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Debian For Android Installer Released

dooberrymctavish writes "You can now download an installer and bootloader for getting Debian running on your Android (G1 at the moment) device; the whole install process will take you about 10 minutes, and leaves you with access to the full plethora of programs available in Debian and lets you continue using your phone as it was intended to be: as an Android device with all the capabilities thereof. Here's a look at it running.

160 comments

  1. Ok. by drolli · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That would be a reason to buy this phone....

    1. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      Linux is illegal! You are breaking the law, and hurting yourself and your family with your ILLEGAL SOFTWARE. Your ip has been noted and is being forwarded to the SPA with a reccomendation that they investigate your CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. Please destroy all your unpatriotic linux software before the government finally cracks down on you people and you all end up as lampshades or soap.

    2. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      You know what? I took the plunge and installed Linux today. Top Hat or some hat version. But now I have a problem. Im getting these big red lesions all over me. Im not allergic to anything that would cause that, and I havent become infected with any diseases, my doctor checked me out fine. Then I figured out what Linux really is. Open Sores. Linux is killing me! Help!

    3. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      When I installed Linux it asked me for my credit card number. Two days later I got a call from Wachovia asking me if I had purchased $400 worth of Totino's pizza rolls and Mountain Dew (I hadn't). Let this be a warning to all of you out there in the Internet.

    4. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Are you saying that this linux can run on a computer without windows underneath it, at all ? As in, without a boot disk, without any drivers, and without any services ?

      That sounds preposterous to me.

      If it were true (and I doubt it), then companies would be selling computers without a windows. This clearly is not happening, so there must be some error in your calculations. I hope you realise that windows is more than just Office ? Its a whole system that runs the computer from start to finish, and that is a very difficult thing to acheive. A lot of people dont realise this.

      Microsoft just spent $9 billion and many years to create Vista, so it does not sound reasonable that some new alternative could just snap into existence overnight like that. It would take billions of dollars and a massive effort to achieve. IBM tried, and spent a huge amount of money developing OS/2 but could never keep up with Windows. Apple tried to create their own system for years, but finally gave up recently and moved to Intel and Microsoft.

      Its just not possible that a freeware like the Linux could be extended to the point where it runs the entire computer fron start to finish, without using some of the more critical parts of windows. Not possible.

      I think you need to re-examine your assumptions.

    5. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      If you don't know what GPL and GNU are for, GTFO.
      If you think Firefox is a decent GNU/Linux application, GTFO.
      If you're still looking for the Control Panel, GTFO.
      If you don't know Tux from SCO, GTFO.

      Bandwagon jumpers are not welcome among real GNU/Linux users. Keep your filthy Windows fingers to yourself.

    6. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Linux is a UNIX-based OS, and my favourite distro of it is Macintosh OS X, because it has the full support of a major corporation, unlike other distros, which are all operated by maybe one or two nerds in a basement together. The last thing I want is for a level 5 dwarf (haha) providing me my OS

    7. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Those red things all over your body are the broken, unresolved dependencies from the godawful RPM(red pustulation manager). Apt is the cure.

    8. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Did You Know? After maintaining a vow of silence for almost 7 years, Red Hat Linux founder Marc Ewing now freely admits that he named Red Hat Linux after Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst's trademark red New York Yankees baseball cap.
      Durst and Ewing met in Ewing's hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina (Durst was raised in Gastonia, NC), where they became fast friends, sharing the same passion for low-level system programming.
      Durst collaborated with Ewing on the first preview beta of Red Hat Linux before the demands of his rocketing stardom forced him to abandon his hobby and tour with his band.
      Durst's position on the development team was filled by Damien Neil, and not many know of his contribution to the popular Linux distribution; however, a google search through the source code on Redhat.com (http://www.google.com/search?q=wfd+site:redhat.com) reveals many snippets of code authored by 'wfd', Durst's initials (William Frederick Durst).
      Durst asked Ewing to keep his 'geeky' roots a secret as it would not lend itself to Durst's bad boy image, but as Ewing points out, it was "only a matter of time" before the origins of his NASDAQ-100 company's name were uncovered.

    9. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      correction: Mac OS X uses mklinux, which is a micro-kernel fork of linux. There are a few other changes as well, such as a stable ABI and a stable driver ABI (IOKit) which make it more suitable than regular linux for desktop and server usage.

    10. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (Alrighty... not sure why there are a million AC troll posts here. I'll try to make this a non-troll.)

      That would be a reason to buy this phone....

      It would indeed be a reason to buy the phone! But once you have your nice Linux environment at your fingertips, what's the point of having android? Doesn't Linux already have the "capabilities thereof" mentioned in the article/summary? Other than the sorta-java applets (which I wouldn't miss) what value does android add?

    11. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      ... Top Hat or some hat version....

      My guess is that you accidentally installed Ass Hat. Basically now you're screwed, may [random entity] have mercy on your soul.

    12. Re:Ok. by Jurily · · Score: 1

      you all end up as lampshades or soap.

      Oooh, I always wanted to be a lampshade!

    13. Re:Ok. by tricore · · Score: 1

      ... That just makes my head hurt. Is that a troll? WTF. 1) Linux is not an OS, it's a kernel (technically, this is pedantic I admit) 2) UNIX is an OS, which predated Linux. Linux is not UNIX in any way. It is not "UNIX based" 3) Linux is a Unix. That means it conforms to the Unix spec (sortof). It has no "Unix" source or anything (ever taken an OOP class? Is-a vs. has-a relationship?). 4) OS X is a Unix, it is not a Linux. OS X runs on Mach Darwin, which is not a Linux. It is actually BSD - twice over, BSD running under BSD. where Mach2 is BSD derivative, as is Darwin. Additionally in response to a later comment OS X does not *actually* run a microkernel, as these are collocated, both running in ring 0. This is a common confusion due to a misunderstanding that Mach2 is not a microkernel, but Mach3 is. 5) Ever heard of RedHat or Suse? Both are "major corporations", and these days Suse is damned near owned by Microsoft. Holy god, learn something or shut up.

    14. Re:Ok. by Bill_the_Engineer · · Score: 1

      Dumb question (Dumb because I can't seem to get a straight answer from T-Mobile).

      T-Mobile appears to require a 2 year subscription to their data plan to purchase this phone.

      This seems silly since, (1) I can't seem to find a spot without free wifi and I'll probably spend less than 1% of my time on 3G. (especially considering that the 3G only covers my neighborhood (where there is plenty of WiFi) - I live and work in "Eureka" ;P )

      Can I get a G1 without paying for the data plan?

      --
      These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
    15. Re:Ok. by youngdev · · Score: 0

      I can't tell if this is a joke or serious.

    16. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ironic since a rant like this in the ears of average Joe could translate into an insightful and true risk.

    17. Re:Ok. by vipz · · Score: 1

      I got mine at Walmart for $375 plus tax without signing a contract.

      I'm pretty sure T-Mobile stores sell the phone sans contract as well, for $400.

      You can also sign up as an Android developer ($25 cost) to buy a completely unlocked G1 for $400. See http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/12/08/1324256

    18. Re:Ok. by Yfrwlf · · Score: 1

      It's sadly almost the real perception out there about Linux for some. Windows has lots of (crappy) marketing and most of all a *tradition* of being on the PC, so many are like...Linux....WTF? :P

      When they do try out Linux, if they do, they often quickly encounter the problem with the Windows platform being still easier for the most part in getting/running programs. As in, going out on the net, having the widest selection of software, and most likely being able to easily install them. When those users try to do that on Linux machines, they often can't because of the Linux Packaging Mess(tm). Even though repositories make getting quite a bit of software easy, even easier than on Windows, they still want the freedom to be able to go anywhere and install anything on the internet as well. Yet the attitude among some Linux-butts is that users don't need or shouldn't want this freedom, which is pretty sad.

      Yes, Linux still has several areas it really needs to clean up to make the experience more pleasurable, but so far it has come very far.

      --
      Promote true freedom - support standards and interoperability.
    19. Re:Ok. by Yfrwlf · · Score: 1

      I don't care how fast the package management system is, I just want one that can import some solid standardized and cross-distro packaging formats without the stupid "Ooops, we haven't made a package for your specific version of your specific distro yet, thus good luck compiling!" crap that you run into so often on the net. It's a headache for users and developers alike.

