<operating system> /deb'ee'n/, *not* /deeb'ee'n/ The non-profit volunteer organisation responsible for Debian GNU/Linux and Debian GNU/Hurd. Debian's Linux distribution is dedicated to free and open source software; the main goal of the distribution is to ensure that one can download and install a fully-functional operating system that is completely adherent to the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). Debian was begun in August 1993 by Ian Murdock, and was sponsored by the Free Software Foundation from November 1994 to November 1995. The name Debian is a contraction of DEB(ra) and IAN Murdock. Debian's packaging system (dpkg) is similar to other popular packaging systems like RPM. There are over 2200 packages of precompiled software available in the main (free) section of the Debian 2.1 distribution alone -- this is what sets Debian apart from many other Linux distributions. The high quality and huge number of official packages (most Debian systems' /usr/local/ remains empty -- almost everything most Linux users want is officially packaged) are what draw many people to use Debian. Another unique aspect to the Debian project is the open development; pre-releases are made available from Day 1 and if anyone wishes to become a Debian developer, all that is needed is proof of identification and a signed PGP or GPG key. There are over 400 Debian developers all around the world -- many developers have never met face-to-face, and most development talks take place on the many mailing lists and the IRC network. http://debian.org/. debian">Debian Linux archives (ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian). (1999-02-23)

Debian

<operating system> A GNU distribution based on the Hurd kernel instead of the more well known Linux kernel. [Reference?] (2001-12-02)

In 2006, a branding issue developed when Mike Connor, representing the Mozilla Corporation, requested that the Debian Project comply with Mozilla standards for use of the Thunderbird trademark when redistributing the Thunderbird software. At issue were modifications not approved by the Mozilla Foundation, when the name for the software remained the same.

Debian releases do not follow a fixed schedule. Recent releases have been made roughly biennially by the Debian Project.

A Debian Pure Blend is a project completely inside of Debian targeting a server or a desktop installation in very broad and general terms.

The Debian Social Contract (DSC) is a document that frames the moral agenda of the Debian project. The values outlined in the Social Contract provide the basic principles for the Debian Free Software Guidelines that serve as the basis of the Open Source Definition.

This is a chronological list of Debian project leaders. Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open-source software primarily under the GNU General Public License, developed by a group of individuals known as the Debian project.

DebConf, the Debian developers conference is the yearly conference where developers of the Debian operating system meet to discuss further development of the system.

<programming> The bug tracking system used by the Debian Project. Each bug is given a number, and is kept on file until it is marked as having been dealt with. The system is mainly controlled by electronic mail, but the bug reports can be viewed via the World-Wide Web. Debbugs home (http://debian.org/Bugs/). (2002-06-12)