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(!) [:/Discussion:Discussion]

Using Debian

Should I be running Testing/Unstable(Sid) instead of Stable/Testing?

This is something that you as a user and administrator of your system have to decide for yourself. If you just need a few newer packages try http://www.backports.org before considering an upgrade. If you have Debian on a desktop machine testing might be an option, but it's not really recommended for production machines. If you want all the newest software Debian can provide and don't mind/can handle breakage then you could try unstable. Each Debian distribution has its pros and cons. Here are some:

Stable

Testing

Unstable (a.k.a. Sid)

Experimental

This is not a regular distribution (you cannot run on experimental), but it is mentioned here for completeness.

Software Packages

Debian is known for its robust, extensive and easy to use package system. The operations that can be performed with regard to package management are sophisticated, easily scripted, and make running Debian a relatively simple and mistake-proof experience. The following questions all deal with some aspect of the package management.

Which is the best package manager?

While "the best" package manager is a matter of personal opinion, the Debian project and many Debian users recommend aptitude. See [http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2004/04/msg03138.html here] for more details.

?Anchor(packagesearch)

Where is the foo package?

A variety of tools exists to answer this very frequent question: apt-cache search foo will return all the packages with foo in the name or description; aptitude search foo will return all packages with foo in the package name. These are just two of the many methods. Read man apt-cache or man aptitude as appropriate. Finally, http://packages.debian.org also features a handy search engine and don't forget your friend http://www.google.com.

Program foo is looking for (or lacking) file bar. Where is it?

This is simple: apt-file update && apt-file search bar. grep as appropriate. man apt-file.

Does Debian have Firefox/What is Iceweasel?

You really should see [#packagesearch Where is the foo package?] above, but Debian ships with Iceweasel, a rebranded Firefox (reference needed).

Posting on debian-user

What is top-posting (and why shouldn't I do it)?

Both questions can be answered with this example (seen in some sig):

How should I post/reply to debian-user?

Please see the [http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/#codeofconduct Code of conduct] for Debian mailing lists. It is also helpful if you ask your questions in a [http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html smart way] and answer by [http://www.netmeister.org/news/learn2quote.html quoting] properly.

Why doesn't this list facilitate easy replies to the list (a.k.a. reply-to-munging)?

See [http://www.unicom.com/pw/reply-to-harmful.html this] document for a thorough explanation. In case your e-mail client doesn't support List-reply (for Icedove/Thunderbird there is an extension) then please use Reply-to-all and delete all but the list address.


-- SalokineTerata ?DateTime(2007-11-09T22:28:54Z)

-- In my very humble oppinion (just because I initiated this page doesn't mean it belongs to me) I think the page should keep the answers as short as possible with lots of references to more thorough explanations. For example, if you don't mind, the explanations for various releases from "Should I run Sid/Testing" could be moved to DebianReleases (by the way, I will post some comments to that page). -- AndreiPopescu