i just wanted to add my two pfennige. see, the reason that debian rocks is that it does not impose configuration tools on you like suse and redhat. it does provide a very cool package system, but everything is under the control of the user and vi. that's the beauty.
now looking at how i frequently already disagree with the formatting of config files contained in the packages, or the default settings for an application, i couldn't possibly imagine running such a distributed system. don't get me wrong, i am all up for slamming Micro$oft's "how to add .Net to your old software to keep it cutting edge" braindeadness, but the idea of having other users influence my system is disturbing. granted, the debian-cracks wouldn't use it, at least not for configuration, but that means that such a database contains configs by novices, which, unless very carefully monitored by experts, could result in an inferno. i am just thinking... instead, pre-installed debian is a good idea, because once running, apt-get is too easy to use. in addition, have workshops! i, for one, am about to organize a monthly linux meet at a local computer cluster, encouraging people in papers and by word of mouth to come and play around. it'll be debian, of course, and i'll have a couple of cool dudes along to help me out, but i think something like this to get people excited, and then the offer to pre-install debian for them (even though that's the best exercise) for something low like $20 maybe (or not - depending on how i can swing it), would be the best, don't you think? i will make some computers available at the cluster for debian test-installations - for people to come and try it themselves. it's still in preparation, but it'll go live in july or august... martin; (greetings from the heart of the sun.) \____ echo mailto: !#^."<*>"|tr "<*> mailto:" [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- as i was going up the stair i met a man who wasn't there. he wasn't there again today. i wish, i wish he'd stay away. --hughes mearns