question about debian image cd torrents
 

Greetings,

Well i'm planning to install Debian (and most definitly the latest stable version)
I just wanted to make sure that I'm downloading the right thing (i'm using ktorrent btw) since I'm seeing 14 iso's , so that made a lil bit anxious!

this is it:
[HTML]http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/3.1_r5/i386/bt-cd/[/HTML]
as you can see there are 14 iso images plus 5 others which I'm not sure what they are about , do I have to get 'em all?

and thanks

P.S I'm starting to believe that SuSe isn't up for the job really , but that's another story! lol

If you have a fast internet connection, you might want to consider using the net install CD. It is less then 200 MB and will install a base system, then you can add just the packages you want.

The latest stable (sarge) is somewhat outdated by most standards. You might want to look into installing testing (etch), which is already quite stable and will be the next official "stable" release fairly soon.

Alright ! if you say sarge is outdated (despite that it has been only out there since Ferbruary 2007) then I'll considerd it that way , btw I've just stopped all torrents for sarge!

OH , so in order to get Debian working I just need to download the net install image and then get the rest of packages online?!

but actually is the KDE or Gnome Desktop considerd a package that one can later install or is it a fixed kernel thing that must installed right from the start.
another thing is when I download the netinst image shall we say for "etch" which is about 150 MB , would this be a pure kernel install with a text mode user interface or would it come with a full desktop (browser , email client etc)?
and one last thing , what is this business card and that "Xfce" image?

and thanks

KDE and Gnome can be installed later.

XFCE is an alternative to KDE and Gnome, its considered lighter than the others.

The netinst image will only contain a kernel and the most basic stuff to lead you to a text based login, however it can download extra packages during the installation, for example if you want a Gnome GUI with a browser and such select Desktop Environment when it asks you (for kde select nothing then install it from the command line)

So it's the way I thought it was

OK thanks guys for the enlightment!;)

My Intro for Debian Newbies essay. There may be some helpful clarifications there.

Good news , I've made a pre-order for Debian etch (3 DVD's plus a special debian cover) , should be here in 24 hours or so :)

I also got the three DVD's, but I'm on a dial up connection, net install is the best way to go with the "testing" distribution Etch, because the packages are always being upgraded. When I install new software, 50% of the time it gets downloaded from the mirrors rather than installed off the DVD's. I also recommend what was mentioned in this thread before, which is to do a "base" minimal install, which is what I did with the DVD's using the tips in the link below. Using the default packages during installation loads an OS system with allot of junk you won't use. I rant and rave about my super performer Etch because it does not have all the extra weight to carry like my other "default" installed OS's. And I just install what I need when I need, which is a tactic I learned back in the "Windows" era that kept my Windows systems performing. I have it all in Fedora, and I also have allot more headaches as a result, not to mention lengthy updating spells updating packages I don't use. When you're on dial-up, you get to see the benefits of a minimal installation.

Follow this thread poster's advice on doing a base installation, and install KDE instead of the default Gnome if you want, and you'll have a GUI in just a few minutes, and speed you never seen before. Just don't take his advice on the "apt-get remove xprint xdm –-purge (press enter)" part as was tested by a moderator later in the thread. Then as you find you're missing something you used to use in other Linux installations, just open synaptic and install it. "CUT THE FAT".

http://debcentral.org/modules/newbb/..._id=97&forum=8