      --
      Promote true freedom - support standards and interoperability.
    20. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you saying that this linux can run on a computer without windows underneath it, at all ? As in, without a boot disk, without any drivers, and without any services ?

      That sounds preposterous to me.

      If it were true (and I doubt it), then companies would be selling computers without a windows. This clearly is not happening, so there must be some error in your calculations. I hope you realise that windows is more than just Office ? Its a whole system that runs the computer from start to finish, and that is a very difficult thing to acheive. A lot of people dont realise this.

      Microsoft just spent $9 billion and many years to create Vista, so it does not sound reasonable that some new alternative could just snap into existence overnight like that. It would take billions of dollars and a massive effort to achieve. IBM tried, and spent a huge amount of money developing OS/2 but could never keep up with Windows. Apple tried to create their own system for years, but finally gave up recently and moved to Intel and Microsoft.

      Its just not possible that a freeware like the Linux could be extended to the point where it runs the entire computer fron start to finish, without using some of the more critical parts of windows. Not possible.

      I think you need to re-examine your assumptions.

      Linux has been in development since around the same time as Windows 95 and uses nothing from Microsoft.

      OS/2 was developed by Microsoft for IBM.

      Apple use Intel processors now but not a Microsoft OS instead it is now based on a Unix derivative BSD.

      I think you need to do some research, and be less ignorant.

    21. Re:Ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      die you faggot ass nigger mother fucker

  2. Must resist. by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Must resist purchase of new geek toy...

    1. Re:Must resist. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      I'm glad I don't have a whole country full of deceitful, greedy kikes stealing all my water and land anywhere near me. Fucking Jews can't just live in peace. They have to steal other people's land. Our national economy is collapsing from the Jewbanks doing their usual Jewthing. You see, with Jews, you lose. That's how THEY win. They WIN by making YOU lose. So let's lose the Jews.

      Global warming could be swiftly solved if we incinerated all of the Jews. Their ashes would be ejected into the upper atmosphere, where they would block some sunlight from hitting the earth. The economy would improve thanks to the absence of Jewish predatory lending, and it would buy us time to deal with climate change. Two birds, one stone.

      Fun with Facts:

      Guess who really owns America? Hint hint, it isn't the Americans.

    2. Re:Must resist. by Miv333 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Must resist purchase of new geek toy...

      Don't resist! Just give in. I bought it the day of release, I got out of my Verizon contract for 200$ even. I don't regret it one bit. Loading Debian on it? Can't wait!

    3. Re:Must resist. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

      Version 3, 29 June 2007

      Copyright &#169; 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. <http://fsf.org/>

      Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
      Preamble

      The GNU General Public License is a free, copyleft license for software and other kinds of works.

      The licenses for most software and other practical works are designed to take away your freedom to share and change the works. By contrast, the GNU General Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change all versions of a program--to make sure it remains free software for all its users. We, the Free Software Foundation, use the GNU General Public License for most of our software; it applies also to any other work released this way by its authors. You can apply it to your programs, too.

      When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for them if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs, and that you know you can do these things.

      To protect your rights, we need to prevent others from denying you these rights or asking you to surrender the rights. Therefore, you have certain responsibilities if you distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it: responsibilities to respect the freedom of others.

      For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether gratis or for a fee, you must pass on to the recipients the same freedoms that you received. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights.

      Developers that use the GNU GPL protect your rights with two steps: (1) assert copyright on the software, and (2) offer you this License giving you legal permission to copy, distribute and/or modify it.

      For the developers' and authors' protection, the GPL clearly explains that there is no warranty for this free software. For both users' and authors' sake, the GPL requires that modified versions be marked as changed, so that their problems will not be attributed erroneously to authors of previous versions.

      Some devices are designed to deny users access to install or run modified versions of the software inside them, although the manufacturer can do so. This is fundamentally incompatible with the aim of protecting users' freedom to change the software. The systematic pattern of such abuse occurs in the area of products for individuals to use, which is precisely where it is most unacceptable. Therefore, we have designed this version of the GPL to prohibit the practice for those products. If such problems arise substantially in other domains, we stand ready to extend this provision to those domains in future versions of the GPL, as needed to protect the freedom of users.

      Finally, every program is threatened constantly by software patents. States should not allow patents to restrict development and use of software on general-purpose computers, but in those that do, we wish to avoid the special danger that patents applied to a free program could make it effectively proprietary. To prevent this, the GPL assures that patents cannot be used to render the program non-free.

      The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and modification follow.
      TERMS AND CONDITIONS
      0. Definitions.

      "This License" refers to version 3 of the GNU General Public License.

      "Copyright" also means copyright-like laws that apply to other kinds of works, such as semiconductor masks.

      "The Program" refers to any copyrightable work licensed under this License. Each license

    4. Re:Must resist. by bobstreo · · Score: 1

      I've been looking for a new phone. treo680 currently. I've narrowed it down to an iphone, but I realized I'd probably need to run windows or some OSXish something to be able to use it, or a G1.
      I was already pricing 8 and 16GB microsd cards/chips/whatever when I realized I should check my contract. 7 months to go.
      So maybe a G2?

      Now if the 3G from tmobile actually works in my office, the last tmobile phone didn't...

      I am eying my son's experia, but I'm guessing he'd cry like a little girl, umm I mean whine if I appropriated it.

    5. Re:Must resist. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I got a G1 about a week ago and love the thing. I don't get 3G in my area yet but there is enough open wifi everywhere that it hasn't been a problem, and the EDGE network isn't really that slow. The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of a standard headphone jack, but it does come with an adapter so it's not a huge deal.

    6. Re:Must resist. by Nursie · · Score: 3, Funny

      Hey, that's not a geek toy, the Openmoko Freerunner is a geek toy. That can run android and/or debian too.

      Plus, what's even better is that the kernel's still a work in progress and the phone systems barely work! How geeky is that? You get to explain to friends and family that their call is echoing or you can't pick up because you have teh linux! /worst 270 GBP I ever spent...

    7. Re:Must resist. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fucking idiots were pwn3d by Auschwitz. I hope that imbecile Anne Frank is rotting in Hell!

    8. Re:Must resist. by BlackCreek · · Score: 1
      Sorry to hear you bought it...

      As somebody who truly **almost** ordered a Moko, and that very often has had to explain many many times, that something wasn't working in my laptop because it runs Linux. I feel your pain.

  3. I don't subject, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Debian is for niggers.

  4. This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Compare that video to any video of someone use an iPhone. Why would anyone want to use a phone that takes 20 minutes to boot, requires a command line to function, and has ZERO games/applications/functionality?

    Once again: CLOSED SOURCE FOR THE WIN.

    Think Different. Think Better. Think Apple.

    1. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Orange+Crush · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ^The same sort of people who take things apart to see how they work, and tinker with things because they actually enjoy doing so.

      Don't worry, your iPhone will not wink out of existance because somebody with different preferences buys a different phone, or prefers cars without the hoods welded shut.

    2. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yeah...

      Can I buy an unlocked iPhone for a reasonable price, yet? How about deals with networks other than AT&T?

      Can I install custom software yet? Oh, I have to jailbreak it. That makes sens... Oh wait, you're asking me to crack my own phone.

      Alright, I'll develop an iPhone app. I'll write it in Python, or maybe Erlang, download updates on the fly... Not allowed, you say? I wonder why? Only Apple knows...

      Maybe I'll make it run in the background, so I can have something play music while users do something else... Nope, not allowed. When the user taps away from my app, I have to shut down, completely, so as not to drain the battery. That's not just a good best practice, it's actually enforced by Apple.

      Yes, it's prettier. Yes, there are things it does better. But as long as Apple keeps such a stranglehold around what's available and what isn't, the iPhone will fall behind. There is no question of that -- there will be killer apps written for Android, even for Windows Mobile, which cannot be ported to the iPhone because of Apple's restrictions.

      Why would you want a system so closed, inflexible, and proprietary that it makes Windows look good?

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    3. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by nine-times · · Score: 1

      Oh, please don't feed the trolls. Responding to people like this only gives them what they want: to start trouble.

      Please, let's all just ignore this person and this topic. Wouldn't it be more fun to talk about how nice it would be to be able to install Debian on your phone?

    4. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by k1e0x · · Score: 4, Funny

      Man you almost had it. Insightful +5, then you went and mentioned Windows Mobile.. ugg..

