Is Debian Worth It?

[hater2win]

I am a complete Linux n00b. I installed Mandrake 10 for about 1 day before switching to Slackware (by suggestion of a friend) and I am having troubel connecting to the internet with slackware. So, as a complete n00b. I want to know, is the 7 CD debian download worth it? Or should I use a diff distro since I am just beginning with Linux?

[infiniphunk]

Do you have a fast internet connection? If so, give the netinstall a try, its better.

[madcompnerd]

No it's not. I always recommend people download the small installer without packages, and then download the packages. I'd recommend, you figure out your ethernet troubles first though.
Is this ethernet troubles, or modem?

[hater2win]

I don't know what the ethernet trouble is. My internet works fine on mandrake, it's slackware that is giving me problems.

[ehawk]

If you didn't have problems with Mandrake, why switch? It is a perfectly fine newbie distribution.

[timothykaine]

If youre scared to jump into Debian, but still want the options it offers, try Knoppix, MEPIS, or Ubuntu. That'll get you started in the Debian world with a little bit of handholding.

[rocketpcguy]

you should learn how to fix your internet in slackware. start a new thread for help

[tlyons]

Just download an install CD ISO for Debian Sarge, and download the rest by the net. If everything worked OK under Mandrake, it should be fine with Sarge.

Debian Installer Page (http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/)

Debian, though the install process is immensely improved in Sarge, will still probably require some tweaking after you install it. For example, my HP devices (LaserJet 1200, Photosmart 7760, and ScanJet 2100C) didn't work until I used apt-get to install hpoj and cups.

For a quick install and everything working immediately, it's hard to beat Mandrake. However, the package management with Debian easily outweighs Mandrake's RPM system in the long run.

- T.

[fatTrav]

try using pkgtool to re-run the netconfig scripts. you may need to restart networking after "/etc/rc.d/rc.init1 restart" should to the trick

[Sepero]

Why hasn't anyone said yet that the 7 CD's aren't nessecary? Debian can be installed from the 1st CD.

Also, if you have a winmodem, it doesn't matter which distro you use, you'll have problems.

I use Debian on my desktop, but I don't recommend it for noobs. Go for Ubuntu or Mepis, instead.

[tlyons]

Originally posted by Sepero
Why hasn't anyone said yet that the 7 CD's aren't nessecary?

Well, I guess I didn't say it as explicitly as that, but I did suggest only one disc. :D The net install can potentially be slow depending on the server you pick but (1.) you're getting the latest version, and (2.) How long would it take to download 7 ISOs, MD5 check the files, then burn 'em?

Debian Installer (Sarge) was a breeze. I think the net installer disk was only 200 MB.

- T.

[Calipso]

whoa...tlyons...your avatar kinda sent chills down my spine....if im not mistaken, someone else used to use that same avatar.

[fatTrav]

Originally posted by Calipso
whoa...tlyons...your avatar kinda sent chills down my spine....if im not mistaken, someone else used to use that same avatar.

same here, i had to check the user's name twice...

but back to the topic...yes, you only need one disc to install debian. you can apt-get everything else (hopefully you have a broadband connection). heck, if you poke around you can find a floppy disk install image to use.

[CoffeeMan]

yes, cd1 will do fine, sarge is best for noobs.

[tlyons]

Originally posted by Calipso
whoa...tlyons...your avatar kinda sent chills down my spine....if im not mistaken, someone else used to use that same avatar.

UPDATE - 01/10/05: Thread is now closed.

You're not mistaken, and there's a thread I already started in anticipation:

http://justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=136916&goto=newpost

- T.

[Lucas_Maximus]

I would use the nre debian installer for sarge to be honest. It far easier to get through than woody.

[battalax]

being a newbie myself i would definatly reccomend you using debian sarge net install i would admit that the installer is not as newbie friendly as mandrake or suse but its still easy i shouldnt say its not newbie friendly it just doesnt have fnacy graphics but other then that debian sarge net install is great and i would reccomend debian all the wa once you get your machine up and running youll love apt- it takes all the difficulty of installing things out of linux

[hater2win]

Originally posted by CoffeeMan
yes, cd1 will do fine, sarge is best for noobs.

what does cd1 have on it, im downloading it right now, and what is up with 7 CDs?

[battalax]

sarge net install automaticlaly downloads all teh stuff and sets it up for you the 7 cds is for the true debian install i think im not sure but sarge net install is what you want so make sure your downloading that

[hater2win]

sarge is cd1 only right?

[fatTrav]

all you need is cd1.
if i recall correctly...cd1 contains just enough of debian to get the machine to boot and get apt-get and the installer working. you then download anything else you need though apt-get. this is a bare-bones install but it is easy to get the things you need (and any dependencies) via apt-get.

oh, also be sure to apt-get things like ncurses, gcc, make, and binutils if you plan on compiling software. i was a bit bewildered when I tried to compile a kernel and "make menuconfig" just resulted in a lot of non-kernel errors...

[ehawk]

When you start up apt-get during the net-install, it asks you what type of setup you want (desktop, development, server, everything (alot!), etc). It then gets the stuff you should need, given your choice. You don't have to select individual packages. If you find you need something afterward, it's simple to get, apt-get, as it were. :)

[rbrimhall]

The only problem with choosing the debian default installs (desktop, workstation, et al) are that you will get an abundance of stuff installed (Kde and GNOME for the desktop install for instance) which my require you to do some apt-get uninstalling later to fit your needs/preferences. Also, many common things were not installed by default like gaim, x-chat, and some multimedia stuff like a cd ripper. The great thing about debian is that all of the stuff you need is generally available later via apt-get.