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diff --git a/includes/lenny/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html b/includes/lenny/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c7115e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/lenny/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,522 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ</title> + +<link href="index.en.html" rel="start"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html" rel="prev"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html" rel="next"> +<link href="index.en.html#contents" rel="contents"> +<link href="index.en.html#copyright" rel="copyright"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html" rel="chapter" title="1 Definitions and overview"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html" rel="chapter" title="2 Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html" rel="chapter" title="3 Choosing a Debian distribution"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html" rel="chapter" title="4 Compatibility issues"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html" rel="chapter" title="5 Software available in the Debian system"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html" rel="chapter" title="6 The Debian FTP archives"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html" rel="chapter" title="7 Basics of the Debian package management system"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html" rel="chapter" title="8 The Debian package management tools"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html" rel="chapter" title="9 Keeping your Debian system up-to-date"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html" rel="chapter" title="10 Debian and the kernel"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html" rel="chapter" title="11 Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html" rel="chapter" title="12 Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html" rel="chapter" title="13 Contributing to the Debian Project"> +<link href="ch-redistrib.en.html" rel="chapter" title="14 Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html" rel="chapter" title="15 Changes expected in the next major release of Debian"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html" rel="chapter" title="16 General information about the FAQ"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisfaq" rel="section" title="1.1 What is this FAQ?"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisdebian" rel="section" title="1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-linux" rel="section" title="1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-non-linux" rel="section" title="1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-difference" rel="section" title="1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-gnu" rel="section" title="1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?"> +<link href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-pronunciation" rel="section" title="1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-version" rel="section" title="2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-updatestable" rel="section" title="2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-boot-floppies" rel="section" title="2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdrom" rel="section" title="2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimage-symlinks" rel="section" title="2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-remoteinstall" rel="section" title="2.6 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?"> +<link href="ch-getting.en.html#s-alternativebootinstaller" rel="section" title="2.7 Are there any alternative strategies for booting the system installer?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1" rel="section" title="3.1 Which Debian distribution (stable/testing/unstable) is better for me?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2" rel="section" title="3.2 But what about Knoppix, Linex, Ubuntu, and others?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches" rel="section" title="4.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherdistribs" rel="section" title="4.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices" rel="section" title="4.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherpackages" rel="section" title="4.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-non-debian-programs" rel="section" title="4.5 How should I install a non-Debian program?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-termcap" rel="section" title="4.6 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-accelx" rel="section" title="4.7 Why can't I install AccelX?"> +<link href="ch-compat.en.html#s-motifnls" rel="section" title="4.8 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps" rel="section" title="5.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-softwareauthors" rel="section" title="5.2 Who wrote all that software?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-pkglist" rel="section" title="5.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-buildenv" rel="section" title="5.4 How can I install a developer's environment to build packages?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-missing" rel="section" title="5.5 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-no-devs" rel="section" title="5.6 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-java" rel="section" title="5.7 (How) Does Debian support Java?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-isitdebian" rel="section" title="5.8 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish" rel="section" title="5.9 How does Debian support non-English languages?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine" rel="section" title="5.10 Where is pine?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-qmail" rel="section" title="5.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-flash" rel="section" title="5.12 Where is a player for Flash (SWF)?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-googleearth" rel="section" title="5.13 Where is Google Earth?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-voip" rel="section" title="5.14 Where is VoIP software?"> +<link href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonfreewireless" rel="section" title="5.15 I have a wireless network card which doesn't work with Linux. What should I do?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists" rel="section" title="6.1 How many Debian distributions are there?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-codenames" rel="section" title="6.2 What are all those names like etch, lenny, etc.?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sid" rel="section" title="6.3 What about "sid"?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-stable" rel="section" title="6.4 What does the stable directory contain?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-testing" rel="section" title="6.5 What does the testing distribution contain?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-unstable" rel="section" title="6.6 What does the unstable distribution contain?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree" rel="section" title="6.7 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-archsections" rel="section" title="6.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-source" rel="section" title="6.9 Where is the source code?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-pools" rel="section" title="6.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-incoming" rel="section" title="6.11 What is "incoming"?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-ownrepository" rel="section" title="6.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-package" rel="section" title="7.1 What is a Debian package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-deb-format" rel="section" title="7.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgname" rel="section" title="7.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile" rel="section" title="7.4 What is a Debian control file?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile" rel="section" title="7.5 What is a Debian conffile?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts" rel="section" title="7.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-priority" rel="section" title="7.7 What is an <em>Essential</em>, <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-virtual" rel="section" title="7.8 What is a Virtual Package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-depends" rel="section" title="7.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pre-depends" rel="section" title="7.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgstatus" rel="section" title="7.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em>, <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-puttingonhold" rel="section" title="7.12 How do I put a package on hold?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcepkgs" rel="section" title="7.13 How do I install a source package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcebuild" rel="section" title="7.