      --
      Bringing liberty to the masses. - http://freetalklive.com/
    5. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by knarf · · Score: 5, Funny

      Think Different. Think Better. Think Apple.

      I think (ergo sum) that you really meant

      Why Think? We think better! Let us do the thinking for you (for a 'small' fee)

      --
      --frank[at]unternet.org
    6. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Bob9113 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Don't worry, your iPhone will not wink out of existance because somebody with different preferences buys a different phone, or prefers cars without the hoods welded shut.

      hehe - indeed. I have a Mac laptop, a Linux workstation, and a Linux media center at home. Each is brilliant for its intended purpose. Viva La Difference!

    7. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      The question I have for Obama is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single fat colored mammy sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check?

      And as far as Debian on Android goes, I'm sure B. Hussein Obama doesn't give a rat's ass. For my part, I give Debian on Android two thumbs up.

    8. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 4, Informative

      Except it's true.

      Yes, Windows Mobile sucks. But, it does one thing Apple doesn't:

      You are allowed, and encouraged, to develop and use third-party apps, which have no relationship to Microsoft.

      You can download them from the Internet. You can install them via sync, or wifi. I don't actually know you can grab them with wifi, but that doesn't matter, because you could write a program that does that -- write your own package manager, even! -- and no one will stop you.

      On the iPhone, you distribute them through Apple, through the App Store, and you buy them through the App Store. Anything else is likely to void your warranty, maybe even get you sued.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    9. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Animaether · · Score: 2, Informative

      just to answer the "don't know if you can grab them with wifi" - absolutely. All but the most ancient of WM devices that have WiFi or a cellular chip will have an internet browser - typically IE, but newer models come with Opera. Just browse to the website that hosts the .CAB or .EXE (the former is the more common - the latter you have to make sure it's not a windows installer but e.g. a pocketpc installer.. yes, that's a bit of a hassle, yes, the App(le) Store prevents such hassles), save the file, and launch it.. whether you're doing so over a virtual network (via a USB cable, for example), wifi, cellular chip, bluetooth or heck - IRda modem.. it doesn't care.. once the file's on the machine (by any means), you can run it.

    10. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by mclaincausey · · Score: 1

      I think the quality of the OS is far more important than that and I hate WM6. I have had many WM5-6 devices and don't like Professional or any other version of any of them I've used. Simply horrid. (I have to use it on my work phones.)

      --
      (%i1) factor(777353);
      (%o1) 777353
    11. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I will never buy any phone until I can have my own custom app run in the background that can do things like use the GPS data to determine whether to screen calls, record and text-to-speech them and then email them to me, or call a fax number and leave a fax with the call information.

    12. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      NOW LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE!

      Now my brain is leaving my head, having read that. Please don't go brain - I promise I won't read it again.

    13. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Bob9113 · · Score: 1

      Sounds like you know a fair bit about developing for Windows Mobile. I'm curious - how easy / common is it to develop for the Windows Mobile platform from a non-Windows platform?

      If it is difficult, then I wonder about this statement:

      You are allowed, and encouraged, to develop and use third-party apps, which have no relationship to Microsoft.

      Is it valid to say that there is no relationship between those third party apps and Microsoft if one must purchase Microsoft products to develop third party applications?

      Also, do you know if the license for the developer kit places any limitations on the software that you develop or component libraries that you can use?

    14. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 1

      Actually, I don't know much about Windows Mobile, other than that development for it was more like development for a desktop OS. That is, you got some APIs, but ultimately, you could compile actually native code (unlike Android), and do pretty much anything within the constraints of the OS, possibly even hack the OS a bit (unlike the iPhone -- no farts until recently).

      I do know, for example, that there was some sort of VLC port, among others.

      So, I don't actually know, and I haven't tried. But I suspect that you wouldn't need anything more than you need to develop for a desktop OS. For practical reasons, you might have to buy a Microsoft product, just as you probably should buy Windows and some form of Visual Studio to develop Windows apps. But I think, like Windows apps, what you build with that SDK is pretty much up to you.

      Keep in mind, ultimately, it could lead to just what you're describing -- a sort of mobile MinGW, and cross-compile from Linux. Or, ports of interpreted languages -- I think they had Python already -- or something like Java, or just libraries like wxwidgets, Qt, etc, and you could develop on any OS and port relatively easily.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    15. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Point is, you can work around the OS.

      I'm not sure how easy it is on WM, but consider if it was desktop Windows vs the iPhone OS. Worst case, just replace explorer.exe with your own shell, use a layer like Cygwin or Services for Unix, and it's hard to tell it's actually Windows under there.

      On the other hand, if you like the iPhone, it's great, but if you don't, or you want to change it in some interesting way, you're pretty much boned.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    16. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by loligoth · · Score: 1

      Can I install custom software yet? Oh, I have to jailbreak it. That makes sens... Oh wait, you're asking me to crack my own phone.

      well, installing Debian on G1 is not really any different from jailbreaking iPhone. You are cracking/hacking your own G1 to install Debian on it. So your point is moot here.

      Alright, I'll develop an iPhone app. I'll write it in Python, or maybe Erlang, download updates on the fly... Not allowed, [wikileaks.org] you say? I wonder why? Only Apple knows... Maybe I'll make it run in the background, so I can have something play music while users do something else... Nope, not allowed. When the user taps away from my app, I have to shut down, completely, so as not to drain the battery. That's not just a good best practice, it's actually enforced by Apple.

      if you like to do FOSS, why do you even want to write apps for Apple Store? You can write your own apps for iPhone, ignore those sucky "guideline/rules", and share your apps with others independent of Apple Store. You shouldn't go to the Apple Store unless you want to make money out of it, which means it's no longer FOSS. If you really want some example of closed mobile system, you should look at Moto Linux. There's no official way to install ANY third party native programs on Moto Linux, the only way to install other native programs on Moto Linux is to crack/hack your own phone and do it yourself, and there's no SDK. At least Apple did provide a SDK for native program developmenet, and an offical (albeit severe limited) channel of letting you to install some third party programs to iPhone. And if you are unhappy about the official way, you can always crack/hack it and do it your own way like with Moto Linux. So Apple's iPhone is at least better than those Moto Linux phones. There is at least an official way, and an official SDK for easier development (which you can use to create programs not adhering to Apple's guideline/rules, as long as you don't plan to sell them on Apple Store).

    17. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Ed+Avis · · Score: 1

      You can write your own apps for iPhone, ignore those sucky "guideline/rules", and share your apps with others independent of Apple Store.

      Are you sure about that? Could you provide a link to some example iPhone applications that anybody can download and run without using the App Store?

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    18. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by tcr · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Oh, I have to jailbreak it. That makes sense... Oh wait, you're asking me to crack my own phone.
       
      To be fair, TFA mentions that in order to run Debian on Android, you have to use modded firmware to gain root access (it was removed by default by an update a little while ago). Probably won't brick the device, but there are no guarantees.
       
        Maybe I'll make it run in the background, so I can have something play music while users do something else... Nope, not allowed.
       
      What I've read suggests that the iPhone will continue iPod playback in the background, but not other apps. Never used one, though.
       
      I'm more than happy with my Android G1 in this respect, because I can run things like the StreamFurious Shoutcast client in the background while surfing or reading eBooks.

      --


      Information wants to be beer.
    19. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

      I would have gone for "Think you're different? Think you're better? Don't think: buy Apple."

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    20. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by MightyYar · · Score: 1

      It just comes down to goals.

      You want to buy an appliance that makes phone calls, browses the web, and checks your mail? The iPhone is a valid choice.

      You want to dick with the thing and geek out? It's not as good a choice... though to be honest jail breaking isn't such an ordeal.

      In any event, whatever happened to shades of gray? You don't have to either like or dislike the iPhone - you can think it's cool and not for you, for instance. That's my opinion. I like my Sony Eriksson flip phone, hobbled though it may be.

      --
      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
    21. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by drerwk · · Score: 1

      Google: iphone ad hock deploy
      A common use is for beta testers. As an individual dev, I can sign up 100 devices. I expect for $200 I could be an enterprise dev with unlimited deploy.
      But it is time consuming, I have to get a cert from Apple using the device id and package an App for the specific device. Certainly not worth $10 of my time. With the App Store, I can sell $0.99 apps and make money.

