Using Linux without the internet

[dweezil]

Hi everybody,
I've just started getting into Linux recently and have managed to get a Debian file server with Samba up and running OK but haven't had the same success with Linux as a desktop (the usual stuff, MP3, DVD etc). I've been trying out Suse (liking this one alot) and Ubuntu.

My problem is not getting things to work, but getting "all the things needed" in the first place. My Linux box is not hooked up to the internet but I will be getting ADSL in the next month or two so my question is:

Would I be saving myself alot of headaches by not bothering with Linux (as a desktop) until I get ADSL so I can automatically get the updates and dependencies as needed? Is this how it is supposed to be done?

Dweezil

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You'll need either the internet, or have a CD (or DVD) in hand with all the packages you want or need on it. Debian has lots of packages, so to get them all, you'll have to have all the CD's, which I think is something like 21 CD's, now.

[devils casper]

i would suggest to wait for internet connection only. i dont think one should download all CDs just for MP3/DVD playback or other necessary codecs.

do you have any other machine having Debin + internet connection? you can download necessary codecs in that machine, copy .deb files from /var/cache/apt/archive and install in your machine.

[dweezil]

Thanks for the replies and the welcome.

21 CD's !! - didn't realise there was that much on offer - should find a couple of things I would need

At the momement I'm using an old P3 with XP and a Winmodem, only for another month or so.

you can download necessary codecs in that machine, copy .deb files from /var/cache/apt/archive and install in your machine.

That seems the way I should go. I might take my PC with Ubuntu to a friends place and use his ADSL to download everything if I can't wait to get it myself.

Thanks again

Dweezil