+family=$1
+dist=$2
+
+# basic settings
+cowbuilderroot="/home/neurodebian"
+buildplace="${cowbuilderroot}/build"
+
+# all cuurently supported dists
+alldists="nd+debian-lenny nd+debian-squeeze nd+debian-sid \
+ nd+ubuntu-maverick nd+ubuntu-lucid nd+ubuntu-karmic nd+ubuntu-jaunty"
+
+# default is debian
+aptcache="${cowbuilderroot}/debian_aptcache"
+components="main contrib non-free"
+mirror="http://debian.lcs.mit.edu/debian"
+
+# overwrite necessary bits for ubuntu
+if [ "${family#nd+}" = "ubuntu" ]; then
+ aptcache="${cowbuilderroot}/ubuntu_aptcache"
+ components="main universe"
+ mirror="http://ubuntu.media.mit.edu/ubuntu"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d $aptcache ]; then mkdir $aptcache; fi