So many files for download but don't know wich one to pick
Index of /debian-cd/torrents

Icon Name Last modified Size [DIR] Parent Directory -
[DIR] 3.0_r5/ 19-Apr-2005 08:24 - <---- r5=release 5??? WTF... Does this mean is current?
[DIR] current/ 19-Apr-2005 08:24 - <---- But wait this says current???? WTF!!!!

Which one I pick if both look current. Why not write comments for noobs like me.

Then I click on i386 and I get this:

Index of /debian-cd/torrents/3.0_r5/i386

Icon Name Last modified Size [DIR] Parent Directory -
[ ] MD5SUMS 19-Apr-2005 08:29 884
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-1.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:13 23K <--- What is the differece between this?
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-1_NONUS.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K <--- and this? One says NONUS and the other don'tWTF? (no explanation)
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-2.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-3.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-4.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-5.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-6.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:14 25K
[ ] debian-30r5-i386-binary-7.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:15 28K
[ ] debian-update-3.0r5-i386-1.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:15 25K <---Update? Why they have updates listed separetly?
[ ] debian-update-3.0r5-i386-2.iso.torrent 19-Apr-2005 08:15 18K <----Again WTF is this

No explanation...
They try to make Debian user friendly to atract new people to Linux but how the hell they going to acomplish this if noobs like me get stuck in the download section?. Do you think we want to waste time reading manuals for something so stupid like this. I don't mind reading manuals but not for some dumb shit like this. It should be simple like download this and this (with comments underneith or some kind, guide text or something that explain specificly wtf I'm downloading... but right there next to the link and not somewere else in the website or manuals.) Fix it and let me know... then I'll try Debian


Part II (Update)

My point is that I shouldn't have to read a #$@% manual to know what am I suppose to download. Manuals are good indeed.... but not for something that is supposed to be so simple like this... This just drives noobs away. It should be simple ....period. You want Debian, Click here and that's it. It should have some explanation comment next to it. I shouldn't have to visit some other website faq or read a manual when I simply want to download the stable version. Insted they throw all these different files together and get noobs like me all mixed up. My apologies to everyone for cursing so much. I was very upset last night. I really want to learn about Linux and Debian but I'm sick and tire of all these website using all this geek talk and wording like we all know what the @#$% they talking about. Geek talk and all that complex wording should be for the more advance section of a website dedicated to advance user and not for the main Debian page. Complications should come after installation.... after people get to see and play with Debian for a while... In other words: When they try to do advance stuff with the software, getting the installation files and installing Debian shouldn't be an advance/complex task. But why? Why ? Why? and Why? Getting the installation files have to be so hardcore nerdy??? Simple = attracts more people (The reason why Windows is so popular "I hate to say this")

PS: I'm also a NERD,GEEK,WHATEVER IS CALL THIS DAYS... By nature I am... but I don't want to be force to be one when I don't want to (ie. Reading manuals to know which files to download) Is just stupid.



Part III

I have no problem what so ever reading manuals, my bitching comes from the files just thrown out there all mixed up un-organize at Debian's download website. How about explaining which files does what on the same page is display for download rather than just plain filenames. I have nothing against Debian but against the SLOPPY debian.org site webmaster.

If someone wants me to try something for free they have to first explain what it is, what it does and where to get it. They aren't just going to throw it on a big box mixed with other stuff and say: "Read a manual to find it" I would just walk away, Why? Because it makes no sence. Reading a manual for installation that I don't mind... it just bothers me the fact that they dont guide you to the process of getting the right files.

This is the reason why Linux is not as popular as it could be, the download pages should be made welcoming to new user (noobs like me) but insted they are created for already experience users which makes no sence because the idea should be to get new comers to the Linux world.


Here is another example of a big cluster.
http://torrents.gentoo.org/

Part IV Lost Hope (Someone saw this coming before I posted part IV) lol

I got lots of answers from Debian fan boys.... I don't hate Debian (for the last time) but just the webmaster@debian.org. And YES, I contacted the Debian Webmaster before coming over here starting my bitching. Why didn't I posted at the Debian Forum .....that's easy because all I found was a really cheap looking forum that I doubt people read. So I knew I was going to get lots more attention here since this forum is popular and maybe I would get the attention from some of the actual Debian developers here.

Cheers all and thanks for all the hate. Only a few brave admited that the downloading section @ Debian.org really sucks.

This is an example of how it should be. (See is posible!!! Looks elegant and professional)
http://fedora.redhat.com/download/#download

and this http://torrent.linux.duke.edu/

Sorry you have so many probs.........your not the only
one tho, this post also shows that Debian is not really user friendly..........

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=320923

Hi,
Perhaps you should live up to your pseudo and try to give it a little more thinking instead of being rude
about something you don't understand yet..
Debian is perhaps not exactly what you would need at the moment. Yes, it is not particularly user-friendly.
Just a bit of advice : as you seem to think there are too many options to choose from, why don't you visit
a site like http://linuxiso.org . There you'll see it is much more "friendly".. Or you can download here, at LQ

Anyway, good luck with it.

My comments are as follows;

1. It is necessary to use such atrocious language while posting?

2. Debian is not trying to recruit anyone.

3. The NONUS downloads apply to people living outside the USA because of USA law on export of certain "strategic" software.

4. Given your reaction at the point of entry I don't think Debian is for you.

5. Debian is a pure, non-commercial Linux package and the documentation is not that clear for anyone new to the scene as it is written by experienced users who assume (perhaps wrongly) that the user has some 'nix background.

6. Debian is one of the most widely used distros in the Linux world if the distros based on Debian are included.

7. Perhaps you might consider one of the Debian based distros like Ubuntu.

8. You may return later when you have some background in Linux and have suffered at the hands of dependency hell.

Well, I just got back from LCA, and a good number of the Linux "heavies" were there.
Damn near all of them used Deb.

Ah well, I never was one to run with the herd (oops, that sounds a bit dodgy - better make that "mob").

In all fairness, I too find the Debian website poorly designed and difficult to navigate -- especially the section that explains how to download the installation media. There are so many alternative methods and different architectures (and languages and documentation formats and whatnot) to choose from that a newbie is bound to get confused. IMO, the design of the Debian website resembles very much the old Woody installer -- very flexible and powerful for the knowledgeable user but definitely not easy for newcomers.

But writing angry posts after getting confused has rarely helped anyone. braveerudite should have calmly explained the difficulties he/she has experienced and kindly asked for assistance. I would have pointed braveerudite to the new Debian Sarge installer http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/ and advised to try out the links under the section "Documentation" in order to get further information about the installation procedure.

TigerOC's advice is also very good -- there are several Debian based distros that are easier to install and configure than Debian. An absolute beginner might enjoy Kanotix, SimplyMepis, or Ubuntu more than Debian proper. And after getting some experience in using a Debian based GNU/Linux distro, the installation and configuration of Debian will appear much easier.

It seems that many of the problems new users are having stem from trying to install Woody. Hardware support is a problem, ease of installation is a problem, upgrading or installing new packages from outside Deabian often results in problems, etc. Woody should have been retired a year ago, and the Debian web site should acknowledge the fact that new installations should be based on Sarge and direct people to the Sarge installer. The Sarge installer page that DeadParrot linked above is the first place I would send anyone new to Debain to get it installed. Hopefully, when Sarge is released with the new manual it will help clear things up.

Dear "braveerudite",
How old are you?
I hope you are very young.
If you are not young then you have to think about yourself.

If somebody respect linux then he/she respect debian distribution too.

If you can't understand debian you have to stop your opinion in this phrase : I don't understand debian.
Because If you don't understand Denian you can't have opinion about Debian.

Debian is my favorite distro and I'm proud that I belong to this community of users.
Even the testing version is more stable than other famous distros.

We have to be carefull when we talk for a distro that his level of developing shows the maturity of the linux generally.

Sorry about my english

Hello. from north greece !!!!

My point is that I shouldn't have to read a #$@% manual to know what am I suppose to download. Manuals are good indeed.... but not for something that is supposed to be so simple like this... This just drives noobs away. It should be simple ....period. You want Debian, Click here and that's it. It should have some explanation comment next to it. I shouldn't have to visit some other website faq or read a manual when I simply want to download the stable version. Insted they throw all these different files together and get noobs like me all mixed up. My apologies to everyone for cursing so much. I was very upset last night. I really want to learn about Linux and Debian but I'm sick and tire of all these website using all this geek talk and wording like we all know what the @#$% they talking about. Geek talk and all that complex wording should be for the more advance section of a website dedicated to advance user and not for the main Debian page. Complications should come after installation.... after people get to see and play with Debian for a while... In other words: When they try to do advance stuff with the software, getting the installation files and installing Debian shouldn't be an advance/complex task. But why? Why ? Why? and Why? Getting the installation files have to be so hardcore nerdy??? Simple = attracts more people (The reason why Windows is so popular "I hate to say this")

PS: I'm also a NERD,GEEK,WHATEVER IS CALL THIS DAYS... By nature I am... but I don't want to be force to be one when I don't want to (ie. Reading manuals to know which files to download) Is just stupid.

Then it will take you a long time to get Debian running ! Unfortunately, if you don't want to read and learn

the only thing to do is to find someone who can visit you and install it on your PC. I wonder if you really

are what you pretend : a geek or whatever people call them, are known to like reading manuals. You pay

for Windows, it works for a time than you have to pay to sort out the mess created out of simple use. You

don't pay for Debian : what is asked from you is a little dedication and some politeness. You won't get people

help you here with such an attitude...

BTW you could try other sites like http://debianhelp.org

You want debian, click here: http://cdimage.debian.org/pub/cdimag...86-netinst.iso

Steps:

1. Burn CD from downloaded iso file.

2. Boot resulting CD

3. Keep hitting the "enter" key

The above will work for 90% of the people. The complexity comes from the fact that Debian tries to be a "universal" operating system.

I object to your language as there are lots of real youngsters on the board that want to learn Linux, not cursing.

1. Geeks read those fine manuals, btw and that is one reason I chose Linux over Microsoft. Every time I would search for a fix in Windows, I could find tons of info about Linux. Information is power, so if you don't wish to thoroughly prepare to install Linux, I suggest buying a computer with it already installed and configured for use.

2. You will still have to learn how to use and administer Linux, just as I attempeted to do with Windows. You want troubles installing something? Try installing Windows sometime.

3. Downloading isn't necessary, you can buy a Linux distro or cheap CDs.

Preparing to install Linux:
# Choosing a Linux Distribution:
Will your hardware work?
Do you have good RAM? Memtest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic
A Beginner's Guide to Choosing a Linux Distribution
Reasons to Choose or Not Choose Linux
LWN distro list
elinux Linux Distributions
# Freeware tools for partitioning/resizing hard drive partitions:
Any Linux Live CD usually have fdisk, cfdisk and other tools available
Ranish Partition Manager
# Understanding Linux Filesystem layout:
Directory Navigation Help File
Filesystems, Directories, and Devices Help File
Proper Filesystem Layout
Advanced filesystem implementor's guide (requires registration)

Do I buy a boxed source, download off the internet or buy some cheap CDs?
It's your choice! If you download, I suggest that you check the md5sums on the Linux ISO Images and make sure you know how to burn ISOs in Windows to install Linux
# Cheap CDs
Discount Linux CDs
Linux Central
Cheapbytes
TuxCDs
ComputerHelperGuy
CheapISO
Os Heaven

I have no problem what so ever reading manuals, my bitching comes from the files just thrown out there all mixed up un-organize at Debian's download website. How about explaining which files does what on the same page is display for download rather than just plain filenames. I have nothing against Debian but against the SLOPPY debian.org site webmaster.

If someone wants me to try something for free they have to first explain what it is, what it does and where to get it. They aren't just going to throw it on a big box mixed with other stuff and say: "Read a manual to find it" I would just walk away, Why? Because it makes no sence. Reading a manual for installation that I don't mind... it just bothers me the fact that they dont guide you to the process of getting the right files.

This is the reason why Linux is not as popular as it could be, the download pages should be made welcoming to new user (noobs like me) but insted they are created for already experience users which makes no sence because the idea should be to get new comers to the Linux world.


Here is another example of a big cluster fuck.
http://torrents.gentoo.org/

Hi,
I am not quite sure the idea is to "get new comers to the Linux world."
Anyway, this is all rather tiring, I don't think Debian users and those who
created such a great distro care much about would-be users not considerate
enough to ask things politely instead of complaining.
I am on the opposite quite sure they organized the site to enable many people
(people not native English-speakers, like me) to be able to find info in their own
language. Think about debian as International, not catering for everybody, only
those who are willing to learn Debian ways and don't pretend they can impose their
own as the best around.
As someone said before you must be quite young and eager to have things working
like a baby...

Is just stupid throwing files out there un-organize and is even more dumb to have to read a manual to know which one is the right one. "Tell me where to click and I will, is what I say to Debian..." Dumb, dumb, dumb