I'm going to be visiting relatives scattered around the country in a few weeks. Some have dial-up internet connections. I want to set them up Linux systems to start them on the right road. What I have in mind is the base system, and the 'package' I get by selecting Desktop during the net-install of Debian. I want to be able to use cds if necessary.

Questions:

1. Can I even get Sarge .iso images?

2. I assume that the base system would be on the 1st cd of an iso collection. Which CD(s) in the collection would include the Desktop Package?

You can assemble recent "sarge" CD images using jigdo. It is very easy if you are running Debian already and connected to a fast internet connection: http://www.debian.org/CD/jigdo-cd/

I am not sure how many of the CD's you need to get all the desktop packages. Probably the first 3 or 4 CD's or the first DVD would suffice for installing a complete system.

I want to revive this thread one time to see if anyone has a more specific answer to which Sarge .iso(s) contain the desktop 'package'. I'm pretty sure it's probably contained entirely on 1 or two cds since it seems to be a specific project. I just haven't been able to discover which one(s).

I have a feeling it would be on 1, but I don't know for certain. the installers the same, so I woudl bring 1 2 and 3, just to be sure you have everything(or at least everything for the desktop)