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?"> +<link href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-creatingdebs" rel="section" title="7.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-pkgprogs" rel="section" title="8.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-updaterunning" rel="section" title="8.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-whatpackages" rel="section" title="8.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-listfiles" rel="section" title="8.4 How to display the files of a package installed?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-filesearch" rel="section" title="8.5 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-datapackages" rel="section" title="8.6 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-howtocurrent" rel="section" title="9.1 How can I keep my Debian system current?"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-upgradesingle" rel="section" title="9.2 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-savedebs" rel="section" title="9.3 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-keepingalog" rel="section" title="9.4 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-autoupdate" rel="section" title="9.5 Can I automatically update the system?"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptproxy" rel="section" title="9.6 I have several machines how can I download the updates only one time?"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-non-debian-kernel" rel="section" title="10.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-customkernel" rel="section" title="10.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-custombootdisk" rel="section" title="10.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-modules" rel="section" title="10.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?"> +<link href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-removeoldkernel" rel="section" title="10.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-papersize" rel="section" title="11.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-hardwareaccess" rel="section" title="11.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-consolefont" rel="section" title="11.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-appdefaults" rel="section" title="11.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-booting" rel="section" title="11.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's."> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-custombootscripts" rel="section" title="11.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-interconffiles" rel="section" title="11.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert" rel="section" title="11.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-localpackages" rel="section" title="11.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?"> +<link href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse" rel="section" title="11.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs" rel="section" title="12.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-onlineresources" rel="section" title="12.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-searchtools" rel="section" title="12.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs" rel="section" title="12.4 Are there logs of known bugs?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-bugreport" rel="section" title="12.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib" rel="section" title="13.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contribresources" rel="section" title="13.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-supportingorganizations" rel="section" title="13.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?"> +<link href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-sellcds" rel="section" title="14.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?"> +<link href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-packagednonfree" rel="section" title="14.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?"> +<link href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro" rel="section" title="14.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?"> +<link href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-commercialdebs" rel="section" title="14.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-i18n" rel="section" title="15.1 Extended support for non-English users"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-dependencybasedboot" rel="section" title="15.2 Faster booting: Dependency based boot sequence"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-di" rel="section" title="15.3 Improvements in the Debian Installer"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morearches" rel="section" title="15.4 More architectures"> +<link href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morekernels" rel="section" title="15.5 More kernels"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors" rel="section" title="16.1 Authors"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback" rel="section" title="16.2 Feedback"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-latest" rel="section" title="16.3 Availability"> +<link href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-docformat" rel="section" title="16.4 Document format"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.1" rel="subsection" title="3.1.1 You asked me to install stable, but in stable so and so hardware is not detected/working. What should I do?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.2" rel="subsection" title="3.1.2 Will there be different different versions of packages in different distributions?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.3" rel="subsection" title="3.1.3 The stable distributions really contains outdated packages. Just look at Kde, Gnome, Xorg or even the kernel. They are very old. Why is it so?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.4" rel="subsection" title="3.1.4 If I were to decide to change to another distribution, Can I do that?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.5" rel="subsection" title="3.1.5 Could you tell me whether to install testing or unstable?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.6" rel="subsection" title="3.1.6 You are talking about testing being broken. What do you mean by that?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.7" rel="subsection" title="3.1.7 Why is it that testing could be broken for months? Wont the fixes introduced in unstable flow directly down into testing?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.8" rel="subsection" title="3.1.8 From an administrator's point of view, Which distribution requires more attention?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.9" rel="subsection" title="3.1.9 What happens when a new release is made?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.10" rel="subsection" title="3.1.10 I have a working Desktop/cluster with Debian installed. How do I know which distribution I am running?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.11" rel="subsection" title="3.1.11 I am currently tracking stable. Can I change to testing or unstable? If so, How?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.12" rel="subsection" title="3.1.12 I am currently tracking testing (lenny). What will happen when a release is made? Will I still be tracking testing or will my machine be running the new stable distribution?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.13" rel="subsection" title="3.1.13 I am still confused. What did you say I should install?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.1" rel="subsection" title="3.2.1 I know that Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... is Debian-based. So after installing it on the hard disk, can I use 'apt' package tools on it?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.2" rel="subsection" title="3.2.2 I installed Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... on my hard disk. Now I have a problem. What should I do?"> +<link href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.3" rel="subsection" title="3.2.3 I'm using Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... and now I want to use Debian. How do I migrate?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-oldcodenames" rel="subsection" title="6.2.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sourceforcodenames" rel="subsection" title="6.2.2 Where do these codenames come from?"> +<link href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-frozen" rel="subsection" title="6.5.