Re: Init freedom?
> Debian can run with any init system, including systemd.
To my best knowledge there is no option to install sans systemd. Yes, there is that kludge (I used it) to remove systemd. This breaks stuff, such as gnome.
More things will depend on systemd in the future under Debian, and I cannot find _any_ commitment that Debian is even supported w/o systemd (pointers are welcome).
Hence I thank Debian for all their good work so far and move on.