Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Debian
     
         /deb'ee`n/, *not* /deeb'ee`n/ The
        non-profit volunteer organisation responsible for Debian
        {GNU}/{Linux} and Debian {GNU}/{Hurd}.  Debian's {Linux}
        distribution is dedicated to free and {open source} software;
        the main goal of the distribution is to ensure that one can
        download and install a fully-functional {operating system}
        that is completely adherent to the Debian Free Software
        Guidelines (DFSG).
     
        Debian was begun in August 1993 by Ian Murdock, and was
        sponsored by the {Free Software Foundation} from November 1994
        to November 1995.  The name Debian is a contraction of DEB(ra)
        and IAN Murdock.
     
        Debian's packaging system (dpkg) is similar to other popular
        packaging systems like {RPM}.  There are over 2200 packages of
        precompiled software available in the main (free) section of
        the Debian 2.1 distribution alone -- this is what sets Debian
        apart from many other Linux distributions.  The high quality
        and huge number of official packages (most Debian systems'
        /usr/local/ remains empty -- almost everything most Linux
        users want is officially packaged) are what draw many people
        to use Debian.
     
        Another unique aspect to the Debian project is the open
        development; pre-releases are made available from Day 1 and if
        anyone wishes to become a Debian developer, all that is needed
        is proof of identification and a signed {PGP} or {GPG} key.
        There are over 400 Debian developers all around the world --
        many developers have never met face-to-face, and most
        development talks take place on the many {mailing lists} and
        the {IRC} network.
     
        {Home (http://www.debian.org/)}.
     
        {Debian Linux archives (ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian)}.
     
        (1999-02-23)