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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.

11 of 160 comments (clear)

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

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

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

    Must resist purchase of new geek toy...

    1. 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: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!

  4. 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!
  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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
  8. 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!
  9. 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
  10. 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.