Intro

This is one disc in a set containing the the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Debian is a very extensive collection of software. But it is more. It is a complete Operating System (OS) for your computer. And it is free (as in "freedom").

An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. At the core of an operating system is the kernel. The kernel is the most fundamental program on the computer, which does all the basic housekeeping and lets you start other programs. Debian is kernel independent. It currently uses the Linux kernel but work is in progress to provide Debian for other kernels, using the Hurd. Most of the basic operating system tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux.

Debian is available for various kinds of computers ("architectures"), like "IBM-compatible" PCs (i386), Compaq's Alpha, Motorola's 680x0 (m68k), Sun's Sparc, Motorola/IBM's PowerPC, and (Strong)ARM processors. Check the ports page for more information.

Read more...

About This Disc

This disc is labeled

  Debian GNU/Linux testing "Etch" - Official Beta i386 NETINST Binary-1 20070317-20:46

which means that this disc is number 1 of a set of 1 discs. It contains programs ("binaries") for `i386' computers.

The programs on the Binary discs are ordered by popularity. The Binary-1 disc contains the most popular programs and the installation tools; it is possible to install and run Debian with only the Binary-1 disc. The other discs, up to Binary-1, contain mostly special-interest programs.

The Release Notes for "etch" are available on the Debian web site.

Installing

Because Debian is a complete Operating System, the installation procedure may seem a bit unusual. You can install Debian GNU/Linux either alongside your current OS, or as the only OS on your computer.

An Installation Guide for this disc is available from the Debian web site.

Programs and other files that are needed for the installation can be found on this disc under

  /tools/ and   /install/floppy/

For the impatient ones: you can start the installation program easily by booting off this disc. Note that not all (esp. older) systems support this.

You can also examine the

  /install

directory; you might be able to start the installation system directly from there.

Last-Minute Notes

• You should keep in mind that this is a beta disc of the current development version of the Debian system. This means that all sorts of bugs may be present anywhere in the system.
   

Using Apt

After installing or upgrading, Debian's packaging system can use CDs, DVDs, local collections, or networked servers (FTP, HTTP) to automatically install software from (.deb packages). This is done preferably with the `apt' and `aptitude' programs.

You can install packages from the commandline using apt-get. For example, if you want to install the packages `commprog' and `maxgame', you can give the command

  apt-get install commprog maxgame

Note that you don't have to enter the complete path, or the `.deb' extension. `Apt' will figure this out itself.

Or use aptitude for a full screen interactive selection of available Debian packages.

CD/DVD Manufacturers

You are completely free to manufacture and re-distribute CDs/DVDs of the Debian GNU/Linux Operating System, like this one. There is no charge from us (but of course donations are always welcome).

For all needed information and contact addresses, please refer to

  http://www.debian.org/CD/

More Information

There is much more information present on this disc. Besides the already mentioned installation and upgrading procedures, this is the most interesting:

• Debian FAQ
• The Debian Constitution
• The Debian Manifesto
• Debian's Social Contract
• Bug reporting instructions

Also on the Internet are many resources. To name a few:

• The Debian homepage
• Debian Documentation
• Debian User Support
• The Linux Documentation Project
• General Linux homepage