I bet this is an easy answer for you guys...which one of these do I download to install onto my system for Gentoo Linux 64bit:

LiveCD
Packages
or
stages.

I know the LiveCD is a boot only CD to run linux from a CD. I thought the packages one was to install it on my system, but i am not sure, and what does stages mean? thx for helping a noob!!!

Hey,

Gentoo is a lot trickier to install than most distros. Unfortunately it isn't as simple as 'which Disc do I pop in?' Chances are you will need both the stages and packages CDs. As it has been a long time since I have tried Gentoo, I can't remember exactly what you will need to do. I do remember, though, the source that was invaluable for me as a Gentoo newbie:

The Gentoo Handbook provides all the steps you will need to follow in order to get Gentoo up and running on your system. Read through the Handbook completely (you will probably want to print the most relevant parts off to have with you while you install). Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time (on the order of days) as most things need to compile.

Good luck in your excursion.

thx. I think i will start out with the LiveCD on gentoo. It is also 64bit compatible and won't need to be installed. Also, I ad downloading the Fedora Core 2 64bit. I was told ti is good for 64bit. Hopefully beginers too. Also, does anyone know any good software for video editing, dvd ripping (movie backups only!!), mp3 making (i ahve an ipod or i would use OGG format) and stuff?

Also try Mandrake 10 64-bit edition. mandrake is probably the king of easy linux distros

so there is a free 64bit of mandrake. I couldn't find one. Probably cause I was looking at 10.1. i have used mandrake before, and I do like it.

The gentoo live cd is a install cd,make sure you print out the handbook and read it online a few times before you start.

cool...thx. man, that is the only one that downloaded today. The rest had time out errors. I have had the biggest problem downloading them. The servers keep kicking me off!!! I mean, its over a gig of data to download, they should expect people to be on them for a while.