[plug] Debian Installation - Sid

[Michael Hunt]

On Tue, 2004-08-24 at 13:45, Ben Woods wrote:
> Hey there,
> 
> I am about to install debian on my computer. To do this, I have downloaded the
> netinst cd from the debian.org site. It says it is the
> installer for the sarge (testing) edition.

Congratulations on your choice of distro. Is this your first foray into
the world of Debian ???

> I am going to take my computer to the University Computer Club at UWA and use
> their internet connection to access the debian mirror at
> ftp.uwa.edu.au, so as it wont be charged to my account, and the download will be
> fast!

Well, over 256K ADSL a fresh install of Sarge with X only took 5 hours.
At least at UCC you will be able to take it away in less than an hour
rather than leaving it to do its job overnight.

> What I wanted to ask is this: what do I have to do to enable the "unstable" sid
> versions to be downloaded when i am installing the software?

Well I would install the base distro (no X or additional apps) then edit
your /etc/apt/sources.list file to include these two lines :-

deb ftp://ftp.uwa.edu.au/mirrors/linux/debian/ sid main contrib non-free
deb-src ftp://ftp.uwa.edu.au/mirrors/linux/debian/ sid main contrib
non-free

Note that the last line has wrapped. It won't work if you put it on a
separate line. I am also assuming you want contrib and non-free as well
(I do) so have included them too.

After this run :-

# apt-get update
... list of packages will be updated.
# apt-get dist-upgrade
... upgrade sarge to sid

On a base install this will update the packages to their appropriate sid
versions. Then all you need to do is run tasksel or aptitude to chose
what other packages you want. (OK you can use dselect if you really want
to). If aptitude doesn't run or cannot be found try

# apt-get install aptitude 

> Also if anyone knows any pitfalls I may come across during the installation,
> that would really help! I have already given it a shot at home
> and then aborted when it came to downloading the packages (as I couldn't download
> them... I was practising). I worked out I need to set it
> up so i choose the mirror to be in Australia at ftp.uwa.edu.au. Is that all I
> need to do? If I do this, am I right that I wont get charged?
> And is the UCC using DHCP?

I'm not sure what UCC's policies are but I'm assuming because it is a
local mirror on the University's network then they shouldn't charge for
it. Maybe someone else can clarify this but I believe UWA's mirror is
also available via WAIX which most local ISP's don't charge for.
Personally I use ftp.wa.au.debian.org which is on WAIX and data which I
download from it I am not charged for on my ArachNet ADSL account.

As far as pitfalls are concerned the installer is now at a very robust,
stable and reliable point and a breeze to use after woody's boot
floppies. The only problem you may run into is with things like 3D on a
nvidia card, but even that is not difficult to do. Ask about specifics
on list after you have it all installed and if you run into any
problems.

> Thanx for everyone's help.
> 
> -Ben Woods
> email: woodsb02 at student.uwa.edu.au

No problems.

Michael Hunt