-Why NeuroDebian?
-----------------
-
- In the course of our own research endeavors |we| have joined forces to
- develop `PyMVPA -- a Python framework for multivariate pattern analysis of
- neural data <http://www.pymvpa.org>`_. To conveniently deployment PyMVPA for
- anyone using Debian-derived distributions this package repository was created
- initially. Besides the PyMVPA_ project |we| collaborate with the `NiPy team
- <http://neuroimaging.scipy.org>`_ on various projects, such as NiBabel_ and
- NiPype_. Quickly NeuroDebian_ became the ultimate integrated environment for
- all these projects. We are now constantly working on enriching this
- environment with as many additional relevant software as possible.
-
-
-Why is NeuroDebian not a Pure Blend?
-------------------------------------
-
- Because there is no need for it to become one, as the existing Debian Pure
- Blends already offer the desired functionality *within* Debian. Similar to
- Pure Blends, NeuroDebian's goal is to provide software for neuroscientists
- using the Debian operating system, and therefore the ultimate goal is to get
- all relevant software **into Debian**.
-
- However, various reasons exist that prevent a particular software from
- entering Debian. Some are temporary, i.e. a package is already useable, but
- some technical bits do not meet Debian's standards (yet) or a licensing issue
- needs to be resolved first. For some software the licensing is so restrictive
- that it cannot be distributed by Debian, and hence cannot even go into its
- *non-free* branch. Unfortunately, sometimes these issues cannot be solved to
- a degree that is acceptable for Debian. For some other packages Debian itself
- is not ready yet, e.g. huge data packages with neuroscience data (:ref:`with
- sometimes over 1GB <pkg_fsl-first-data>`).
-
- NeuroDebian aims to be a platform that provides a staging area for
- neuroscience software packages on their way into Debian. All packages are
- properly registered with the relevant `Debian Pure Blends`_, e.g.
- `Debian Science Cognitive Neuroscience`_ or `Debian Med Imaging`_. Inside
- Debian these efforts already provide a suitable framework for this purpose,
- and hence there is no need to establish yet another one.
-
-.. _Debian Pure Blends: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianPureBlends
-.. _Debian Science Cognitive Neuroscience: http://blends.alioth.debian.org/science/tasks/neuroscience-cognitive
-.. _Debian Med Imaging: http://debian-med.alioth.debian.org/tasks/imaging
-
-
-When does a package migrate from NeuroDebian into Debian proper?
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