Free software is software published under any license that grants you
these four freedoms:
1. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
2. The freedom to study how the program works, and to adapt it to
your needs (access to the source code is a precondition for this).
3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbors.
4. And the freedom to improve the program, and to release your
improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits
(access to the source code is a precondition for this).
Free software is "free" as in "freedom". When they first hear the
term, many think free software has only to do with price. The ability
to acquire free software without paying a fee is a result of the
freedom to share it with others, but there are other freedoms, all
equally important. For example, you can download free software via
the Internet and pay nothing. However, because it is often more
convenient, many people pay to have copies of free software mailed to
them on compact disc. But it is still free software, even if you pay
for a copy. Think of it this way: if you buy a copy of Debian
GNU/Linux from me, I'm sharing the software with you (which I'm free
to do), and you're paying me for the service of downloading it from
the Internet, burning it on CD, and mailing it to you. Free software
is free because of the license under which it is published and the
freedoms it grants you, regardless of how you acquire it.
If you are someone wishing to learn computer science, there is no
better resource than free software. Among other freedoms, free
software grants you access to the source code, the human-readable code
in which programs are written. Studying well written programs, and
adding new features you would like them to have, is an important part
of learning computer science. This can only be done with access to
the source code, something non-free software doesn't offer.
To use a computer you need an operating system, the basic tools needed
to control your computer and run other programs. GNU/Linux is an
operating system that is entirely free software. It is a widely used
alternative to non-free (or proprietary) operating system such as
Windows and MacOS.
Many people mistakenly call GNU/Linux simply "Linux". Linux is only
the kernel, an important component of an operating system, but one
that is useless without many other components. Most of these other
components were developed by the GNU project. Importantly, the GNU
project also developed the philosophy of
free software and the licenses under
which most free software, including Linux, is published.
The GNU project was starting in 1983 by Richard Stallman with the goal of
making a free Unix-like operating system. By the early 1990's, the
GNU system was nearly complete except for a kernel. In 1991 Linus
Torvalds wrote Linux, a free Unix-compatible kernel, which was then
incorporated into the GNU system to form a complete free operating
system, GNU/Linux. Since then, both the GNU components and the Linux
kernel have matured greatly and a wide rage of free application
software has been developed. GNU/Linux, with this body of free
application software, now offers everything from easy-to-use graphical
desktop environments to sophisticated scientific software.
Debian is a particular GNU/Linux distribution, an expert assemblage of
the many necessary components into a functional system. It is
developed by a highly skilled group of over 1000 volunteers from all
over the world. While there are dozens of other GNU/Linux
distributions, Debian has many advantages, perhaps most notably these:
First, Debian is a non-profit organization. Most GNU/Linux
distributions are made by for-profit companies, who time and again
have demonstrated their willingness to seek greater profit for
themselves at the expense of their users' freedom. Though all based
on GNU/Linux, which is free software, many of these companies release
the distribution specific software that they write, such as
installation programs, under a non-free license. They profit from the
work of the free software community but contribute nothing in return,
and they prevent their users from enjoying the benefits of an entirely
free distribution. They often include non-free software from other
companies as well, marketed under the empty and deceptive phrase
"value-added packages". And they often include non-free hardware
drivers, endorsing rather than boycotting hardware manufacturers who
provide binary only, non-free drivers and refuse to release
information detailed enough to allow free drivers to be
written. Debian, in contrast, is so committed to the development and
promotion of free software, that they formalized it in the Debian Social
Contract, which states, among other things, that Debian, including
it's distribution specific components, will remain 100% free software.
Second, Debian is rather unanimously regarded as the highest quality
GNU/Linux distribution available. In no small part this quality is
because Debian is non-profit. With profit in mind, commercial
distributions try to market their product as the latest and greatest
by including the newest versions of all GNU/Linux software. Competing
companies are caught in an unending race to out-new each other. While
the features and usability of free software steadily improve,
substantial testing and refinement is needed before a new version of
any program reaches acceptable levels of stability and security. By
short-cutting this testing process, commercial distributions hope to
lure customers with the ever effective gimmick of newness. But Debian
is about freedom and quality, not gimmicks. A new version of Debian
is released only when it's developers feel it really is ready.
Third, of all GNU/Linux distributions, Debian includes the largest
body of free software. Much more than just a bare operating system,
it includes over 8710 "packages", software prepared for easy
installation on your Debian-base computer. This comprehensive
collection includes nearly every free program that is regarded as
mature enough for everyday use, all extensively tested to insure
trouble free interaction with the rest of the system. If you are
wanting to switch from a non-free operating system such as Windows or
MacOS, you will find that Debian includes comparable free application
software to replace most everything you likely use. You can use
Debian to browse the web, email, word process, listen to music, watch
videos, play games, and so on. And the Debian package management
system allows you to easily install or remove any packages in the
distribution, in a completely consistent manner.
And fourth, of all GNU/Linux distributions, Debian supports the
largest number of different computer architectures. Again with profit
in mind, commercial distributions tend only to support the most
popular architectures. But why should a person with an older or less
common type of computer be unable to use free software? Why should
the free software community help prop-up the monopolies of certain
hardware manufacturers? Debian currently supports ten different
computer architectures, everything from early home computers to
modern, high-end servers.
When it comes to installing Debian, you have three options: have
someone make you a copy of the Debian CD's; download and burn the
Debian CD's yourself; or download only the installation system, and
get the rest by downloading it as you install. If you don't have fast
Internet access, the first is your only option, which is also the
easiest option and therefor best for beginners. If you do have fast
Internet access and are up to the task, see Getting Debian for
information on the last two options.
If you know someone who already uses Debian, you could borrow that
persons CD's or ask that person to make you a copy (plus you could ask
for help installing it). Otherwise, you will need to order a copy
from a vendor.
I encourage you to consider purchasing your CD's from me at DebianVendor.org, and this is why:
Many Debian vendors are nothing more than clearing houses for
GNU/Linux distributions. They offer any and all distributions, even
distributions that include non-free software or have otherwise
questionable policies. They are run by people guided by profit, not
principles.
I run DebianVendor.org not because I wish to make a lot of money; I
run it because I need a way to make enough money to survive, but still
have most of my time for my own unpaid work on the development and
promotion of free software. I try to run it in the way best for the
free software community and best for promoting everyone's freedom. I
consider the contrast between some Debian vendors and myself similar
to the contrast between commercial GNU/Linux distributions and Debian:
some are after money; others want to make a better world. In the
spirit of the Debian Social Contract, I have written the DebianVendor.org Statement of Principles.
Even if you decide not to purchase CD's from me, please choose a
vendor that accepts donations to Debian. Even if you personally do
not plan to make a donation, it is best to support vendors that
support free software.
It can't be stressed enough: free software is about freedom. In order
to value and protect the freedoms free software gives you, it is
important to learn about them. A good place to start is the philosophy section of the GNU website. In particular, these
articles might be good places to start: The Free Software
Definition, Copyleft:
Pragmatic Idealism, and Why
"Free Software" is better than "Open Source".
For more information about Debian GNU/Linux, see the About Debian page on the
Debian website. For instructions
on how to install Debian, see the Installation
Manual.
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