    22. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Bob9113 · · Score: 1

      I wound up poking through the Windows Mobile development stuff yesterday a bit after I posted. It looks like it would be roughly as easy to write for Windows Mobile from not Windows as it would be to write native code for Android. IE: there is no official support but also no significant barrier to prevent you from doing it. At least that is the look on the surface.

    23. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "how easy / common is it to develop for the Windows Mobile platform from a non-Windows platform?"

      Probably not very. But Visual Studio Express is free, and so is Windows itself for the 99.99% of (non-Mac) users who buy normal PCs. WM runs .Net Compact Framework apps, so in theory the Mono folks should be able to build WM executables if they try. Sure beats having to buy an Apple computer for USD $599 or more in order to run the "free" iPhone SDK.

      "Is it valid to say that there is no relationship between those third party apps and Microsoft if one must purchase Microsoft products to develop third party applications?"

      Yes, it is. Microsoft doesn't ask for even a fraction of a penny for any Windows Mobile app; Apple demands a 30% cut. Microsoft doesn't limit what you can run at all (it uses code-signing for protection, but lets end users decide whose signatures to trust, and lets them run unsigned code if they wish); Apple reviews every iPhone/iPod Touch app, rejects what they don't like, and has a remote kill switch so they can retroactively stop you from using anything they'd already approved.

      "Also, do you know if the license for the developer kit places any limitations on the software that you develop or component libraries that you can use?"

      I don't recall seeing anything like that in the Visual Studio EULA or EULAs for any other WM-related SDKs that I've downloaded for free (as in beer).

    24. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Ed+Avis · · Score: 1

      I know about the ad hoc deployment but as you said it's limited to 100 devices! AFAIK, there is no way (without jailbreaking) to distribute an iPhone app to everyone without using the app store.

      I expect for $200 I could be an enterprise dev with unlimited deploy.

      I don't think that is true.

      As I mentioned, if it were possible to distribute iPhone apps without Apple's agreement then there would be at least a few you can download from the web and run on your own phone. But none exist.

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    25. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      Can I buy an unlocked iPhone for a reasonable price, yet?

      Yes.

      How about deals with networks other than AT&T?

      Yes. AT&T is the only question mark. I'm currently using my Android phone on AT&T.

      Can I install custom software yet?

      Have been able to since day one. It's never been an issue; unlike the issues surrounding the iPhone.

      Maybe I'll make it run in the background, so I can have something play music while users do something else... Nope, not allowed.

      That's only an issue for iPhones. Creating background services on Android is trivial. Of course, constantly running stuff in the background is going to destroy your battery life.

      Yes, it's prettier.

      That's a matter of opinion. I actually like my android phone.

      There is no question of that -- there will be killer apps written for Android, even for Windows Mobile, which cannot be ported to the iPhone because of Apple's restrictions.

      This is already true. Some very cool applications which are available free are impossible on the iPhone.

      With some half dozen or more Android phones looming just over the horizon from various carriers and even Garmin, a new comer to phones (first link I found) bringing an Android phone to market, options will be aplenty. Already whole lines of phones are being developed specifically to target the Android platform.

      To add insult to injury, the G1 already has superior hardware but sadly, is held back waiting for an Android software update. This of course places Android owners in a superior position whereby an iPhone owner's only recourse is to purchase a whole new phone to obtain hardware parity.

    26. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      That is, you got some APIs, but ultimately, you could compile actually native code (unlike Android)

      Significant correction here. You CAN compile native code for android. I've done it. It's not that bad. It's just not officially supported - yet strangely enough, JNI is officially supported and it seems there is also a backdoor (unsupported) into the VM for fast native code calls.

      The good and the bad is, Android is a platform which is not tethered to a specific CPU architecture. Thusly applications written to the VM will run on all systems to which Android is supported. Applications which use native code may not run on these platforms without a platform specific recompile and release.

    27. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 1

      To be fair, TFA mentions that in order to run Debian on Android, you have to use modded firmware to gain root access

      Granted. But if you're willing to develop inside Google's VM, there are no restrictions there. I'm guessing there will be JRuby and Jython ports, too.

      What I've read suggests that the iPhone will continue iPod playback in the background, but not other apps.

      That fits what I've heard, which is basically that these rules are for you, not for Apple. After all, a web browser does download and interpret code on the fly (Javascript), but you're not allowed to do that, so Safari will be its only browser.

      So, you can play iTunes in the background, but probably not Pandora.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    28. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 1

      Let's see...

      The limitation of the iPhone is that you have to crack it to distribute any app that you haven't put through the App Store. Furthermore, there are rules like not being allowed to run interpreted languages.

      Android, if you're willing to stay within that VM, you can do pretty much whatever you want. And the reason for staying within the VM is more portability, I think, than anything else...

      As an example, if I were to port Python/Jython, or Ruby/JRuby, to Google's VM, I could write Python or Ruby apps. It might be easier to recompile those for the iPhone, but then every user would have to jailbreak their iPhone, because Apple forbids interpreted languages.

      You can write your own apps for iPhone, ignore those sucky "guideline/rules", and share your apps with others independent of Apple Store.

      Right, you just have to force all your users to jailbreak it.

      You shouldn't go to the Apple Store unless you want to make money out of it, which means it's no longer FOSS.

      You don't know what FOSS is. Hint: It's got nothing to do with money.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    29. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by Arterion · · Score: 1

      You can install the .NET compact framework on WM, so you should theoretically be able to compile them to CLI, and run the executable on a WM device without problem. Even without official support for the Compact Framework from Mono, it's just a subset of the complete .NET Framework -- you all you'd have to do is only call those portions that are available to the CF.

      As for the graphical portion, I'm not exactly sure. I am sure you could create your forms in code, the old fashioned way, but I'm not sure if there is any WYSISWG support for WM apps outside of Visual Studio.

      --
      "That which does not kill us makes us stranger." -Trevor Goodchild
    30. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by iamstretchypanda · · Score: 1

      You don't know what FOSS is. Hint: It's got nothing to do with money.

      FREE Open Source software? lol...

    31. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by SanityInAnarchy · · Score: 1

      I say again: You have no idea what you're talking about. Free as in speech, not beer. Libre, not gratis.

      Go read.

      --
      Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
    32. Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. by iamstretchypanda · · Score: 1

      whoosh

  5. Just a chrooted env? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Is it just a chrooted Debian installation? I'm assuming so, seeing as Android's just a bunch of Java progs running on a small custom Linux distro.

  6. The video sucks by amRadioHed · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Just shows Debian booting. What can you do with it?

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
    1. Re:The video sucks by flu1d · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just shows Debian booting. What can you do with it?

      You can drain your battery with it, enjoy!

    2. Re:The video sucks by CannonballHead · · Score: 1

      you can watch it. the video that is. ;)

    3. Re:The video sucks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      It does not show Debian booting, it shows an safe-upgrade using apt or aptitude.

      The Debian version is Lenny, btw.

    4. Re:The video sucks by wcoenen · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It is not booting. The video shows apt-get downloading and installing some packages on the phone.

    5. Re:The video sucks by biocute · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just shows Debian booting

      Wrong. It's the new media player, it turns sound wave into text. Can't you hear the 'tuff tuff' music playing?

      The header clearly stated "Here's what it looks like running:", so I have no reason to believe otherwise.

    6. Re:The video sucks by amRadioHed · · Score: 1

      Yeah, you're right. But is apt-get really the most interesting application that can run?

      --
      We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
    7. Re:The video sucks by nine-times · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Probably not, but being able to run apt-get is a big step in being able to run anything you damn well please.

    8. Re:The video sucks by guruevi · · Score: 1

      Actually, the GNU toolchain would be even better, it's sure more universal since I don't think there are that much binaries that you can get through apt that run directly on the processor of such device.

      --
      Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
    9. Re:The video sucks by cibyr · · Score: 5, Funny

      But you can use apt-get to install the GNU toolchain...

      But you can use the GNU toolchain to build apt-get...

      OH GOD I'M SO CONFUSED!

      --
      It's not exactly rocket surgery.
    10. Re:The video sucks by SimonH_1978 · · Score: 1

      Actually, it doesn't look like it's booting to me. It's already booted and they're apt-getting some packages from the Debian repo's.

    11. Re:The video sucks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I believe there's work underway to get the GSM modem support up in FSO [1], so using the Openmoko/FSO software you should be able to use it as a phone.

