Debian tops poll, Project leader Bdale Garbee discusses surge in interest

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DesktopLinux.com staff

DesktopLinux.com's 2002 poll closed on January 1st with Debian edging out Mandrake in the last two months of year. The results, while not quite "scientific," certainly reinforced the growing interest in Desktop Linux distributions. Users were passionate in supporting their favorite distribution.

As the largest volunteer-based distribution provider that many regard as having the best bug tracking system, Debian found itself as the basis of several variants in the latter part of the year including Knoppix, Libranet GNU/Linux, LindowsOS, and Xandros. In November, a desktop initiative, the Debian Desktop Subproject launched with Colin Walters leading up efforts. But that is not Debian's only focus as projects for kids (DebianJr), Education (Debian Edu), as well as many localization programs such as one for Japan (DebianJP), and much more. Specialized versions of Debian are even found for mobile devices such as the Sharp Zaurus.

DesktopLinux.com talked to Bdale Garbee, Project Leader for Debian and got his impressions during a year that Debian saw commercial products based on it reach the market.

DesktopLinux.com:Why do you think we are seeing such a surge of interest in Debian and Debian-based distros?

Bdale Garbee: "I think the recent surge of interest has to do with the completely non-commercial nature of Debian, and the value of community. Among major Linux distributions, Debian is the closest to a pure expression of the ideals and processes that make Linux special."

"An individual user can obtain Debian on cheap CD's or from the Net, install and administer it with help from the Debian community, and upgrade or add packages from Debian's extensive mirror network. In the end, they have excellent software, they know a lot about their system, they have immense flexibility to configure their system just the way they want it, and it's all free."

"If they're capable and motivated, as many are, they can take an active role in Debian's future ... from helping support other new users, to working on the distribution itself. That's how communities work."

"Similarly, enterprise users can deploy Debian broadly without any per-system license or support fees. This is both an immediate financial benefit, and a long-term advantage. By staying close to the Linux community, and not building a dependency on a single company that may or may not be around when you need them, an enterprise that chooses Debian retains control of their computing environment."

"Debian's package maintainers often develop very strong working relationships with upstream developers, so developers and companies that choose to join the Debian community get access to communications paths that can be difficult to develop otherwise. Particularly in developing nations, the ability to obtain the software without cost or obligation, then join in the process of improving and customizing it for unique language, application, and support requirements is a powerful combination."

"The exciting thing to me, actually, is that there are so many ways in which Debian can be made even better. That makes Debian's future very bright, indeed!"

So who's using Debian?

Debian provides this list of users or you can check out the Debian WorldMap.

Bdale added that the "users page is just a list of Debian users who volunteered to be written up. Everywhere I travel around the world, I meet people who are wildly enthusiastic about Debian! I suspect Debian is being used in more places and ways than *any* of us know..."

Congratulations go to Debian in taking the top spot in the DesktopLinux.com 2002 poll.

Check out our newly launched 2003 poll here!

Talk back! Do you have comments or questions on this story or questions about Desktop Linux distributions? talkback here

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	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
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Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2010 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.