Download GNU+Linux!
The Hampshire GLUG advocates the use of the Debian and Ubuntu distributions of GNU+Linux. Because the operating system GNU+Linux is freely licensed, anyone can modify the source code and package it up however they wish. Each 'packaging' as it were is commonly referred to as a distribution of GNU+Linux. Debian and Ubuntu are two such distributions and you can download CD images of various installation CDs for both of them right here.
The downloads are divided into two major sections depending on the hardware in your system, specifically the instruction set architecture of your microprossesor. The two options are the older 32-bit x86 (aka i386) or the newer 64-bit x86 (aka amd64). Unless you are aware that your microprocessor has 64-bit x86 (also referred to as x86_64) extensions and specifically desire to make use of them, choose the i386 download for now, as it will provide the best compatability with existing software.
Debian |
||
|---|---|---|
| Version | 4.0r2, aka Etch (Stable) |
Lenny (Testing) |
i386 |
32-bit Etch network install CD | 32-bit Lenny network install CD |
amd64 |
64-bit Etch network install CD | 64-bit Lenny network install CD |
Ubuntu (Gutsy Gibbon 7.10) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Installation type | Desktop install |
Alternate install |
i386 |
32-bit Gutsy Desktop Install Live CD | 32-bit Gutsy Alternate Installer CD |
amd64 |
64-bit Gutsy Desktop Install Live CD | 64-bit Gutsy Alternate Installer CD |
For Debian users, the installer CDs offered here are minimalistic small discs which will boot your computer into an installer program which will guide you through the process of installation. Since there is so little data on the actualy installation disc, part of the installation process is downloading software from a network source for a complete Desktop suite of software. If you are located at or near Hampshire College, be sure to use the Debian package repository hosted at Hampshire for extremely quick download speeds for updates and new software!
For Ubuntu users, all download offered are the latest version of Ubuntu, version 7.10 codename Gutsy Gibbon. The Desktop install CD boots into a usable Ubuntu desktop environment where you can surf the web in Firefox, test out hardware compatability, chat with friends online, etc. For this reason these discs are great for even just testing out Ubuntu to see how easy it is to use and some of the default applications and preferences which are available. Once in this desktop environment, you can choose to double-click the "Install" shortcut on the Desktop to load the 6-step installer program. The Alternate install disc is more like the Debian network installation CD in that it doesn't offer the user a graphical desktop to use on boot, but rather an installation setup program designed solely to install the operating system to you computer's hard drive.
Q: What do I do once I install Debian or Ubuntu?
A: Tell it to download all future software updates and package downloads from the mirror at Hampshire!
You can get any piece of software in the entire Debian and Ubuntu operating systems (over 18,000 packages apiece!) in every version and instruction set architecture offered here on this page (plus more!).