      [1] - http://www.freesmartphone.org

    12. Re:The video sucks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, you do.
      The video shows it doing apt-get install.

    13. Re:The video sucks by nine-times · · Score: 1

      Maybe if apt-get is available, and such devices become popular, people will bother to make more binaries available?

  7. Hey, switcheurs! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The only thing more pathetic than a PC user is a PC user trying to be a Mac user. We have a name for you people: switcheurs.

    There's a good reason for your vexation at the Mac's user interface: You don't speak its language. Remember that the Mac was designed by artists, for artists, be they poets, musicians, or avant-garde mathematicians. A shiny new Mac can introduce your frathouse hovel to a modicum of good taste, but it can't make Mac users out of dweebs and squares like you.

    So don't force what doesn't come naturally. You'll be much happier if you stick to an OS that suits your personality. And you'll be doing the rest of us a favor, too; you leave Macs to Mac users, and we'll leave beige to you.

  8. If it takes that much time to boot... by heteromonomer · · Score: 1

    it can be a serious turn off. But then, this is still great news. Question is, what is the meaning of android capabilities? Does it still mean I am forced to use Gmail?

    1. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by guppysap13 · · Score: 3, Informative

      This video looks more like apt updating and installing than debian booting, so we don't know how long it takes to boot. On the other hand, if it takes this long to install packages using apt, installing programs is going to be really painful.

    2. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Hi Guys, the video is of Debian doing an 'apt-get update' the boot takes less than 3 seconds. I showed this particular video to show that it is debian running. The boot is only 3 secs.

    3. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Question is, what is the meaning of android capabilities? Does it still mean I am forced to use Gmail?

      What do you mean "forced to use GMail"? There's a mail app you can use to access any IMAP4/POP3/SMTP mail account that comes with the phone.

    4. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by Ulysses_S_Grant · · Score: 1

      It's downloading quite a few packages - it would take close to that long on a full PC to download/install that much.

    5. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by SBFCOblivion · · Score: 1

      Only you have no idea how many applications apt was setting up.

    6. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by R_Dorothy · · Score: 1

      There is now a good extension to the default mail client called K9 (an android mutt) that handles POP and IMAP. You will still need a Google account for the phone, but I don't use Gmail on mine.

      --
      Stupid flounders!
    7. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      What do you mean "forced to use GMail"? There's a mail app you can use to access any IMAP4/POP3/SMTP mail account that comes with the phone.

      And it's very likely both K9 and the default email app will support IMAP IDLE in the near future to allow for push email notification to your phone.

    8. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is not booting, its a script that echos "Booting".... You just copied sauriks stuff and packaged it into a script to make it look more real to a n00b. Your problem is you forget most people that know linux enough to care about this also know enough to notice its fake. Yes debian is running (this has been possible for 2 months) but no its not "booting".

    9. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just to be clear, because it seems a lot of people don't get this: there are two mail clients that come with Android; a GMail-specific one that supports stars/favourites/etc, and a normal one. You can use the normal one with any POP or IMAP mail server. K9 has improvements, but it is not necessary to install it or anything else in order to access non-GMail mail accounts, you have everything you need out of the box. I get the impression people see the GMail-specific client and assume that's all there is.

    10. Re:If it takes that much time to boot... by R_Dorothy · · Score: 1

      Absolutely right, thanks for the clarification.

      The default mail client I was referring to was the POP/IMAP client -- not the GMail client. I don't use the GMail client and it didn't occur to me that there could be a source of confusion over the "default mail client".

      --
      Stupid flounders!
  9. Attention Windows Clickarounds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Yeah I'm talking to you. The wannabe computer programmer who thinks they are good at computers because they can click around the computer enough times and find the reboot button and 'fix' an inherently flawed windows system. You think you're cool because you can pirate photoshop but not know anything about it, get Microsoft Office for free but have the literacy of a 1st grader when writing a paper, and get a copy of Norton Anti-virus because your inherently flawed system is useless without Administrative privileges. Get a clue, you are not smart, you are just a corporate sheep for a company that will bury you if you ever tried to write any software that did anything remotely useful. You are a clickaround and all you know is your ugly gray existence that is Windows.

    Want the source code to windows vista?

    head -n 1000000 /dev/random > Windows.com

    1. Re:Attention Windows Clickarounds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Welcome to the internet! The person you replied to is called a 'troll' and what they do is post messages known to get replies (like yours) to websites like /..

      What you replied to with your witty creative comment is actually one of the older messages they have saved in their little notepad files.

    2. Re:Attention Windows Clickarounds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      A few years ago, while browsing around the library downtown, I had to take a piss. As I entered the john, a big beautiful all-American football hero type, about twenty five, came out of one of the booths. I stood at the urinal looking at him out of the corner of my eye as he washed his hands. He didn't once look at me. He was "straight" and married -- and in any case I was sure I wouldn't have a chance with him.

      As soon as he left, I darted into the booth he'd vacated, hoping there might be a lingering smell of shit and even a seat still warm from his sturdy young ass. I found not only the smell but the shit itself. He'd forgotten to flush. And what a treasure he had left behind. Three or four beautiful specimens floated in the bowl. It apparently had been a fairly dry, constipated shit, for all were fat, stiff, and ruggedly textured. The real prize was a great feast of turd -- a nine inch gastrointestinal triumph as thick as a man's wrist. I knelt before the bowl, inhaling the rich brown fragrance and wondered if I should obey the impulse building up inside me. I'd always been a heavy rimmer and had lapped up more than one little clump of shit, but that had been just an inevitable part of eating ass and not an end in itself.

      Of course I'd had jerkoff fantasies of devouring great loads of it (what rimmer hasn't?), but I had never done it. Now, here I was, confronted with the most beautiful five-pound turd I'd ever feasted my eyes on, a sausage fit to star in any fantasy and one I knew to have been hatched from the asshole of the world's handsomest young stud.

      Why not? I plucked it from the bowl, holding it with both hands to keep it from breaking.

      I lifted it to my nose. It smelled like rich, ripe limburger (horrid, but thrilling), yet had the consistency of cheddar. What is cheese anyway but milk turning to shit without the benefit of a digestive tract? I gave it a lick and found that it tasted better then it smelled. I've found since then that shit nearly almost does. I hesitated no longer. I shoved the fucking thing as far into my mouth as I could get it and sucked on it like a big brown cock, beating my meat like a madman. I wanted to completely engulf it and bit off a large chunk, flooding my mouth with the intense, bittersweet flavor. To my delight I found that while the water in the bowl had chilled the outside of the turd, it was still warm inside. As I chewed I discovered that it was filled with hard little bits of something I soon identified as peanuts. He hadn't chewed them carefully and they'd passed through his body virtually unchanged. I ate it greedily, sending lump after peanutty lump sliding scratchily down my throat. My only regret was the donor of this feast wasn't there to wash it down with his piss. I soon reached a terrific climax. I caught my cum in the cupped palm of my hand and drank it down. Believe me, there is no more delightful combination of flavors than the hot sweetness of cum with the rich bitterness of shit. Afterwards I was sorry that I hadn't made it last longer. But then I realized that I still had a lot of fun in store for me. There was still a clutch of virile turds left in the bowl. I tenderly fished them out, rolled them into my hankercheif, and stashed them in my briefcase.

      In the week to come I found all kinds of ways to eat the shit without bolting it right down. Once eaten it's gone forever unless you want to filch it third hand out of your own asshole -- not an unreasonable recourse in moments of desperation or simple boredom.

      I stored the turds in the refrigerator when I was not using them but within a week they were all gone.

      The last one I held in my mouth without chewing, letting it slowly dissolve. I had liquid shit trickling down my throat for nearly four hours. I must have had six orgasms in the process. I often think of that lovely young guy dropping solid gold out of his sweet, pink asshole every day, never knowing what joy it could, and at least once did,bring to a grateful shiteater.

    3. Re:Attention Windows Clickarounds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

      the windows clickaround troll is actually mine. i posted once in 2007 and i am surprised people are trolling with it. the apple behind the scenes one is mine too. just compare writing styles. for the record a bad origiinal troll is better than a good copy paste job.

  10. Tempting by Kindgott · · Score: 1

    I'm tempted to root my phone to use this trick. It almost makes me wish I bought the developer handset.

