The Debian 2.2 GNU/Linux distribution is put together and maintained by the Debian project. In this section, we offer some background data about Debian as a project, and about the Debian 2.2 release.
Debian is a free (libre) operating system, which currently uses the Linux kernel to put together the Debian GNU/Linux software distribution (although other distributions based in other kernels, like the Hurd, are expected in the near future). This distribution is available for several architectures, including Intel x86, ARM, Motorola 680x0, PowerPC, Alpha, and SPARC.
The core of the Debian distribution (called section "main", which amounts for the vast majority of the packages) is composed only of free software, according to the DFSG (Debian Free Software Guidelines). It is available in the Net for download, and many redistributors sell it in CDs or other media. The Debian distribution is put together by the Debian project, a group of over 900 volunteer developers spread around the world, collaborating via the Internet. They take care not only of adapting and packaging all the software included in the distribution, but also of the web infrastructure, the Debian bug tracking system, the internationalization efforts, the Debian support and development lists, and in a wide sense, of all the infrastructure that makes the Debian distribution possible.
Debian developers package software which they obtain from the original (upstream) authors, ensuring that it works smoothly with the rest of the programs in the Debian system. For this matter, there is a set of rules that the package should comply with, the so called Debian Policy Manual. Most of the work for packaging a given program is usually make it compliant with those rules. Developers also take bug reports, try to fix them (reporting fixes and problems upstream), follow new upstream developments, and build all the software glue needed for making Debian system work. Bugs and security holes are discussed openly, and updates fixing important problems are made available for stable releases on a daily basis so that users can maintain their systems secure and as much bug free as possible.
Debian is unique for many reasons. Its dedication to free software, its non-profit nature, and its open development model (where most of the discussions are addressed openly in public lists) are remarkable. It is committed to free software, as is reflected in the Debian Social Contract. The definition of what Debian understand as free software can be found in the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG), and in essence is the same software which can be considered "open source" software.
Debian 2.2 (potato) is the latest official release, the one currently considered as "stable". It was released on August of 2000, and includes all the major libre software packages available at that time. Only in its main distribution, composed only of free software (according to the Debian Free Software Guidelines), there are more than 2,600 source packages. The whole release includes almost 4,000 binary packages, which the user can install easily from various media or from Internet servers.
Debian 2.2 is split in two archives: the "regular" one, and the non-US archive. In non-US are archived those packages which have some legal impediment to be exported from the United States of America (usually the the US legislation on strong cryptography).
Each archive is composed of several so called "distributions": main, contrib and non-free.
For the work referenced in this paper we have considered only the main distribution of the "regular" archive. It is the largest (by far) fraction of the archive, is only composed of free software, and has no export restrictions. In many respects, it is the largest coordinated collection of free software available in the Internet.