of the well-known difficulty with UEFI firmware configuration on the HP Pavilion. There was even good news on that system, though, because the very difficult wi-fi adapter (Ralink 3290) seems to work just fine.

  6. Linux Mint 201403 Debian Cinnamon
  7. Debian for OpenRISC
  8. Debian Ported To OpenRISC Architecture
  9. Debian Mempo Still Aiming For Better Security

    Mempo is a project started in H2’2013 that’s been trying to provide a secure yet robust Debian platform that currently classifies itself in a “pre-alpha” state. Mempo is patching Debian packages with better security and privacy, providing newer versions of packages than what’s found in Debian, using a hardened “GrSecurity” Linux kernel, and is working to support other work in and outside of Debian.

  10. Debian TC Won’t Pass Resolution Over Init System Coupling

    Since the Debian technical committee decided they will use systemd over Upstart, the latest vote on their agenda was over init system coupling and how Debian developers maintaining packages should deal with different init systems or what guidance the technical committee should send to these package maintainers.

  11. A look at Tanglu 1.0 ‘Aequorea Victoria’ GNOME

    Tanglu is a fairly young project and perhaps has flown under the radar somewhat. The 1.0 release is a major milestone for the distribution, which is based on a mixture of Debian Testing, Debian Unstable and in some cases even Debian Experimental.

  12. Debian 7: PCI Serial, at last
  13. Tiny ARM/FPGA Zynq COM does Debian

    PLDA has launched an SODIMM-like computer-on-module claimed to be the smallest Xilinx Zynq COM yet, supported with a carrier board and Debian Linux BSP

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