Downloading a distro

[Jfielding]

This may be a basic question but how does one go about downloading a distribution?

I have looked at several distro's and when I go to try and download a distro I usually get sent to a ftp mirror site which has a list of files and directories.

Do all the files and directories have to be downloaded?

I have also read that the distro can be installed via ftp over the net. What is the difference between this method and downloading the necessary files to a computer.

I have only a 56K modem to work with here and usually I am lucky to get 32K connection speed so I am trying to determine the best and cheapest way to get involved with linux.

Thanks in advance

[Jinx]

Well I started off in Linux by downloading an ISO (an Image) of Mandrake disk 1 from www.linux-mandrake.com (http://www.linux-mandrake.com) and burnt it to CD. I used Download Accelerator (www.downloadaccelerator.com) to download the ISO as it was 650 meg and DA has a resume option. :)

I know the Debian distrobution will let you install off the net using a package called "apt", but I am not too sure of how you would go about this from scratch. I preferred to download the ISO of Debian as then I had most of what you are looking to install on CD (much quicker than the net).

So basically I reckon ya safest bet would be to download one of the ISO images from one of the Linux sites (I would recommend Mandrake or Redhat to start off with). You really only need CD1, as CD2 and up are just packages.

Either that or ya are bound to find copy of some form of Linux distro in ya news agents strapped to a magazine.
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ftp.php3#586

Hope that helps. :)

Cya round
Jinx

[AnimeRPM]

This is the site I use to download different distros. http://www.linuxiso.org/

[Danger Fan]

downloading on a 56k will take forever. best bet is to order a distro. if you don't want to spend money, there are people here that will download it for you. better yet, find bradmont's site (www.bradmont.net, i think), and you can get the debian install cd for free.

[chikn]

If you are asking questions about downloading a distro then chances are your a real newb, Danger Fan had the best idea, go buy one, If you get Mandrake or Slack or Redhat theyll have a pretty good manual that can help you through the little things and is good reference for basic commands.