Unofficial Debian Monthly Testing Snapshot Release (version 2011.03 final)

To: debian-devel@lists.debian.org

Subject: Unofficial Debian Monthly Testing Snapshot Release (version 2011.03 final)

From: Michael Gilbert <michael.s.gilbert@gmail.com>

Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 18:06:27 -0500

Message-id: <[🔎] 20110306180627.f8229658.michael.s.gilbert@gmail.com>

Hi all, I am pleased to announce the very first unofficial Debian monthly testing snapshot release (version 2011.03). It is currently available in two flavors as mini iso images (for i386 and amd64 at 16 MiB each) downloadable from: http://alioth.debian.org/~gilbert-guest/snapshots/2011.03/debian-testing-snapshot-2011.03-i386-mini.iso http://alioth.debian.org/~gilbert-guest/snapshots/2011.03/debian-testing-snapshot-2011.03-amd64-mini.iso These files can be written to CD or DVD media or directly to a USB stick. Instructions for USB installation can be found here: http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/i386/ch04s03.html.en IMPORTANT: There will be no inherent security support for these snapshot releases. The images do automatically set up testing-security as an apt source during installation, so any DTSA's (Debian Testing Security Advisories) will be automatically applied to snapshot installations. However, the security team does not issue many updates this way anymore (optioning instead to primarily use unstable uploads as a means to fix testing). This is an area that could potentially be improved if there are volunteers interested in this problem. For more information on current testing security processes, see: http://svn.debian.org/wsvn/secure-testing/doc/narrative_introduction Ideally for those wishing to have a mostly security supported system, the snapshot media will simply be a reliable stepping stone for installation followed by an upgrade to testing proper, which does receive quasi-official support from the security team (i.e. uploads to unstable that transition to testing). Note that this is an unofficial project since it does not come with the backing or support from Debian as a team, but hopefully that will change in the future as the concept is proven out. This message is being limited only to the debian-devel list to (hopefully) keep the load on existing resources small for now, and to determine whether a more robust hosting solution will be necessary for future releases. This also provides a chance for feedback and contributions from the devel community before attempting to target a wider audience. Please keep in mind that this is an unofficial test/development release before spreading the word too much. Anyway, enjoy! And send feedback to cut-team@lists.alioth.debian.org. Best wishes,