There are many ways of installing Debian, this is just how I do it. This guide is dedicated to all the newbies out there, and users with old boxes.
Update: Screenshots
here.
Remember, if you break Debian, you get to keep both parts.
The net-installer-rc2 is still in beta (Release Candidate 2), the next version will be the official installer, so you get a chance to know what's comming. You can download it from:
Sarge net-installer-rc2 (choose i386)
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
The type of installation I had in mind for my old machine is a minimal one, installing light apps that will render my system lean and quick. So, there will be no KDE, Gnome, splash screens, or little stars titillating on the desktop. I will install IceWM, because it's my favorite; but XFCE4, WMaker, Fluxbox, are equally fast and excellent. I want to install the kernel 2.4.27, my box is standard, there is nothing complex, everything works with kernel 2.4.27.
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