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Libranet 2.8 Released
Jon Danzig writes "Hi, Libranet 2.8 has been released and I hope you will inform your readers. Libranet is our implementation of Debian to which we have added our installer, up-to-date software e.g. KDE, Gnome, kernel, etc., and generally packaged GNU/Linux into a super smart fast and stable system. The installer has sophisticated hardware detection and setup with flexable installation of software packages. We keep hearing that the Linux Desktop is on the horizon and while the horizon never gets any closer Libranet is steadily making its way in that direction."
Site worked fine for me. Kernel 2.4.20, XFree 4.3, KDE 3.1, Gnome 2.2.1 and all the other goodies that every other distro throws in. Have not seen anything that makes this a compelling distribution to buy.
To Terminate, or not to Terminate, that's the question - SCSIROB
for a distribution that is based on Debian and apparently only differs in its installer, I see no screenshots of the installer in action.
I would never have the desire for a GUI install, it's just not necessary for me, but I would like to see what makes this particular distribution so special that I would have to pay for it...
The screenshots of the desktops look like any other KDE/Gnome desktop screenshot I have seen.
Where's the beef?
I run Redhat for clients and on a couple of boxes at home but IMHO Libranet can't be beat. Using 2.7 and apt-get is a relief sometimes after putting up w/ Mandrake's and Redhat's rpm dependencies. The Adminmenu tool works great, even comes w/ a built in firewall. The installer is ncurses based and not as pretty as other distros but it works and works well. Hell, Libranet is the first distribution that I got Return to Castle Wolfenstein running on. Some problem or the other always crops up w/ Redhat. Also, the mailing list is well populated w/ helpful people. Not much RTFM comments on there.
This guy is way out there
Yes, they have their own apt-repository.
This guy is way out there
You don't know what you're talking about. I run both Redhat 9 and Libranet so I think I'm a bit more qualified to comment. Aside from your gripes about the default Gnome install (I wouldn't know, I don't use Gnome), Libranet 2.7 (haven't bought 2.8 yet) is far and away better thatn Redhat 9. No more endless lib dependencies when installing a package, everything just works. In my opinion, usability also is a measure of how hard it is to install a package, recompile a kernel, etc. Not just the menus. Libranet's Adminmenu tool allows any newbie to setup a personal firewall, install packages, recompile a kernel, install Flash, install Microsoft Truetype Fonts, or even RealPlayer. You can install Java when doing th actual install. Last time I checked, Redhat had no tools that could do these things for a newbie w/ a GUI. Well, I guess Redhat's package manager is alright if you like RPM hell. I haven't even gotten into how much better apt-get is. I know ap4rpm is out there and I use it weekly but it doesn't compare to the speed, selection of packages, or the stability of Debians's apt-get
Bottom line: You haven't used it so you don't know what you're talking about.
This guy is way out there
Maybe you should learn how to read legalese.
They don't have to give away the software, however, they can't stop someone from buying one copy and then giving away copies of it (assumming they don't have non-free components - in which case those components would need to be removed).
If you get your hands on a copy the GPL kicks in, but the GPL doesn't force them to pay for the bandwidth so you can have a free copy.
Everyone who is trolling libranet has obviously never used it before *waits for more trolls on how it isnt free*... For those that want a preview on what they can expect can go to LinuxISO and download libranet's 2.0 essential version. I have tried it and it is absolutely fantastic--from the installation to the tools (adminmenu) everything worked great, better than any linux distro I have ever used.
Libranet is also well known for having superior technical support and has a very friendly userbase that offers to help the newbies rather than tell them to RTFM.
Try before you Troll, thanks
I was a happy Libranet user for a while; they do maintain a repository of updates. Most of the updates come from the "official" Debian distribution, though.
Basically what you're paying for is, as far as I can tell, a raftload of up-to-date apps, an up-to-date kernel, some convenience apps for setting things up nicely, all on top of a relatively stable release of Debian. If they've bumped their price up as one poster said, I don't see how it's worth it. When I bought a copy, it was on a set of CD-Rs and came with a manual--on letter-size paper stapled together, no less.
It's nice, it's stable, it's relatively hassle-free (as hassle-free as Debian ever is, and then some) so decide whether or not that's worth your while. It wasn't to me, but then again, I'm foolish enough to use Gentoo Linux as my main distribution.
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
Someone can do with GPL-ed s/w whatever he or she wants, provided that if he or she distributes their derivative they _must_ include the sources.
So, the website does not have to have links to downloadable ISOs or something. But if you buy their product, the sources have to be available to you. And _you_ can do with these sources whatever you want to (under the GPL), even provide free downloads on the net.
Wenn ist das Nunstueck git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput.
You can sell GPL software for any price you like. The license places no restriction on the price you sell it for. Of course there is nothing to stop the customer from giving away free copies subsequently.
I don't think the web site has screenshots of 2.8 yet. I installed it last night and it's got antialiased fonts and the whole kaboodle - looks great.
Ummm, KDE 3.1 just came into Debian in it's entirety, finally, and now packages that depend on KDE are coming into unstable. (Cool stuff like K3B.) If you run unstable, you can build a NICE desktop system already. (KDE took forever to come in for a variety of reasons, but I'd say that the biggest holdup was the ever-changing g++ ABI, which is outside of Debian's control. Wanting to "do the right thing" and work out the technical problems of live updates within Debian took some time given the shifting ABI - it's a complex problem.)
Also, the debian-installer people are making big progress as we speak. Debian is improving daily. Desktop Debian is a reality for some, and will be a reality for more people soon.
(you forgot to close your tag)
/home and /usr/local to the same partition. If you now make 3 ish 3-4MB distro partitions, its actually quite easy to keep one stable partition and two testers: allowing you to play around, yet easily mount your imporant files to actually evaluate the testing partition.
<pedantic>
move
</pedantic>
My first ever Linux experience was installing 'Potato' on some semi-weird hardware. As a complete newbie, I managed to get X setup and everything else with very few problems.
Installing 'Woody' was far easier. There is now a really good mini-cd (unofficial) with some damn fine h/w detection stuff to install a very basic Debian. The rest can be retrieved via apt.
There is a team of people working on an official redesign of the Debian installer.