Debian CD woes :(

[kevingpo]

I want to download the Debian ISO CDs. However to my surprise there are 14 of 'em!!!

Surely one does not need all 14 CDs just to install Debian. And I remember from Red Hat, the last couple of CDs are usually the source code CDs. So can someone tell me which first CDs I need just to install Debian. The first 3?

[jens]

I want to download the Debian ISO CDs. However to my surprise there are 14 of 'em!!!

Surely one does not need all 14 CDs just to install Debian. And I remember from Red Hat, the last couple of CDs are usually the source code CDs. So can someone tell me which first CDs I need just to install Debian. The first 3?

You don't need any of them if you have a working network.
Pick the "netinst CD image":
http://www.nl.debian.org/releases/sa...ian-installer/

PS: the first 3/4 CDs should indeed be enough (packagages are placed in order of importancy) for a normal CD desktop install.

[oz]

I'm not sure which CDs you need to install Debian, but in case you haven't considered it, a netinstall would be much quicker, and easier to install.

oops... someone beat me to the punch!

[kevingpo]

yeah, debian internet install is better, it's more up to date

[tudawggz]

I highly recommend using dvd's whenever possible. I have to say having distros on dvd has been excellent. Debian is the first distro I've had to change dvd's on....Two DVD's I purchased from linuxcentral because it would have been a bear to download with dial up...

[a12ctic]

network install pls, its really the easiest way....

[oz]

yeah, debian internet install is better, it's more up to date

Yeah, having successfully completed 30 or more Debian network installs, I can't imagine ever buying all those CDs. If you should decide to do the netinstall, let us know if you run into troubles.

[George Harrison]

I would also have to agree with the majority in using the netinstall to install off from, it has yet to fail me from countless installs. I had lots of troubles with the business card iso though... stay away

[LondoJowo]

Net install is the only way to go........

[St. Joe]

As you only need the 1st CD to install Sarge, it does have the advantage of being much easier if a re-install is ever required, since you would not have to bother with the net-installer package downloads again. These can easily reach into the hundreds of MB's if you choose KDE and/or Gnome for your desktop.

It certainly would be more beneficial to the dial-up user, or anyone who would like to have a ready outlet for a faster subsequent installation.