Debian GNU/Linux is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run.

Debian uses the Linux kernel (the core of an operating system), but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux.

Debian GNU/Linux provides more than a pure OS: it comes with more than 3950 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.

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The latest stable release of Debian is 2.2; see what's new in it.
The latest update to the stable release is 2.2r5 and it was released on January 10th, 2002.

If you'd like to start using Debian, obtain a copy, read the installation manual and install it.

Users that speak languages other than English should check the international section.

People who use systems other than Intel x86 should check the ports section.

To get help in using or setting up Debian, see our extensive documentation. Check the support page, too.

Debian systems are known for being easy to upgrade. If you're still running an old Debian release, find out how to upgrade to the latest release.

It's especially important to upgrade because of security issues, like the following recent ones:

[30 Jan 2002] DSA-107 jgroff

format print vulnerability

[26 Jan 2002] DSA-106 rsync

remote exploit

[21 Jan 2002] DSA-105 enscript

insecure temporary files

Subscribe to the security announcement mailing list to receive these alerts as soon as they're announced.

For older news items see the News Page.
If you would like to receive mail whenever new Debian news comes out, subscribe to the debian-announce mailing list.
Debian Weekly News is an in-depth summary of what's happened in the world of Debian.

Debian is developed entirely by volunteers, and we could always use a helping hand.
You can contribute in various ways:

• report problems when you find them,
• join the mailing lists to talk about Debian,
• maintain a mirror,
• donate services or money,
• become a developer,
• help with quality assurance
• etc.