I'm confused with downloading Debian (Easy Question !! click here)

[omar_cplusplus]

I'm downloading Debian Linux , but there is something i cant understand , there is 16 iso images for it
( debian-31r0-alpha-binary-1.iso , debian-31r0-alpha-binary-2.iso , debian-31r0-alpha-binary-3.iso , ......... debian-31r0-alpha-binary-16.iso)
what is the image that i should use for it ?

[Vergil83]

ok, first thing are you sure you want the alpha released.

The entire distribution is 16 cds, but you don't need all of them. The first cd has the most important software on it. If you have a fast internet connection you can always use the minimal CD and the rest of the needed programs will be downloaded durning the install.

[omar_cplusplus]

when must i use Alpha , i386 , ppc or sparc ? does it differs from a computer to another ?

[techieMoe]

when must i use Alpha , i386 , ppc or sparc ? does it differs from a computer to another ?

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/topic-47022.html

[ericrun]

If your computer can run Windows, you should use the i386. If you happen to have an AMD 64 processor, there is a variety of Debian called AMD64 that will take advantage of the extra power the Athalon 64 processors have, but I'm not sure if the 64-bit drivers are as good as the 32-bit yet. The Alpha is a processor that is not compatible with Windows, and it is unlikely that you'll get anywhere with it.

As for how much to download, if you have an always on broadband connection, get the net install. If you need to install from CD, get the first two disks.

[techieMoe]

If your computer can run Windows, you should use the i386. If you happen to have an AMD 64 processor, there is a variety of Debian called AMD64 that will take advantage of the extra power the Athalon 64 processors have, but I'm not sure if the 64-bit drivers are as good as the 32-bit yet.

Actually, no. No current AMD64 version of any distro yet (as far as my experience goes) truly takes advantage of all the features of the AMD64. They're just recompiled versions of the straight 32-bit Linux kernel. The same goes for the packages they ship with.

As far as driver support, the only drivers I've had to install are display drivers, and the AMD64 versions of the Nvidia drivers work as well as the 32-bit ones. I've not had trouble with any of my devices in 64-bit Linux.