Linux command list

Debian, clearly the most noncommercial of all the Linux distributions, is managed by a community of users rather than a commercial entity. Given this pedigree—and given Debian's close ties to the FSF—Debian has developed a reputation as the distribution of choice for Linux gurus. This can be a mixed blessing.

From a corporate standpoint, Debian's main drawback is the lack of a company to support it. It's free software in the truest sense, and that may make some IT administrators nervous. Debian's creators have also done little to simplify the learning process, so those new to Linux should probably look to other distributions that offer more handholding and simpler documentation. If you're not easily intimidated, though, dive in, because there is plenty to love about Debian.

Debian GNU/Linux comes with a suite of development tools and network services similar to those found in the other distributions. In keeping with its creators' conservative nature, it often deliberately uses older versions of fundamental utility packages, preferring to bring new software versions into the fold only after they've proven their stability. For example, Debian 2.2 ships with older versions of both Perl and the X Window system.

Veteran Linux users should have no problem with Debian's sparse but functional installer. While the partitioning utilities are practical, they are not terribly user-friendly. To make the job of wading through the packages and selecting the software to install easier, Debian provides a list of what it calls tasks to select. Each task, such as Samba server, is really a collection of packages required to implement a feature. Rather than selecting individual pieces of software, users can simply select which tasks the server will perform and let the installer pick what software is needed.

What seems to hook most Debian advocates is its package system. APT (Advanced Package Tool) is Debian's answer to the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM). It can be used to add, update, and remove software either locally (from CDs) or from remote FTP servers. Once properly configured, a system can check for updates and install the latest versions of all system software with one command. The caveat remains that one must already possess an extensive Linux knowledge to make the most of the package.

Debian maintains its documentation on its Web site, and no printed manuals are available. O'Reilly, however, has published Bill McCarty's excellent book Learning Debian GNU/Linux, which covers everything the budding open-source administrator needs to get going.

Debian's developer community is very active, open, and approachable, and Usenet groups and mailing lists are abundant, but don't expect a lot of novice-level explanations. Commercial technical support for Debian is available only through third parties.

Copyright ?? 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.