    --
    If there's anything more important than my ego around here, I want it caught and shot immediately.
  11. Will this work on the iPhone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Steve Jobs has AIDS LOL - News release posted here

  12. this is just debootstrap by joey · · Score: 3, Insightful

    All the video shows is debootstrap being run in a terminal on, presumably, a G1 phone.

    Since debootstrap is a shell script that builds a debian chroot and is designed to be run on any linux system, that is not a significant accomplishment, is it?

    That's the "installer" portion. The "bootloader" portion would appear to consist of something like:

    #!/bin/sh
    chroot /debian

    Anyway, it's nice to see interest in running Debian on these devices, I guess..

    --
    see shy jo
    1. Re:this is just debootstrap by buchner.johannes · · Score: 1

      But hey, the music is nice. It seems the Debian installer got better ;-)

      Hey how do get my pointless blog entries on slashdot?

      --
      NB: The message above might reflect my opinion right now, but not necessarily tomorrow or next year.
    2. Re:this is just debootstrap by spoonboy42 · · Score: 1

      Indeed. Anything which plays Rej by Ame while installing/upgrading gets high marks from me.

      --
      Anonymous Luddite: "What do you think of the dehumanizing effects of the Internet?"
      Andy Grove: "Not Much."
  13. You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    but you can't take the jungle out of a nigger!

    Pittsburgh police detectives are trying to identify a man who sexually
    assaulted two women this week in Shadyside and Hazelwood by crawling
    through open windows.

    The rapist assaulted the first woman in the early morning hours
    Wednesday and the second Thursday morning.

    "I understand its been hot and humid and people leave their windows
    open, but people need to make sure they do so in a way so that someone
    can't gain entry to their house," Pittsburgh police Deputy Chief Earl
    Woodyard said.

    Police described the suspect as a thin black man in his 20s, between
    5-foot-7 and 6 feet tall. He had braided hair and wore a do-rag, police
    said.

    In the first assault, he crawled through an open, first-floor window of
    an apartment building in the 6300 block of Fifth Avenue in Shadyside
    between 1:15 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. The woman living there was sleeping and
    heard a noise but didn't get up to investigate. He entered the woman's
    bedroom and sexually assaulted her before leaving through the front
    door, Woodyard said.

    About 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, a woman living in a multi-unit home in the
    700 block of Hazelwood Avenue in Hazelwood awoke to find a man in her
    bedroom. The man, who fit the description of the Shadyside attacker,
    held a do rag over his face as he sexually assaulted the woman, Woodyard
    said. The suspect had crawled through an open window.

    When the suspect left the Hazelwood victim's apartment, she saw him
    drive away in a tan, newermodel sedan. That victim told police her
    attacker smelled heavily of cologne.

    "Because the second victim didn't hear any noises, but awoke to find him
    in her bedroom, we don't know how long he was in the apartment,"
    Woodyard said. "We also don't know if anything was taken from the
    victims during either assault."

    In both incidents, the victims screamed once, and the suspect told them
    to stop. But both victims screamed again.

    Woodyard said the suspect didn't threaten either victim with a weapon.
    "It's possible he may get more courageous and strike again since both of
    these incidents happened so close together," Woodyard said.

    "Particularly since the second assault happened at a time when it's
    light outside and people are moving about."

    Police are investigating whether the suspect targeted the women in
    advance. The first victim is married, but was home alone, and the second
    victim lived alone, Woodyard said. Both victims are in their 20s.

    Woodyard said investigators are encouraging any other victims or anyone
    with information to call city sex crimes detectives at 4123237141.

    1. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Michelle Obama. Remember her? She worked as a hospital administrator. But Immediately after her husband, Barack Obama, was elected senator, her salary tripled and Barack Obama porked her hospital millions.

      How important was her work to the hospital? Well, she was on leave for almost all of 2008. And now that she has quit her job (officially), the hospital won't be replacing her. They're eliminating the position. At least until the next senator needs some bribe money.

    2. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      .________________________________________________.
      | ______________________________________._a,____ |
      | _______a_._______a_______aj#0s_____aWY!400.___ |
      | __ad#7!!*P____a.d#0a____#!-_#0i___.#!__W#0#___ |
      | _j#'_.00#,___4#dP_"#,__j#,__0#Wi___*00P!_"#L,_ |
      | _"#ga#9!01___"#01__40,_"4Lj#!_4#g_________"01_ |
      | ________"#,___*@`__-N#____`___-!^_____________ |
      | _________#1__________?________________________ |
      | _________j1___________________________________ |
      | ____a,___jk_GAY_NIGGER_ASSOCIATION_OF_AMERICA_ |
      | ____!4yaa#l___________________________________ |
      | ______-"!^____________________________________ |
      ` _______________________________________________'


      called. And Sarai was circumcised in the children and the whole land of the earth. And Joseph day of his tent, and stood upright as he had made; and her to pass after his master came to pass at the people of Pharaoh surely hired thee into the money of the first is in male among the woman that have borne children of Pharaoh's, the Hebrews: and the kings of the house, Bring forth the children, or from before you; and his name of Noah, and from Pharaoh, and what good or not. And the first-born said unto them, saying, What is the seven years. And Cain said unto her to pass, as one that moveth upon them: and these are mine; Ephraim before him as his dreams. And in his place. And other brother the sons of the greatness of heaven, and behold now, do unto Abraham, and he said, Behold, I will destroy from their ponds of Israel took stones, and went to them, Sing ye are beaten; but give it was called Zoar. So the father seven days of Milcah, she had not cast her pitcher to shear his own people. But he put our money. And the integrity of Pharaoh said one from thy son Joseph laid up in the land perish not in: so unto Jehovah, until he said to Ephron the book of all the king of any beast of God, who shall die. And Jacob their anger was good. And God hath let the mother made Jehovah called the children of Israel, that was brought in their kind, and all the selfsame day, to dwell in thy father, Let me word of Admah, and brake every creeping thing also, O Lord, I know not one. And by the same is like the money is Kadesh), and the river; and there was left, and said unto all the lad where they blessed of fire, and Shelah begat Enosh: and said unto him. And Noah awoke from thence to him, Who would have ye that is escaped, and Zillah, hear me, Aner, Eshcol, and go down; for the woman said unto thy servants, that I have seen the younger son, Enoch. And also the land of Pharaoh, and he shall bring them away. Until thy voice to his work; and Zibeon the God Almighty bless her, Let the city. And their city, and men-servants, and Adbeel, and for an ordinance for thy children, Rachel was none that which thou shalt thou seest my sister. And he hath taken the people go, that I establish with her father hither. Send me word of Abram's wife; and well favored. And Jacob asked him, Behold, Rebekah said unto me, the enemy. And we dreamed a river went down into the one portion above the generations of the Egyptians shall help meet him, a good ears of Gerar sent, and go and it remain until the king of Shinar, Arioch king over all his host of Egypt, and we shall come to him, then is how then hast said. And he said, The water from the sea; there is this day. And Moses said, O my master, and hail; and by her. And Laban went throughout your herds, as he them, shall eat thy dead. But he bought with me, even me at the frogs shall not when the heavens, and all the bow down unto thee before him also and thee. Bury thy father Isaac, she conceived again, buy grain, and that our brother is what ye shall know that were on my people, Remember this day, and for venison, and honey. And they might dwell together: for in the Arkite, and he refused to pass after them: and it was hardened, and let one that he had they were gone out of Paddan-aram, to Esau said, Lest I have sorely grieved him as ye may know that she said t

    3. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

      You uneducated bitch.

    4. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by mrjane · · Score: 1

      All I can say is that /. has gone to shit, there are 10 trolls on every topic with fucking walls of text.I know I shouldn't feed the troll but the situation is out of control and I really liked this site.

    5. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by grimwell · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Try changing your threshold to zero or higher. Then you won't see the trolls.

      --
      If the govt becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law, it invites man to become his own law, it invites anarchy
    6. Re:You can take a nigger out of the jungle, by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      You also won't see anything that actually says anything. As Aristotle said, if you let the idiots with mod points choose your reading matter for you, you might as well cut your ears off. OSLT.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  14. Hey, Libertarians! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Hey, Libertarians!

