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Re: [LUG] Debian



On Sat, Feb 08, 2003 at 10:20:58AM +0000, Michael Chidley wrote:
> 
> Anybody out there using latest version of Debian linux?

I'm using Debian 3.0, just as it comes out of the "box" except for
security updates.

> I tried out debian V2.2 when i first dabbled with Linux but found it a bit 
> difficult to get into. I`m using RedHat at the moment which is fine..
> 
> How does the latest version compare to v2.2?

I found it easier both to install and to use. I'm not sure whether
that's because it's easier or because I know a little more than I used
to.

> Does it still use dselect? or is there a graphical interface (KDE/GNOME now?

Dselect is still there. There's also aptitude, which may be a little
more user-friendly, and tasksel, available during installation, which
allows you to install groups of software such as games, development
tools etc, without having to choose them individually.

Kpackage can handle .deb packages, but I don't know if it's as efficient
as Debian's own tools.

> Is `apt-get` really better than RPM`s? Can you just choose which package you 
> want then it downloads it, sorts out the dependancies and installs stuff for 
> you?

Yes, it does all that, and it's even possible to mix and match between
the stable, testing and unstable distributions if you want KDE3 instead 
of the default KDE2 for instance. You may need to edit /etc/sources.list
manually to make apt-get work exactly as you want, but that's true of
almost everything in Debian. I doubt if the distribution would appeal
much to people who don't like using the console. On the other hand,
Debian's reputation for being very difficult to install and use seems to
me no longer to be justified.

The best thing to do is probably to try it and see what you think.
-- 
PJR :-)
http://www.pjr-online.co.uk/

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