I don`t get it, I am thinking about installing Debian in a machine, so I accessed Debian web page, and there I chose to download the cd version. But is says that have 5 cds, and in the first page of the web site it also says that Debian comes with 18 thousands packages...

I remember that a couple years ago I tried to install Debian in a machine, and in the installation it showed me every single package with an explanation of the package and asking me if I wanted to install it, so after 30 or 40 packages I gave up, because is to much reading.

I have to download all 5 cds to install it??

Thanks,
Bruno Krebs.

Ubuntu is Debian based and comes in the form of 1CD. You can then download extra packages later on. Ubuntu Gutsy is now in BETA release so if you plan on doing a clean install, I'd suggest having a crack with that....

Just get the netinstall and choose the desktop installation. Or get the KDE/XFCE if you want a specific desktop all of which are 1 CD install.

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/we...s/i386/iso-cd/

Oh sorry, I forgot to tell my purpose. I want to install a Debian server in an old machine... I am going to do that to learn about Linux and servers, so I don`t want a user friendly installation or environment like Ubunutu.

Actually I am writing this post right now from Ubuntu in my laptop. And I will buy an old machine to install Debian, like I said, to learn...

So the question remains:
I need all the 5 cds??

Thanks.
Bruno

As craigevil said, use the network install. You can customise it and download/install only the components that you actually need.

Haha. Sorry. Didn't know. But no you don't need the 5 cd's. Do the network install from a minimal CD http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/