22

Introduction

of the Linux File System Standards, soon to be known as simply the File

Hierarchy Standards. It is this strict adherence to these technical guidelines

that helps make Debian such a dependably useful system. Foreign packages

brought to a Debian system are typically easier to integrate into the system

than with other Linux distributions.

As important as this standard is, the real technical superiority provided by

Debian is its unique packaging system. This system allows for incremental

upgrades of individual packages without the constant danger of ending up

with a broken system. The modularity of the packaging system keeps each

potential disaster localized within the narrow confines of the offending package.

There are still plenty of ways to break the system, but the packaging system

goes a long way toward protecting the system from such failures. Most of

this protection comes from the dependency checking that is provided by this

packaging system. Packages can declare their dependency on other packages

and even declare that dependency to encompass a particular version of that

other package. The installation software enforces these dependencies in a way

that forces the dependencies to be satisfied before installation proceeds. This

yields a functional package at the end of the installation, instead of one that

will not operate for some strange reason.

Even with Debian's high quality, the complexity of Linux systems provides

many ways to confuse the unwary user. Although Debian attempts to create

an installation default that will fit the most general needs of the user, there are

many areas where knowledge and skill are required to get the most value from

this operating system. Debian provides for these needs with mailing lists. The

debian user mailing list is an open subscription list. To subscribe you simply

send an e mail message to:

debian user REQUEST@lists.debian.org

with the subject and message body containing the single word subscribe.

This will bring you into contact with other users, potentially having had your