Group:Manchester/2010-02-16

An Introduction To The Debian Project by Leslie I’Anson

This month’s talk will be delivered by Leslie I’Anson from Manchester Free Software. Leslie’s talk has one very simple objective, which is to answer the following question:

“From the literally hundreds of GNU/Linux distributions in existence, what makes Debian special?”

Leslie has been using some form of the GNU/Linux operating system as his primary desktop environment since the Summer of 2007 and since then he has experimented with a multitude of different distributions; form the “easy-to-use” ( i.e Ubuntu, Fedora and openSUSE) to the down-right “hardcore” (LFS, Slackware, Gentoo and Arch). All in all, Leslie’s estimates that he’s used over twenty different incarnations of this popular free software platform.

However, one distribution keeps drawing him back – Debian (which incidentally was Leslie’s first ever experience of a free software operating system). Believing that he has finally settled down with his one true love, Leslie attempts to explain why this is and, as you will no doubt discover, the rationale behind this decision is far from purely technical.

So join us if you will for, what will (hopefully) be, an entertaining and enlightening introduction to both Debian as operating system and as a project.

Also, as a special treat, Robert Burrell Donkin will be following this month’s talk with what he is dubbing a “Cryptography Un-Workshop”. Robert’s plan is to use this opportunity to gauge the level of interest before possibly embarking on a full-blown, audience-led, un-conference style, interactive talk and workshop later in the year.

The meeting will take place at the usual time, 7pm, at the Lass O'Gowrie pub on Charles Street in Central Manchester. We will be located in the Salmon Room upstairs, although there will be people around a little earlier downstairs (probably sampling the food and drinks on offer). Just ask at the bar if you can't find us. The Lass website has full details of how to get there and the fine selection of food and drink available. The venue also provides wifi.

If you would like five minutes to tell us about something, please contact us.

• Location: The Lass
• Date: 2010-02-16
• Start time: 19:00
• Finish time: 20:30

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