Debian计划是由以创造一份自由操作系统为共同目标的个人团体所组建的协会。这份操作系统就叫作Debian GNU/Linux，或者简称为Debian。Debian系统目前采用Linux内核。Linux则是一套完全免费的软件，它由Linus Torvalds创建，并得到了全世界成千上万位程序员的支持。当然，人们需要有应用软件来帮助他们达到各种目的，这包括编辑文档、进行业务交易、玩游戏以及编写更多的软件。Debian提供了20000多套软件，它们是已经编译好了的软件，并按一种出色的格式打成包，可以供你在机器上方便地安装。这一切都可以免费获得。这种结构有一点像城堡，它以系统内核为基础，之上是所有的基本工具，接下来是你可以在计算机上运行的所有软件，城堡的最顶层就是 Debian――精良的组织和装配使得这一切可以协同运作。

Alexander Reichle-Schmehl has announced the availability of the fifth revision of Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 "Etch", a security and critical bug-fix update of the project's current stable release: "The Debian project is pleased to announce the fifth update of its stable distribution Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 (code name 'Etch'). This update mainly adds corrections for security problems to the stable release, along with a few adjustments to serious problems. Please note that this update does not constitute a new version of Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 but only updates some of the packages included. There is no need to throw away 4.0 CDs or DVDs but only to update via an up-to-date Debian mirror after an installation, to cause any out of date packages to be updated. Upgrading to this revision online is usually done by pointing the Aptitude (or APT) package tool to one of Debian's many FTP or HTTP mirrors." Read the full release announcement for a detailed list of changes and upgrade instructions.