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5 # See COPYING file distributed along with the PyMVPA package for the
6 # copyright and license terms.
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13 **************************
14 Frequently Asked Questions
15 **************************
20 In the course of our own research endeavors |we| have joined forces to
21 develop `PyMVPA -- a Python framework for multivariate pattern analysis of
22 neural data <http://www.pymvpa.org>`_. To conveniently deployment PyMVPA for
23 anyone using Debian-derived distributions this package repository was created
24 initially. Besides the PyMVPA_ project |we| collaborate with the `NiPy team
25 <http://neuroimaging.scipy.org>`_ on various projects, such as NiBabel_ and
26 NiPype_. Quickly NeuroDebian_ became the ultimate integrated environment for
27 all these projects. We are now constantly working on enriching this
28 environment with as many additional relevant software as possible.
31 Why is NeuroDebian not a Pure Blend?
32 ------------------------------------
34 Because there is no need for it to become one, as the existing Debian Pure
35 Blends already offer the desired functionality *within* Debian. Similar to
36 Pure Blends, NeuroDebian's goal is to provide software for neuroscientists
37 using the Debian operating system, and therefore the ultimate goal is to get
38 all relevant software **into Debian**.
40 However, various reasons exist that prevent a particular software from
41 entering Debian. Some are temporary, i.e. a package is already useable, but
42 some technical bits do not meet Debian's standards (yet) or a licensing issue
43 needs to be resolved first. For some software the licensing is so restrictive
44 that it cannot be distributed by Debian, and hence cannot even go into its
45 *non-free* branch. Unfortunately, sometimes these issues cannot be solved to
46 a degree that is acceptable for Debian. For some other packages Debian itself
47 is not ready yet, e.g. huge data packages with neuroscience data (:ref:`with
48 sometimes over 1GB <pkg_fsl-first-data>`).
50 NeuroDebian aims to be a platform that provides a staging area for
51 neuroscience software packages on their way into Debian. All packages are
52 properly registered with the relevant `Debian Pure Blends`_, e.g.
53 `Debian Science Cognitive Neuroscience`_ or `Debian Med Imaging`_. Inside
54 Debian these efforts already provide a suitable framework for this purpose,
55 and hence there is no need to establish yet another one.
57 .. _Debian Pure Blends: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianPureBlends
58 .. _Debian Science Cognitive Neuroscience: http://blends.alioth.debian.org/science/tasks/neuroscience-cognitive
59 .. _Debian Med Imaging: http://debian-med.alioth.debian.org/tasks/imaging
62 When does a package migrate from NeuroDebian into Debian proper?
63 ----------------------------------------------------------------
65 In short: When it is ready. The longer answer is that there is nothing
66 special to packages in NeuroDebian in comparison to packages conducted
67 elsewhere. Packaging efforts are announced to Debian via ITPs_ and the
68 packaging itself is available in some version control system -- typically in
69 the Git repositories of the `pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server`_, or
70 another VCS, or on http://mentors.debian.net.
72 The only difference is that a particular package becomes available through the
73 NeuroDebian repository before it has passed all checks for compliance with
74 Debian's standards. But even after a package becomes part of Debian the
75 NeuroDebian repository continues to provide binary packages of new versions
76 for a certain set of Debian and Ubuntu releases (aka backports).
78 .. _ITPs: http://www.debian.org/devel/wnpp
79 .. _pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server: http://alioth.debian.org/projects/pkg-exppsy/
82 Debian, Debian, Debian -- What about Ubuntu?
83 --------------------------------------------
85 NeuroDebian offers backported binary packages for recent Ubuntu releases
86 whenever possible. However, since Ubuntu (like many other derivatives) uses
87 Debian as its foundation, it is more efficient to spend time maintaining
88 packages in Debian, instead of having to directly contribute to countless
89 child-distributions. After the appearance of new packages in Debian, Ubuntu
90 typically synchronizes them quickly and they become available in the *Ubuntu
91 universe* -- a repository of Debian packages rebuilt for a particular Ubuntu
92 release. We are not constantly rebuilding of all available NeuroDebian
93 packages for new Ubuntu releases. Therefore, you might find some packages
94 temporarily being available for older Ubuntu releases only -- until the point
95 when a new package version is made and gets built for all currently supported
99 How to create a mirror of the repository?
100 -----------------------------------------
102 The NeuroDebian repository can be mirrored with rsync. If you are interested
103 in sponsoring storage space and bandwidth for another mirror, please
104 `contact us <team@neuro.debian.net>`_.
107 How do I get a new neuroscience-related FOSS into (Neuro)Debian?
108 ----------------------------------------------------------------
110 * You can approach packaging it yourself (file an ITP_ (Intent to package)
111 bugreport) and `ask us <team@neuro.debian.net>`_ to mentor your upload to
112 Debian_ if you are not a Debian developer.
114 * `Contact us <team@neuro.debian.net>`_, but then it might take longer
115 depending on our workload and interest to the particular software.
118 I have heard that some packages are non-free. Will you charge me for them?
119 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
121 No. The term :term:`non-free` refers to an archive section. NeuroDebian uses
122 exactly the same :ref:`archive sections as Debian proper
123 <http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-archive.html>`. The *non-free*
124 section contains packages that have certain restrictions regarding **your
125 freedom** to employ them for a particular purpose. In contrast, for packages
126 in the *main* section your are completely free to do whatever and in whatever
127 context you like. Regardless of the actual license or archive section, all
128 packages in NeuroDebian are provided free of charge and under the licensing
129 terms of the original developers.
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133 .. include:: substitutions.rst