So I'm reading this webpage: (which I can't post a URL to, sorry, but it's something like this) www debian org / CD / jigdo-cd and here's what is says:

* Booting/installing is currently not possible with "testing"/"unstable" CDs - only use for upgrades from stable.

Does this mean that it's a bad idea to download "testing" CDs with jigdo for doing an install?
Are these CDs unbootable for some reason?

Currently I have a RedHat box I want to change to Debian, but I don't have any Debian CDs, except for bf2.4-3.0.23-mini.iso. I've only got a 56k modem connection. I'm not too worried about download times for CDs, because I can do it after midnight, but I don't want to download a CD which doesn't work.

What's the best way to go? What do you think I should try to do?
[list=1][*]Download a "Woody" CD with jigdo?[*]Download a "testing" CD with jigdo?[*]Download a "Woody" CD ISO image?[*]"Download a "testing" CD ISO image?[*]Boot the bf2.4-3.0.23-mini.iso and do a net install?[/list=1]

With a net install of the bf2.4 ISO, what kernel version does it use? (Because I'm pretty sure my box won't boot with a kernel before 2.4.20) What packages are included in the "Stage 1" on the bf-ISO? How many megabytes of stuff has to be downloaded to get a useful system, assuming I wanted to use it as an internet gateway machine with IP masquerading, squid, wvdial, and ssh?

Thanks for any help.

My suggestion to install Debian sarge is to grab the progeny anaconda iso's:

http://platform.progeny.com/anaconda/

They have ported the Red Hat installer to Debian. It is still alpha software, but it works if you are careful to follow the instructions in the errata that point out limitations.

Other easy options are to use a Morphix or Knoppix live CD to get going, but then you have many things that are not official Debian. Of course, you can apt-get whatever you want afterwards.

I recently tried the second beta of the debian-installer for Sarge and it is still very difficult to use and has lots of bugs.

If you want to stick with everything officially Debian, I'd suggest installing Woody and upgrading afterwards. One of the above methods will be a lot faster though.

If you have the minimal install cd then use the bf24 option which will install the 2.4.18 kernel. Once you have installed the base system, which includes setting up ppp, you should alter your /etc/apt/sources.lst by replacing all references to stable with testing. Then do apt-get update and then apt-get dist-upgrade.