I currently use Mandrake linux and I think I am ready to step up to the next level. I was wondering about Debian. What is the current version, 3.0 or 2.2? How easy is it to setup i.e., how good is it at setting up hardware, does it make a floppy boot disk (very important for me)? Once it's installed, how easy is it to configure? I like how in Mandrake there is a configuration utility. Is there stuff like that in Debian? I've been using Linux for about a year now and I love it! I'm not really a newbie anymore but I still have a lot to learn.

Or do you rely heavily on GUI tools?
Can you configure XF86Config by hand?
It's no big deal, I recommend finding the bf-2.4 floppies (4 or 5 of them) and start there.

I am pretty comfortable. I've never really had to edit the Xf86Config file by hand but I do know where it is and everything. What is the setup for Debian like?

It's usually done over the internet. It'll configure your eth0 and download lists of files from http://us.debian.org. Then you choose which packages to install (xfree, etc.) and off you go.
Do you have partitions set up already?
How do you connect to the internet?
Hang on, I'll try to find those floppies for you.

Try these out...

http://mirrors.kernel.org/debian/dis...es-1.44/bf2.4/

Make floppies with dd
Boot with rescue.bin

I've got to plug THIS!!!!

I think it's so much nicer than Debian, if you have new/fast hardware. Otherwise, go with Debian for sure.

It's been a long time since I've used the dd command. How do I create the disks?

man dd would be a good place to refresh your memory
dd if=<name of inputfile> of=<name of device>

well, 'man dd' helps.
; )

dd if=blah.bin of=/dev/fd0 bs=512 conv=sync

Well, I think I got it but the only problem is that the debian *.bin files are too big it seems. The error I get is that the dd program can't continue because no space is left. What am I supposed to do? I want to install Debian.

Nevermind, I'm an idiot.

try a distro based on debian

use google to search for one

Did you get it?????

I was ableto make the discs but I have no idea how to install it. I got through the driver install but when it time to in stall the base files, I didn't have any of the discs. I was under the impression that it installed over the internet.

You need to configure eth0 (or whatever) and add apt sources. Then for the "install method" choose http. (I think that's pretty close...it has been awhile...)
Write back!