Home › Debian projects

Debian Quickstart Project

Chris Lale (chrislale AT untrammelled DOT co DOT uk)

8th January 2007

1 Purpose

To create a cheap, easy to copy and reproduce, freely distributable Debian starter pack with live CD, installer and easy to follow documentation. The aim would be to get copies into public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, etc, as well as giving Debian users and event organisers something to pass on to others by hand. The starter pack should make it clear that copying and redistribution of both documentation and CD is allowed and encouraged.

2 Outline

The project will consist of

  1. A Debian Live! CD containing

    1. a live Debian distribution and
    2. a netinstall installer selectable at boot.

    The live CD will contain a GUI and tools capable of the non-destructive repartitioning of a Windows partition.

  2. Documentation to accompany the CD. When printed, the documentation will form a slim booklet outlining the Debian GNU/Linux project, describing how to use the live CD and giving instructions for the installer.
  3. CD label artwork.

3 Possible CD contents

3.1 Software

  • At least one desktop - Gnome for preference.
  • Tools capable of shrinking a Windows partition non-destructively, similar to the Gparted live CD. This would make it much easier to install a dual boot system on an existing Windows installation.
  • A copy of the documentation.
  • A copy of the CD label artwork.
  • A selection of desktop apps would be nice eg office suite, DTP, graphics, multimedia.

3.2 CD label

  • Debian logo
  • Notice explaining that copying/duplicating of the CD is allowed (so that libraries do not remove the CD before lending out the booklet).
  • Notice about how to obtain the booklet if it were missing from the pack.
  • Information about version/edition, licences,etc.

4 Possible documentation contents

4.1 Text

  • Explanation of Free software and Debian Free Software Guidelines.
  • Critique of Debian GNU/Linux.
  • Live CD instructions.
  • Instructions for installing Debian including
    • a partitioning guide and instructions for use of live CD partitioning software (eg to shrink a Windows partition non-destructively,
    • a guide to running the installer and
    • information about obtaining CD/DVD disc sets (possibly including the use of jigdo?).
  • Explanation of nature and source of support.
  • Artwork for the CD label (possibly inside the back cover where the CD in a wallet might normally be attached.
  • Notice about how to obtain the CD if it were missing from the pack (possibly inside the back cover).
  • Notice explaining that copying/duplicating of the CD is allowed (so that libraries do not remove the CD before lending out the booklet).
  • Information about authors, version/edition, licence, etc.
  • Cataloguing information for librarians.
  • ISBN if one is considered desirable and affordable (around GBP100).

4.2 Format

  • The documentation will be in the form of a booklet suitable for printing on A4 or Letter monochrome and colour printers.
  • The documentation might be made available in PDF format for printing, but also HTML (online) and source format (eg LY X).
  • The booklet will be available in A4 and A5 page sizes to allow a booklet to be made simply by binding together A4 pages (A4 format) or by stapling them through the centre line (A5 format).
  • The booklet will be short, with its length a multiple of 4 pages.

5 Possible licencing

The GNU Free Documentation License might be suitable.

If the booklet needs an ISBN, front and back cover matter might be needed.

6 Distribution

The Project will need a web presence - perhaps Berlios or Sourceforge - with these requirements:

  • facility to download CD ISO, CD label artwork and documentation,
  • website/wiki,
  • CVS,
  • mailing list if there is more than one developer.

Appendix: Licence

Copyright © 2007 Chris Lale (chrislale AT untrammelled DOT co DOT uk ). Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document with no Invariant Sections, with no Front-Cover texts and with no Back-Cover Texts under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.1 or any later version, published by the Free Software Foundation. A copy of the license can be found at http://www.fsf.org/copyleft/fdl.html .