Posted by Neil Richards on February 07, 2011
Debian used to be my favorite distro, just before I made a switch to Ubuntu. The reason was fair and simple – I wanted latest packages. Over time I realized I need stability more than newest packages.
The release of Debian 6 brought back those good ol' days of Linux-Fun. Debian 6 also reminded me why I ditched Windows and Mac and moved to GNU/Linux – freedom. Installing Debian also proved that I don't have to worry about any proprietary hardware running on my machine, if there is any it is opening up.
With this release Debian homepage gets a makeover, it looks cooler.
I would rather wait for them to open up than compromise. If I was willing to compromise in the first place I would still be using Mac or Windows.
No wonder when I read what Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols wrote, "Over the years, Debian has become more and more a Linux just for Linux fanatics while the rest of the Linux family has become more end-user friendly."
"Rest of the GNU/Linux family?" Does that mean users of awesome distros like Gentoo, Arch Linux, Sabayon are not part of the 'rest of the GNU/Linux family'?
He further writes: "As I look over the features in the latest Debian, I can see why Debian, while still popular as a building block for other Linux distributions, is no longer as important as it once was."
Ubuntu, Mint will cease to exist if there is no Debian. Ubuntu developers will be sweating, reworking their CVs, if Debian is 'not' as important as it once was.
Debian is the mother earth these distros are feeding upon. Not that I have any problem with that, I am an Ubuntu user and that is the whole point of Free Software -- use what you like, there will be options. But, bashing Debian for why it exist is beyond my understanding. Its more like bashing sugar for being sweet.
Installation
Installation of Debian was a breeze, the new artwork is amazing – science-fictional. Post installation, you can go ahead and enjoy the power of aptitude or apt-get as you wish.
Mozilla's problems with their logo is still troubling Debian developers and they have to re-brand Firefox as Iceweal and Thunderbird as Icedove. Come of Mozilla, fix it ;-)
No doubt I agree Debian is not for average Joe, who doesn't know the difference between free beer and free speech. I, personally, would never want Debian to become the 'free beer'. I am already upset with the way Ubuntu has been 'invaded' by the Mono lobby. I feel Ubuntu is compromising with my values, the reason I choose GNU/Linux. But I also understand Ubuntu's target group, so they are doing best in the interest of their target group and that is a good thing.
I will continue to use Debian 6 for a month as see if no major issues crop up, I am going in for a switch – from Ubuntu to Debian. However, I will also continue to recommend/install Ubuntu on average Joe's machines as it works for them. It's getting best of both worlds.
I am like a mountaineer, a white-river rafter a bungee jumper. I picked GNU/Linux for the adrenalin rush, for the feeling it gives you of being part of an on going revolution. Ubuntu is like sitting in a park bench, on a sunny day. It's great.
Debian is like running through wood, wild, exciting and adventurous.
I have fallen in love, again. Are you ready to fall in love?