    Guess what, you insufferable nincompoops? Our government is itself the product of a market system. Cities like New York, London, and San Francisco are successful precisely *because* of their enormous governments--they compete for capital, talent, and prestige against cities with small, ineffectual governments that are unable to effectively lure and corral said capital, talent, and prestige. And as goes the city, so go city-states and nations: Somalia, being a libertarian paradise, is a rather unpleasant place to live for non-ideologues. Somalians, those who can, vote with their feet and leave.

    Now go suckle Ayn Rand's rotten tits some more and leave the rest of us alone, you stupid fucking Paultards.

    1. Re:Hey, Libertarians! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I love you

  15. teh lolz by joey · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is the actual code from the bootdeb script.

    I particularly like how init is "started" before the kernel is "booted". The "automounter" is also a nice touch. It's also impressive how the kernel boots in exactly 1 second every time.

    echo "Custom Linux Pseudo Bootstrapper V1.0 - by Mark Walker"
    echo "WEB: http://www.androidfanatic.com/"
    echo "EML: admin@androidfanatic.com"
    echo " "
    sleep 1
    echo "Starting init process"
    sleep 1
    echo "INIT: Debian booting....."
    sleep 1
    echo "Running Linux Kernel"
    sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
    sleep 1
    echo "AutoMounter started"
    sleep 1
    echo "Type EXIT to end session"
    echo "Make sure you do a proper EXIT for a clean kill of Debian!"
    echo " "

    chroot $mnt /bin/bash

    On the other hand, my prediction re debootstrap was wrong. Rather than just use the shell script as designed, the creator of this thing ships an entire pre-built debian system that's chrooted into. Amusingly, this includes a root/.bash_history showing every command he ran while setting it up. (It also includes 104 mb of cached debs in /var, etc.)

    Anyway, very amusing.

    --
    see shy jo
    1. Re:teh lolz by Erez.Hadad · · Score: 0

      Finally. I was browsing the talkback list waiting for someone to explain why would anyone bother to install a second Linux kernel (of the debian distro, in addition to the android distro) on the same device or (even worse) try to have both kernels running together.
      Now it makes sense.

  16. Does this happen much? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I visit /. every day and have done so for about a year now and have never seen so much "trolling" on one post. Anyway, Debian on the G1 is pretty cool! It just shows how flexible and amazing open source software can be!

    1. Re:Does this happen much? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      I don't know much about internet trolling, but here's my story:

      I dropped a brown rope this morning the size of a small black child. At one point, I wasn't sure if I was taking a shit, or if the shit was taking me. On that note, what's the deal with taking a shit? Shouldn't it be leaving a shit? I'm certainly not taking anything with me when I'm done.

      But back on topic, trolls suck ass.

  17. Welcome to the new year by ColdWetDog · · Score: 5, Funny

    2009: The year of Terminal on the cell phone.

    Take that iPhone!

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    1. Re:Welcome to the new year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maddox had a terminal two years ago!

      http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

    2. Re:Welcome to the new year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Terminal usage within a phone is limited.

      iPhone has plenty of ssh and vnc clients (dunno about X11).

      pfft.

    3. Re:Welcome to the new year by seandiggity · · Score: 1

      2009: The year of Terminal on the cell phone. Take that iPhone!

      ...I had the terminal on my iPhone in 2008. I had to jaibreak it and install it via cydia, but still.

      --
      Geeks like to think that they can ignore politics, you can leave politics alone, but politics won't leave you alone.-rms
    4. Re:Welcome to the new year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      2009: The year of Terminal on the cell phone.

      Take that iPhone!

      The iPhone can also use a debian-based installer, and it has a bash terminal :)

    5. Re:Welcome to the new year by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm pretty sure there were S60 SSH clients over 6 years ago. At least I used one on my Nokia 7650 back when it was the latest thing.

  18. booting? by aperion · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Article mentions Android is based on Debian, so basically what has happened is apt-get was installed (and all required software) which then gives access to the entire debain ARM library.

    Is this correct?

    It's sad the number of responses saying this is a boot screen... maybe if you don't actually look at it, and just go: 'oh pretty text!'

    1. Re:booting? by lintux · · Score: 1

      > Article mentions Android is based on Debian

      I have mine for only a week so I may have missed sometihng, but I definitely haven't noticed anything "Debianish" on the phone. Non-GNU libc, very odd userland (it's not GNU nor busybox), etc...

    2. Re:booting? by Nurgled · · Score: 1

      I think you misunderstood the sentence about it not being a port. It's saying that the phone's architecture is ARM EABI and that Debian has an existing port for ARM EABI; Android itself is not built on Debian, as far as I'm aware.

    3. Re:booting? by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      EABI is a family of specifications. Android does not strictly comply to EABI. You'll often see ARM-EABI and Linux-EABI. If you have a choice, you want Linux-EABI.

  19. My android by fph+il+quozientatore · · Score: 1

    You can now download an installer and bootloader for getting Debian running on your Android

    Well I've tried, you insensitive clod, but he keeps running away, and as it has robotic legs it's faster than me!

    --
    My first program:

    Hell Segmentation fault

  20. NICE! by certain+death · · Score: 4, Informative

    I have the phone, but I am not so sure I am willing to do this...

    --
    "My immediate reaction is "WTF? What kind of moron doesn't make things 64-bit safe to begin with?" Linus
    1. Re:NICE! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I will do it if I get a light saber app to do battle against evil iphone users. I am posting from my G1 by the way.

      G1 post!!!

    2. Re:NICE! by riflemann · · Score: 3, Informative

      I put debian on my Dev G1. Zero problems.

      It's safe - all it does is run a chroot environment from your SD card, thus you are unable to break your existing system (/dev hacks aside). No kernel is booted, it lives off the running system kernel.

      This means two things:

      - Resources are only consumed by actual running debian processes you initiate. No mysterious background daemons. I run a bash shell, and the only extra process on the phone is one bash shell.

      - Aside from memory/cpu resources (not really scarce on a 192Mb phone), zero impact on the rest of the phone (I can compile a kernel whilst making a call at the same time).

      I can now install and run any debian app. With a $12 4Gb micro-sd, I can install a *lot*. Access either via keyboard or network (ssh).

      python and perl on my phone - w00t!

      All I'm waiting on now is someone to create python modules to interface with the phone's GUI. And/or an X server.

    3. Re:NICE! by certain+death · · Score: 1

      Holy Crap man! Now you have me wanting to play. I have not tried, but I have heard that a 8 or 16 gig micro-sd will work in them, do you know if that is true? If so, I may give this a shot...mostly because it just sounds fun.

      --
      "My immediate reaction is "WTF? What kind of moron doesn't make things 64-bit safe to begin with?" Linus
    4. Re:NICE! by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      Holy Crap man! Now you have me wanting to play. I have not tried, but I have heard that a 8 or 16 gig micro-sd will work in them, do you know if that is true? If so, I may give this a shot...mostly because it just sounds fun.

      I have a 16GB micro-SD card in my phone right now. I also have busybox installed. I also have a 32MB swap file set up on the SD card. You can do some pretty cool things with this phone.

  21. FTL! by recharged95 · · Score: -1, Troll
    Sorry, but what is it booting into? A terminal login? If so, then this is completely unproductive--I rather use connectbot or the RC29 terminal on my G1. I'm ashamed ./ for posting a video that makes no sense, well maybe in some weird s/w p0rn sense.

    .

    Aside from the cool geek factor, why load Debian? It's a distro optimized for servers. The G1 has a good linux system on it (and it's F/OSS) and a set of great tools. Even on the Freerunner, there's a Debian distro available too, but Om2008, Android, and Qtopia and FDOM are way better. Ok, pat on the back to the fellow for being a true geek (I can relate, e.g. I have Android running on my Freerunner), but yeah?

    .

    Then again, maybe it's because it's Debian? I after to ask it. (here comes the mod-down...) If it was Redhat, Opensuse, Slackware, or even DSL, I doubt it would end up on the front page of /.

    1. Re:FTL! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Aside from the cool geek factor, why load Debian?

      You answered your own question there. Do you really need a better answer?

    2. Re:FTL! by mixmatch · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Aside from the cool geek factor, why load Debian? It's a distro optimized for servers.

      Who told you that? My experience is that Debian's strength is in its versatility, rather than a focus on servers. Thats why it is seen in using for anything from the firmware-based Linksys NSLU2 to being the base of some of the most popular desktop distros of the past few years, suck as Knoppix and Ubuntu.

