Since Debian isn't really supported by most hardware vendors, it makes it difficult to install the distribution when the kernel on the installation media doesn't support, say, a RAID controller or the IDE chipset... things of that nature. However, hardware vendors over the years are starting to embrace and support some of the other major distributions such as Red Hat, SuSE, and others.
What method does Debian have for someone to load a 3rd party module, besides going to another VT and manually doing it? Would it be too much to request that the Debian installer be adjusted to accept 3rd party driver disks designed for other major distributions? For example, lets say I have a new motherboard with a chipset that isn't supported by the current Linux kernel on the Debian installation media. I go to said manufacturers web site and they have downloads for Red Hat and SuSE. I download either of the two, pop in the <cough>floppy disk</cough>, and Debian is able to determine whether it's designed for distribution X and loads the module. That, in itself, would be the next best thing since the "alien" package. :-) Best regards, Ken Teague -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
