very basic about initial install

[reader at newsguy.com]

Peter Garrett <peter.garrett at optusnet.com.au> writes:

> On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:46:42 -0500
> reader at newsguy.com wrote:
>
>> Server install appears to be the same install routine but with ncurses
>> sort of windows... So instead of a crippled gui install its a crippled
>> gui primitive ncurses install.....I don't understand this at
>> all... seems kind of ridiculous ... I hope this isn't a sign that once
>> installed many other `features' also appear ridiculous compared to
>> other linux distros.
>
> OK, since you want to do things with pure command line...
>
> http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/426
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebootstrapChroot
> http://www.linux.com/articles/114165
>
> The procedures are almost exactly the same for Ubuntu or Debian, not
> surprisingly.
>
> By the way, if you really want to do things in the purest fashion, you
> could even start from a boot floppy, or there's always
> Linux From Scratch, if Ubuntu still seems so crippled to you -

I was less concerned with purity than speed and ease.  The ncures
interface of the server install makes fdisk a real pita.

But I see my complaining is running dangerous close to being hard core
chronic sniveling and am sorry about that.

And furhter, once I got hold of the server my experience has been
smooth sailing... ran right through the install, booted the new os
with no problems... and being as how this is a vmware guest on Windows
Vista I think that is a clear indication that somebody is doing a good
job with the server install.
>
> Incidentally, both Ubuntu and Debian have completely functional command
> line operation, with or without X, and if you want to choose your own
> shell, you can do that too. I suggest starting with a thorough reading of 
>
> http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/

One has to get to root for apt to be of much use.. and that is what I
had trouble with.  At this stage even though I'm pretty much
intellectually challenged... that is, not all that bright... I just
expect to be able to do this stuff since I've been running linux in
one distro or another since the late 3 series of redhat... probably
over 10 yrs now.

I don't expect to have to read documentation cover to cover... and
usually I don't... as is the case now.

Thanks for the nice install package in the server 8.0.4 ISO people.