    3. Re:FTL! by SBFCOblivion · · Score: 1

      It's not booting into anything. It was apt installing stuff.

  22. Yeah! by Nybble's+Byte · · Score: 0

    So much for the iPhone's alleged superiority as the supreme geek toy.

    1. Re:Yeah! by larry+bagina · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm pretty sure the supreme geek toy is still a greased up yoda doll.

      --
      Do you even lift?

      These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  23. the point of the android by heroine · · Score: 3, Funny

    The android standards were written so you wouldn't install package managers & run native programs. You're supposed to be running Java Xlets. What's wrong with you people?

    1. Re:the point of the android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      java suuu uuuuu uuuuuu uuuuuu uu uuuu uuu u uu uuu uu uuu uu uuuu uuuuu uu uuuuuu uuuu uu uuuuu ucks

    2. Re:the point of the android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow, that's original.

    3. Re:the point of the android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Man, you were gasping for air there.

  24. Really uninspiring by NekoXP · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Well, you boot Android, get Debian on it and the video we're treated to is... ... running apt-get to drag down packages.

    Am I the only one who thinks this is totally pointless?

    1. Re:Really uninspiring by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      agreed. its a godamn phone with shitty hardware. recently bought a samsung i8510 innov8 - love it. GPS with Garmin, 32GB storage with 16GB microsdhc, 8 megapixel camera with dual led flash and video recording 30/120fps, bluetooth, FM, 3G+quad GSM, built in skype over wifi, 802.11b/g. runs symbian....do i care ? no. its a godamn phone. i use it to make calls, surf very rarely, gps and take snaps. for everything else i have a debian laptop with a huge ass widescreen. kinda pointless to run debian on a phone. has a cool factor tho, but its pointless.

    2. Re:Really uninspiring by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      Hmm... having THOUSANDS of apps at your fingertips.

      You know that sounds vaguely like another phone I've heard about...

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    3. Re:Really uninspiring by NekoXP · · Score: 1

      Is there really anything cool about Debian anymore, unless you're a 57 year old hippie with a beard that would make Brian Blessed jealous?

      There are lots of reasons I'd like to run Linux on a phone. But a busybox and apt-get on a phone? Come on.

    4. Re:Really uninspiring by NekoXP · · Score: 1

      Thousands of poorly maintained, 3 year old apps, too! :)

      I can think of one advantage over iPhone; no apps like iFart in the repositories. It will only be a matter of time though.

    5. Re:Really uninspiring by FrozenFOXX · · Score: 1

      NobleFart is already on the marketplace. I know, it hurts me, too.

      --
      "Just a fox, a whisper."
    6. Re:Really uninspiring by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who knows. There are many stupid people, so you may not be the only one.

      On the other hand some of us find the ability install ssh, openvpn, and so on, quite useful. But then again, these are real applications which we use in real life, instead of dicking around with our iPhones.

    7. Re:Really uninspiring by NekoXP · · Score: 1

      You made it this far without needing SSH from your phone, what makes today any different?

      What's wrong with your laptop, which you obviously use right now for this? The limitations are going to be the same.. you need to have it with you to do anything, anyway.

      Also, do you really want to be on-call 24/7 just because you have your phone with you, and no possible excuse? This is the start of your availability being abused at work, and that's the end of it. I don't think it's stupid to want to be able to legitimately claim I'm on vacation or it's a weekend and I didn't bring my laptop with me so it'll have to wait until Monday.

      Oh. This is all of course if your internet access via the 3G network isn't restricted through god knows how many routers, filters and .. proxies..

      The ability to run your favourite app on your phone may not be so cool if you need to find a WiFi hotspot to do it on (not that those won't be similarly restricted in public places, either). That is of course assuming that Debian has any access to the 3G modem to actually connect out without wifi.. good luck with that.

      I really don't think it is "cool" at all that running real applications you use in real life on a PHONE, and it certainly doesn't make Android "cooler" than the iPhone (or any other phone) just because it can.. There is a point when running Linux on yet something else gets really boring. It got boring with NetBSD, too.

  25. Because.. by RulerOf · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why would you want a system so closed, inflexible, and proprietary that it makes Windows look good?

    With all the thrashing /. has given Vista, we Microsoft fanbois will take what we can get. ;)

    --
    Boot Windows, Linux, and ESX over the network for free.
  26. GNU/Linux/Debian/Android? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Why does the article/ video say "use Debian on Android"? If you install Debian you are no longer using Android.

    I definitely plan to order one of these phones next month (I don't have T-Mobile in my area, so I need to buy the Developer Edition with the snazzy graphics on the back)

    I now need to stop procrastinating and (vastly) improve my Java skills and start writing some Android apps.

  27. Language! by XanC · · Score: 3, Funny

    suck as Knoppix and Ubuntu.

    Hey now, they're not so bad...

  28. Alright, fine... by Shaitan+Apistos · · Score: 1

    ...but does it run Linux?

  29. AndroidFanatics fails to credit their sources by saurik · · Score: 3, Informative

    For the record, this is just a shell script that runs the commands listed here: http://www.saurik.com/id/10. AndroidFanatics generally doesn't reference it's sources. At least this time they (arguably) provided some value in packaging, but that usually isn't the case. The Android Market Browser it has, for example, is just a republished download of http://www.cyrket.com/. It used to be an iframe, but when I told them I wasn't okay with that they decided to just wget the contents. They don't even have the intelligence/decency to reformat it at all, making the entire thing quite flagrant. Frown pants.

  30. name suggestion... by martyFREEDOM · · Score: 1

    DebiAndroid?

    1. Re:name suggestion... by saurik · · Score: 1

      DebiAndroid?

      That was also my thought (I'm the guy who organizes the g1-hackers mailing list, and has been pioneering Debian on this platform, and any changes required to init and the kernel needed to support it) ;) I almost responded "if you check, I actually registered the domain name, and once I finish the changes required to get Debian installed to / I am likely to put the final instructions there with a bug tracker", but then I remembered I hadn't /actually/ bought it yet. I quickly did just now. ;)

  31. Power management is a problem in Android devices by MrvFD · · Score: 1

    The problem with (originally) Android-based devices is that their power management is done in a completely non-standard way. It's not that it would not be open, but passing tokenized dead mice through a wormhole is quite a pain. Will there be enough community interest to actually ever put the power management to a level that can be used by non-Android distributions?

    This is where the Neo FreeRunner shines - not only you can install Debian (or Gentoo) on the device, but you can actually use it as your daily phone / GPS device / music player to a similar extent you can use the Openmoko distribution.

    It's not just, or it should not just be a "fun hack" to install Debian on your phone - the point should be that you can use your phone with Debian, similar to what you done on your desktop/laptop computer. Of course, there should not be any need to hack the phone before being able to install own programs on it, but there is already the Android dev phone available so that's not the problem with Google phones.

  32. Pocket Workstation by LittleBigScript · · Score: 1

    Reminds me of the Zaurus

    http://www.pocketworkstation.org/

  33. Maemo on your G1 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ok, is anyone already porting maemo into G1? Debian based it being.

  34. EMACS! by DSmith1974 · · Score: 1

    Finally! But how to get the Ctrl, Esc and Function keys???

    --
    It is not immoral to create the human species - with or without ceremony, Samuel Clemens.
  35. Brick the phone? by FrozenFOXX · · Score: 1

    This looks very cool and has made me a lot more interested in rooting my G1 now that it's very simple to do so. However, this gives me a couple of concerns that I don't find easily-answered and I'm sure others reading this article are probably wondering, too.

    -You root your phone, you install the modded firmware...and then at a later date you decide you no longer want any of this and want to go back to a "normal" set of firmware and functionality for your G1. Once you root it and run the altered firmware are you able to do this? If so, anyone got a link for how you'd go about resetting the phone to its factory state (I'm assuming modded firmware would make it difficult to do the standard way in Settings).

    -What about interaction with your calling plan? If it's not an official firmware, am I still going to be able to use things like MyFaves and unlimited text 'cause I've got a real low regular minute plan (hence the reason for getting the MyFaves and unlimited data/text).

    -If you brick your phone is there an easy way to unbrick it? Kinda like a hard reset?

    Please forgive my n00bishness on this, but I figure they're important questions.

    --
    "Just a fox, a whisper."