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg" rel="subsection" title="8.1.1 dpkg"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get" rel="subsection" title="8.1.2 APT"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude" rel="subsection" title="8.1.3 aptitude"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-synaptic" rel="subsection" title="8.1.4 synaptic"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-tasksel" rel="subsection" title="8.1.5 tasksel"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-extra" rel="subsection" title="8.1.6 Other package management tools"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dselect" rel="subsection" title="8.1.6.1 dselect"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-deb" rel="subsection" title="8.1.6.2 dpkg-deb"> +<link href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-split" rel="subsection" title="8.1.6.3 dpkg-split"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptitude-upgrade" rel="subsection" title="9.1.1 aptitude"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt" rel="subsection" title="9.1.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-update_aptitude" rel="subsection" title="9.1.3 aptitude"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-mirror" rel="subsection" title="9.1.4 mirror"> +<link href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable" rel="subsection" title="9.1.5 dpkg-mountable"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.1" rel="subsection" title="12.2.1 Mailing lists"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s-mailinglistconduct" rel="subsection" title="12.2.1.1 What is the code of conduct for the mailing lists?"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.2" rel="subsection" title="12.2.2 Web forums"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.3" rel="subsection" title="12.2.3 Wiki"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.4" rel="subsection" title="12.2.4 Maintainers"> +<link href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.5" rel="subsection" title="12.2.5 Usenet newsgroups"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-SPI" rel="subsection" title="13.3.1 Software in the Public Interest"> +<link href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-FSF" rel="subsection" title="13.3.2 Free Software Foundation"> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="index"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-choosing.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">16</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br></h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="abstract"></a>Abstract</h2> + +<p> +This document answers questions frequently asked about Debian GNU/Linux. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="copyright"></a>Copyright Notice</h2> + +<p> +Copyright © 1996-2005 by Software in the Public Interest, portions copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006 Kamaraju Kusumanchi +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this document +provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are preserved on all +copies. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this document +under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire resulting +derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to +this one. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this document into +another language, under the above conditions for modified versions, except that +this permission notice may be included in translations approved by the Free +Software Foundation instead of in the original English. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="contents"></a>Contents</h2> + +<ul> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1 Definitions and overview</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisfaq">1.1 What is this FAQ?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisdebian">1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-linux">1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-non-linux">1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-difference">1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-gnu">1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-pronunciation">1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html">2 Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-version">2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-updatestable">2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-boot-floppies">2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdrom">2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimage-symlinks">2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-remoteinstall">2.6 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-alternativebootinstaller">2.7 Are there any alternative strategies for booting the system installer?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html">3 Choosing a Debian distribution</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1">3.1 Which Debian distribution (stable/testing/unstable) is better for me?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.1">3.1.1 You asked me to install stable, but in stable so and so hardware is not detected/working. What should I do?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.2">3.1.2 Will there be different different versions of packages in different distributions?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.3">3.1.3 The stable distributions really contains outdated packages. Just look at Kde, Gnome, Xorg or even the kernel. They are very old. Why is it so?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.4">3.1.4 If I were to decide to change to another distribution, Can I do that?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.5">3.1.5 Could you tell me whether to install testing or unstable?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.6">3.1.6 You are talking about testing being broken. What do you mean by that?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.7">3.1.7 Why is it that testing could be broken for months? Wont the fixes introduced in unstable flow directly down into testing?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.8">3.1.8 From an administrator's point of view, Which distribution requires more attention?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.9">3.1.9 What happens when a new release is made?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.10">3.1.10 I have a working Desktop/cluster with Debian installed. How do I know which distribution I am running?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.11">3.1.11 I am currently tracking stable. Can I change to testing or unstable? If so, How?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.12">3.1.12 I am currently tracking testing (lenny). What will happen when a release is made? Will I still be tracking testing or will my machine be running the new stable distribution?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.1.13">3.1.13 I am still confused. What did you say I should install?</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2">3.2 But what about Knoppix, Linex, Ubuntu, and others?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.1">3.2.1 I know that Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... is Debian-based. So after installing it on the hard disk, can I use 'apt' package tools on it?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.2">3.2.2 I installed Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... on my hard disk. Now I have a problem. What should I do?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-choosing.en.html#s3.2.3">3.2.3 I'm using Knoppix/Linex/Ubuntu/... and now I want to use Debian. How do I migrate?</a> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html">4 Compatibility issues</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">4.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherdistribs">4.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices">4.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherpackages">4.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-non-debian-programs">4.5 How should I install a non-Debian program?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-termcap">4.6 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-accelx">4.7 Why can't I install AccelX?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-motifnls">4.8 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html">5 Software available in the Debian system</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps">5.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-softwareauthors">5.2 Who wrote all that software?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pkglist">5.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-buildenv">5.4 How can I install a developer's environment to build packages?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-missing">5.5 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-no-devs">5.6 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-java">5.7 (How) Does Debian support Java?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-isitdebian">5.8 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">5.9 How does Debian support non-English languages?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine">5.10 Where is pine?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-qmail">5.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-flash">5.12 Where is a player for Flash (SWF)?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-googleearth">5.13 Where is Google Earth?