Linux for Government Use - Govnix

[djlyon]

Hi all,

We're looking to start a new Linux Distribution and are looking for helpers.

Our distro is going to be called GovNix, and we're thinking of basing it on Debian.

We want to follow the useability road set down by ubuntu, but we also have to have some security additions as required in government.

Overall though, it should be fun...

looking for helpers that can make it all happen ?

[Oxygen]

Just so this won't die straight off the bat, you're wanting to make a distro for a target audience that will requie MEGA stability and support if the screen flickers slightly.

I think you're taking on too much... like... tons too much.

[Farmer Mike]

Linux for Government Use

Which Government will this be for?

[Cabhan]

So basically, you intend to take Ubuntu and add some security features. Just what are you planning to add? I'm quite certain that any existing features are quite available for Ubuntu: why not just write a script that installs the necessary packages and does the configuration? Why not write a walkthrough on securing Ubuntu further?

What is your distribution going to contribute that is not already provided twentyfold by existing projects and distributions? Why should anyone use your distribution over any other secure Linux?

[djlyon]

We're based in Australia, but are having the thought that there might be more than one government interested.

None of the off-the shelf distros are govt ready (as our evaluation teams report)

The things that we're planning to add relate to security, reporting programs that are run, web-sites visited, keys-pressed. For employee monitoring etc. , Add support for Novell...

The things to take off the IM (Gaim).

Support, as identified is a big issue. With Government, the IT departments need training. So this is something to look at.

As for Mega stability, that is why we want to go Debian. Nothing is more stable as far as I am aware than that distro. Ubuntu forked debian. So we're considering doing the same.

Thanks for those responses guys

[Oxygen]

How many people are working on this? I mean the entire thing?

[djlyon]

Hi Oxygen,

At the moment, only a handful at a management level. Mainly some interested friends and some people within government here. It's fairly casual at this point in time.

Maybe thousands when you consider all the linux contributors that are inputing into the debian distribution level.

What I'm doing is mainly running around government here seeing what the interest is and it is looking quite positive at the moment.

We'd like to do it in the UK also as I'm sure there is plenty of scope there also. We'll see.

David