getting Linux

[Stoddard]

For those of you with Debian Linux, how did you obtain the system? CD? If you want to get a computer with Linux already installed, how much extra does it cost you?

[nickh]

I download the "netinst" (network install) CD, burn that to a blank CD-R, pop it into the CD drive in the server, boot up the server, and proceed through the Debian installer.

I prefer doing a network install because it allows me to install only the software that I want, and prevents software that I don't want from being installed. If you install via a CD or DVD image, the installer install extra software that you might not need.

You can buy computers with various distributions of GNU/Linux pre-installed. Here're a few companies:

• Linux Certified
• system76
• ZaReason
• Dell
• Los Alamos Computers
• EmperorLinux
• linutop

Note that the list above is not exhaustive, and I've never dealt with any of the companies.