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-voip">5.14 Where is VoIP software?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonfreewireless">5.15 I have a wireless network card which doesn't work with Linux. What should I do?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">6 The Debian FTP archives</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists">6.1 How many Debian distributions are there?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-codenames">6.2 What are all those names like etch, lenny, etc.?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-oldcodenames">6.2.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sourceforcodenames">6.2.2 Where do these codenames come from?</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sid">6.3 What about "sid"?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-stable">6.4 What does the stable directory contain?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-testing">6.5 What does the testing distribution contain?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-frozen">6.5.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-unstable">6.6 What does the unstable distribution contain?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree">6.7 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-archsections">6.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-source">6.9 Where is the source code?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-pools">6.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-incoming">6.11 What is "incoming"?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-ownrepository">6.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">7 Basics of the Debian package management system</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-package">7.1 What is a Debian package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-deb-format">7.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgname">7.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile">7.4 What is a Debian control file?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile">7.5 What is a Debian conffile?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">7.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-priority">7.7 What is an <em>Essential</em>, <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-virtual">7.8 What is a Virtual Package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-depends">7.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pre-depends">7.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgstatus">7.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em>, <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-puttingonhold">7.12 How do I put a package on hold?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcepkgs">7.13 How do I install a source package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcebuild">7.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-creatingdebs">7.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">8 The Debian package management tools</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-pkgprogs">8.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg">8.1.1 dpkg</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get">8.1.2 APT</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude">8.1.3 aptitude</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-synaptic">8.1.4 synaptic</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-tasksel">8.1.5 tasksel</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-extra">8.1.6 Other package management tools</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-updaterunning">8.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-whatpackages">8.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-listfiles">8.4 How to display the files of a package installed?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-filesearch">8.5 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-datapackages">8.6 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">9 Keeping your Debian system up-to-date</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-howtocurrent">9.1 How can I keep my Debian system current?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptitude-upgrade">9.1.1 aptitude</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt">9.1.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-update_aptitude">9.1.3 aptitude</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-mirror">9.1.4 mirror</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable">9.1.5 dpkg-mountable</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-upgradesingle">9.2 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-savedebs">9.3 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-keepingalog">9.4 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-autoupdate">9.5 Can I automatically update the system?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptproxy">9.6 I have several machines how can I download the updates only one time?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html">10 Debian and the kernel</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-non-debian-kernel">10.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-customkernel">10.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-custombootdisk">10.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-modules">10.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-removeoldkernel">10.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html">11 Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-papersize">11.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-hardwareaccess">11.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-consolefont">11.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-appdefaults">11.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-booting">11.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's.</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-custombootscripts">11.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-interconffiles">11.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert">11.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-localpackages">11.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse">11.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html">12 Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">12.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-onlineresources">12.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.1">12.2.1 Mailing lists</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.2">12.2.2 Web forums</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.3">12.2.3 Wiki</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.4">12.2.4 Maintainers</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s12.2.5">12.2.5 Usenet newsgroups</a> + </ul></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-searchtools">12.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs">12.4 Are there logs of known bugs?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-bugreport">12.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html">13 Contributing to the Debian Project</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">13.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contribresources">13.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-supportingorganizations">13.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-SPI">13.3.1 Software in the Public Interest</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-FSF">13.3.2 Free Software Foundation</a> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">14 Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-sellcds">14.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-packagednonfree">14.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro">14.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-commercialdebs">14.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">15 Changes expected in the next major release of Debian</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-i18n">15.1 Extended support for non-English users</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-dependencybasedboot">15.2 Faster booting: Dependency based boot sequence</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-di">15.3 Improvements in the Debian Installer</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morearches">15.4 More architectures</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morekernels">15.5 More kernels</a> + </ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">16 General information about the FAQ</a> + <ul> + <li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">16.1 Authors</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback">16.2 Feedback</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-latest">16.3 Availability</a></li> + <li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-docformat">16.4 Document format</a></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-choosing.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">16</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 4.0.3, 6 August 2008<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + |