I don't have high speed internet and would prefer to have Gentoo Linux CD with all the libraries etc., etc., Can I download all this completely ? If yes, what are the ISO file names ?

Thanks.

Vijay

Here is another related question. Can the Gentoo Package CD be downloaded or is it only for Purchase ?

Thanks.

Vijay

To my knowledge you can't, but there is a switch to the package management system that makes it download all the packages at once, and then install them.

The gentoo packagecds can be downloaded freely from the releases/<architecture>/2004.2/packagecd/ directory of a gentoo mirror. They only provide common packages in the packagecd, though. If you want obscure packages, you still need to compile them. I don't think you save much downloading time by getting the packagecd, however. It's still a big download

In my opinion, if you don't have a broadband connection, gentoo is a horrible choice. While officially gentoo has some binaries too, don't expect anything great. Gentoo is a source distro. You will have to download alot even if you run stable (it's more like debians unstable). My downloaded source folder is 1.6 gb and I've used gentoo for 3 weeks now. The amount of binaries available is pathetic compared to Debian etc.

Thanks for this info. I don't have 1.6 GB of space. There is so much hype about Gentoo that it seems real tempting. Specially when they talk of a stage 3 install being easy.

Comments in this regard are welcome.

Vijay

If you plan to install from stage 3, you won't need quite so much space. The 1.6 GB mentioned was for downloaded source code. If you stuck to stage3 installation from CD, you could save a lot of space. If you plan to keep your system up to date, though, you will need to download a fair bit of stuff. You can always delete the source code periodically to save space, but the slow internet connection will be a problem.

I think gentoo is a terrific distro, but it sounds as if your configuration isn't really right for it. There's no harm in giving it a try, but I think you'll find the slow connection and lack of space problematic.

Thanks. This is very good to know. Perhaps it is best that I hold off on this for now. down the road if I happen to come across a better PC this is worth a shot. Besides, this will be just for hobbby.

Vijay

If you want Gentoo Linux on a CD (or DVD) with a lot of packages ready to install, then find a magazine which comes with a CD/DVD on the cover. For example Linux Format (http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/index.php) October issue (if I remeber correctly). I am a relative newcomer to Linux and managed to do a complete (Stage 1 ) installation, so it can't be that difficult to do. It does, however, take a long time - be prepared to leave you PC on overnight whilst it does things. It took me a weekend to install it, but I could do other things whilst I was waiting. I have NO Internet access on that machine.
I still have a couple of things to get working though, like my internal zip drive and my camera.

David

It also depends on what kind of a PC that you have. I have a 300 MHz with 4G HD, partitioned between Linux and Windows. Most space used.

Vijay

I also have a friend with a high speed internet who helps me with downloads from time to time. So, if I really needed it, he can possibly help me out here.

Vijay

I would appreciate if someone could give me the exact links to the Gentoo Main and Packaged CD ISOs at this mirror:
ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/unix/Linux/gentoo/

Not all directories seem to work and there are so many, I am afraid I may choose the wrong one and feel lost.

Also is 2004.2 the latest version ?

Thanks.

Vijay

ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/unix/L...sal-2004.2.iso

ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/unix/L...686-2004.2.iso
or (if you don't have >=i686)
ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/unix/L...x86-2004.2.iso

2004.2 is the latest release version. You can always go for an experimental version but that shouldn't be necessary. If you have trouble booting the CD in the first link, you have a non-compliant BIOS and you should use this CD instead:
ftp://sunsite.ualberta.ca/pub/unix/L...r1-minimal.iso

This seems to be a Live CD. Can this be booted off the CDROM without HD Install ?

Can this be installed to the HD ?

Thanks.

Vijay

The gentoo livecd contains the tools necessary to create a full gentoo installation. Basically, it consists of build tools and packages. There is no X and no desktop environment. So yes, you can boot off the CD without installing to your hard drive but there isn't much you can do from the environment you're left in.