X-Git-Url: https://git.donarmstrong.com/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=sphinx%2Ffaq.rst;h=67a44129f9651af331b93e6faa91c5abf5731d0a;hb=HEAD;hp=956de0ea133552ffe6fb4c70db2bdf95165e401d;hpb=8306f96ed317aff24f316e991f6ba16cc0a14a6d;p=neurodebian.git diff --git a/sphinx/faq.rst b/sphinx/faq.rst index 956de0e..67a4412 100644 --- a/sphinx/faq.rst +++ b/sphinx/faq.rst @@ -8,158 +8,169 @@ Frequently Asked Questions ************************** -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 `_. 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 - `_ 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 `). - - 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? ----------------------------------------------------------------- - - In short: When it is ready. The longer answer is that there is nothing - special to packages in NeuroDebian in comparison to packages conducted - elsewhere. Packaging efforts are announced to Debian via ITPs_ and the - packaging itself is available in some version control system -- typically in - the Git repositories of the `pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server`_, or - another VCS, or on http://mentors.debian.net. - - The only difference is that a particular package becomes available through the - NeuroDebian repository before it has passed all checks for compliance with - Debian's standards. But even after a package becomes part of Debian the - NeuroDebian repository continues to provide binary packages of new versions - for a certain set of Debian and Ubuntu releases (aka backports). - -.. _ITPs: http://www.debian.org/devel/wnpp -.. _pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server: http://alioth.debian.org/projects/pkg-exppsy/ - - -Debian, Debian, Debian -- What about Ubuntu? --------------------------------------------- - - NeuroDebian offers backported binary packages for recent Ubuntu releases - whenever possible. However, since Ubuntu (like many other derivatives) uses - Debian as its foundation, it is more efficient to spend time maintaining - packages in Debian, instead of having to directly contribute to countless - child-distributions. After the appearance of new packages in Debian, Ubuntu - typically synchronizes them quickly and they become available in the *Ubuntu - universe* -- a repository of Debian packages rebuilt for a particular Ubuntu - release. We are not constantly rebuilding of all available NeuroDebian - packages for new Ubuntu releases. Therefore, you might find some packages - temporarily being available for older Ubuntu releases only -- until the point - when a new package version is made and gets built for all currently supported - releases. - - -How to create a mirror of the repository? ------------------------------------------ - - The NeuroDebian repository can be mirrored with rsync. If you are interested - in sponsoring storage space and bandwidth for another mirror, please - `contact us `_. - - -How do I get a new neuroscience-related FOSS into (Neuro)Debian? ----------------------------------------------------------------- - -The goal of NeuroDebian is to package neuroscience software for Debian. Hence -getting software into NeuroDebian means trying to get it into Debian. There are -at least two possibilities to achieve that: - -* You can approach packaging it yourself. Start by filing an ITP_ (Intent to - package) bugreport) and `ask us `_ to mentor your - upload to Debian_, if you are not a Debian developer. - -* `Contact us `_ -- but then it might take a little - longer, depending on our current workload and interest in a particular - software. - +.. raw:: html -I have heard that some packages are non-free. Will you charge me for them? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- +
Click on an item to expand it
+ +.. container:: foldup - No. The term :term:`non-free` refers to an archive section. NeuroDebian uses - exactly the same :ref:`archive sections as Debian proper - `. The *non-free* - section contains packages that have certain restrictions regarding **your - freedom** to employ them for a particular purpose. In contrast, for packages - in the *main* section your are completely free to do whatever and in whatever - context you like. Regardless of the actual license or archive section, all - packages in NeuroDebian are provided free of charge and under the licensing - terms of the original developers. + 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 `_. To conveniently deploy PyMVPA for + anyone using Debian-derived distributions this package repository was created + initially. Besides the PyMVPA_ project |we| collaborate with the `NiPy team + `_ on various projects, such as NiBabel_ and + NiPype_. Quickly NeuroDebian_ became the ultimate integrated environment for + all these projects -- and we are constantly working on enriching this + environment with as many additional relevant software as possible. -.. _sec_pkg_authentication: -What means "The following signatures couldn't be verified..."