> On Saturday 11 August 2007 04:39, kaldrenon shared this with us all:
> >--} Hey all. I just installed etch onto my Dell Inspiron B130 laptop using
> >--} the net-install CD that I got at http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/
> >--}
> >--} Given the description of the installer on the website, I had been
> >--} under the impression that when I ran the install I'd be able to choose
> >--} packages from Debian's (rather massive) list, but that instead of
> >--} having to burn 21 CDs I'd be able to download and install the packages
> >--} of my choice during the install process. However, when I ran the
> >--} install, I didn't get a chance to choose any of these packages - I got
> >--} a simple dialog with options like Print Server, Mail Server, and Web
> >--} Server, but nothing like a list that would have taken 21 CDs to hold.
> >--}
> >--} My primary question is, did I misunderstand what the net-install was
> >--} meant to do? I had thought it would give me access to the full package
> >--} list via downloads - does it not do that? Or did I do something wrong
> >--} during the install?
A typical Debian installation is made in three stages.
FIRST STAGE. A minimal system is installed from CD. This may be the
netinstall CD or the first CD of any Debian CD set. The only
advantage to using the netinstall CD is that the image is smaller and
quicker to download and burn. You are given the opportunity to select
the source for installation; at that point you may choose CD or
Internet.
The minimal system which is installed in this stage is useful for
nothing other than a means for installation of additional packages.
In this stage, only the essential configuration is accomplished.
SECOND STAGE. A reasonable working system is installed, either by
downloading files over the Internet or else from CDs. This system may
be of the service category "print server", "mail server", "web
server", "desktop", etc. The Debian packages typically chosen for the
respective category are downloaded, installed, and configured. Also
in this stage, remaining basic configuration of the the system is
completed.
If you wish, you may decline to specify the service category ("print
server", "mail server", "web server", "desktop", etc.) of the system,
and stop at this second stage, in which case you have a minimal but
usable Debian system which is properly configured.
THIRD STAGE. The third stage is not really "installation"; rather, it
is "customization". In this stage, the user uses a package tool (I
recommend Synaptic, which is the only tool I now use) to select,
install, upgrade, and remove packages specific to his needs. To find
packages suited for your needs, use a search engine such as Google
(www.google.com/linux) or search the Debian archives.
RLH
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