----- Original Message ----- From: "Krisno Pryosusilo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <debian-user@lists.debian.org> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2001 2:03 AM Subject: Questions (and hello) from a new (Progeny) Debian user.
> Hi, > I'm a relatively new user of Linux and have since yesterday, migrated > from SuSE 7.1 to a boxed version 1.0 of Progeny Debian. > I chose Progeny because of my perception that Progeny would be easier to > install and get running than the non-commercial Debian. > > However, the progeny users site is extremely slow moving, and since I'm > unable to register on that site for some unknown reason, I'm hoping that > I might find some answers here. > > Question 1 : -> Is there a simple blow by blow description on how to > install a deb package which is currently in a directory on my > hard-drive? .. or is anyone able to help me as I appear to be lacking a > basic understanding here. > The reason : -> > I'm trying to install Opera and understand that I need to edit > /etc/apt/sources.list . > I've inserted an entry "deb file:/home/downloads opera non-free" but > know that this is wrong, because when I run "apt-get update" it tells me > that it can't locate the file. > If I run apt-get install /home/download I get "W:couldn't stat source > package list 'file:/stable/opera/packages ... and " You may want to run > apt-get update to correct missing files" To install local deb packages use dpkg -i "filename". /etc/apt/sources.list is for installing pakages using apt-get, this requires a certain format of directories, and naming scheme, (I could be wrong about this.) > Question 2 : -> What do you think of Progeny? Is it really "not a > separate distribution as Mandrake is to Red Hat"? > The reason : -> Debian's social contract. It states (if I understand it > correctly) that Debian will *always be 100% free ... as in free beer! > This means that there can never be a Debian that is driven by a desire > for commercial profit. As soon as this happens (the commercial pursuit > of profit) the distribution has changed from Debian. > > Question 3 : -> Why not make Debian easier to install and to operate > with basic functionality (ie setup Internet access etc) to encourage > non-techie users to get their feet wet? > The reason: -> It appears that this is what Progeny is trying to do ... > but they are also pricing themselves beyond SuSE distro's and from a > commercial point of view and on face value, I believe SuSE still has the > edge with regard to simplicity of setup and availability of tools, at > half the price. > > > I like Debian, the more so that I have access to a local ftp site with > sub 200 ms ping rates ... which means I will be able to reasonably > perform online updates. This is for me, one of many compelling reasons > to eventually go *pure Debian. The other compelling reason is a gut > feeling that I'm on to something worthwhile :). > > Cheers > Krisno > > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.252 / Virus Database: 125 - Release Date: 09/05/2001