? --------------------------------------------------------------- + Debian, Debian, Debian -- What about Ubuntu? + NeuroDebian offers backported binary packages for recent Ubuntu releases + whenever possible. However, since Ubuntu (like many other derivatives) uses + Debian as its foundation, it is more efficient to spend time maintaining + packages in Debian, instead of having to directly contribute to countless + child-distributions. After the appearance of new packages in Debian, Ubuntu + typically synchronizes them quickly and they become available in the *Ubuntu + universe* -- a repository of Debian packages rebuilt for a particular Ubuntu + release. We are not constantly rebuilding of all available NeuroDebian + packages for new Ubuntu releases. Therefore, you might find some packages + temporarily being available for older Ubuntu releases only -- until the point + when a new package version is made and gets built for all currently supported + releases. + + + How do I get a new neuroscience-related FOSS into (Neuro)Debian? + The goal of NeuroDebian is to package neuroscience software for Debian. Hence + getting software into NeuroDebian means trying to get it into Debian. There are + at least two possibilities to achieve that: + + * You can approach packaging it yourself. Start by filing an ITP_ (Intent to + Package) bugreport and, if you are not a Debian developer, `ask us + `_ to mentor your upload to Debian_. + + * `Contact us `_ and we'll do the work for you, but + then it might take a little longer, depending on our current workload and + interest in a particular software. -When you start using this repository, you probably get warning messages -like this:: - The following signatures couldn't be verified because - the public key is not available. + I have heard that some packages are non-free. Will you charge me for them? + No. The term :term:`non-free` refers to an archive section. NeuroDebian uses + exactly the same `archive sections as Debian proper + `_. The *non-free* + section contains packages that have certain restrictions regarding **your + freedom** to employ them for a particular purpose. In contrast, for packages + in the *main* section your are completely free to do whatever and in whatever + context you like. Regardless of the actual license or archive section, all + packages in NeuroDebian are provided free of charge and under the licensing + terms of the original developers. -Or you will be asked questions like this over and over:: - WARNING: The following packages cannot be authenticated! - ... - Install these packages without verification [y/N]? + When does a package migrate from NeuroDebian into Debian proper? + In short: When it is ready. The longer answer is that there is nothing + special to packages in NeuroDebian in comparison to packages conducted + elsewhere. Packaging efforts are announced to Debian via ITPs_ and the + packaging itself is available in some version control system -- typically in + the Git repositories of the `pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server`_, or + another VCS, or on http://mentors.debian.net. -This is because your APT installation initially does not know the GPG -key that is used to sign the release files of this repository. It is easy to -make APT happy again. The simplest way is to install the ``neurodebian-keyring`` -package that is available from the NeuroDebian repository. Alternatively: + The only difference is that a particular package becomes available through the + NeuroDebian repository before it has passed all checks for compliance with + Debian's standards. But even after a package becomes part of Debian, the + NeuroDebian repository continues to provide binary packages of new versions + for a recent set of Debian and Ubuntu releases (aka backports). -1. Get the key. Either download the `repository key from here - <_static/neuro.debian.net.asc>`_ - or fetch it from http://wwwkeys.pgp.net (2649A5A9). + .. _pkg-exppsy group on Debian's Alioth server: http://alioth.debian.org/projects/pkg-exppsy/ -2. Now feed the key into APT by invoking:: - apt-key add #file# + How to create a mirror of the repository? + The NeuroDebian repository can be mirrored with rsync. If you are interested + in sponsoring storage space and bandwidth for another mirror, please + `contact us `_. - Where `#file#` has to be replaced with the location of the key file you just - downloaded. You need to have superuser-privileges to do this (either do it - as root or use sudo). + + .. _sec_pkg_authentication: + + What means "The following signatures couldn't be verified..."? + When you start using this repository, you probably get warning messages + like this:: + + The following signatures couldn't be verified because + the public key is not available. + + Or you will be asked questions like this over and over:: + + WARNING: The following packages cannot be authenticated! + ... + Install these packages without verification [y/N]? + + This is because your APT installation initially does not know the GPG + key that is used to sign the release files of this repository. It is easy to + make APT happy again. The simplest way is to install the ``neurodebian-archive-keyring`` + package that is available from the NeuroDebian repository. Alternatively: + + 1. Get the key. Either download the `repository key from here + <_static/neuro.debian.net.asc>`_ + or fetch it from http://wwwkeys.pgp.net (0xA5D32F012649A5A9). + + 2. Now feed the key into APT by invoking:: + + apt-key add #file# + + Where `#file#` has to be replaced with the location of the key file you just + downloaded. You need to have superuser-privileges to do this (either do it + as root or use sudo). + + + Why is NeuroDebian not a Pure Blend? + This is in the works, but... + + 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 `). + + 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 in 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 + + + I want to help. How do I get involved? + We always need people to help maintaining existing packages. If you need + some additional software packaged and you want to try it on your own, we would + be happy to mentor you. We also have a :ref:`list of ongoing and planned + projects `, each listing a number of tasks that need to be done. + + If you found something you are interested in, please email the + neurodebian-devel_ mailing list and let us know about it. Thanks! + + + How can I cite NeuroDebian? + Please cite the following paper: + + Halchenko, Y. O. & Hanke, M. (2012). `Open is not enough. Let’s take the + next step: An integrated, community-driven computing platform for neuroscience + `_. + *Frontiers in Neuroinformatics*, 6:22. .. include:: link_names.txt