Quote:
Originally posted by fracturedmind
Hmm, well if I got the real Debian, and went thru a million FAQs and got it running ... would it be much like Redhat at all? I'm really a linux noob, I know how to use the terminal I mean... I don't just boot into XWindows and say "Yay I'm using Linux" and open Mozilla and gAIM :P
But say I install it, this apt-get for Debian is much like Redhat? So I can update the noob way? What about packages it comes with? Am I going to be stuck trying to install everything by hand or does it come with packages like redhat?
I'd like to get off Redhat to I can get a challenge but if its going to give me a useless laptop then I'll pass :P I do use it often, so if it wouldnt be working in a few days I'd be pissed at myself 
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The biggest advantage that apt/dpkg has over RPM's is the fact that it's smart enough to know if there are unmet dependancies; if there are, it won't even D/L the package until it comes up with the other packages that meet the dependancies; with that accomplishes, THEN it D/L's everything, and hen installs AND CONFIGURES the software you want; no fuss, no muss.
The other thing is this; YOU have to determine when you want to upgrade Redhat, then you can do the dependancy fight, and with good luck, you won't trash your system; with apt/dpkg, you establish a connection to Debian's server, enter "apt-get update" (without quotes) and then Debian checks all the installed packages in your box; if there are newer versions, it notifies you, you then enter "apt-get dist-upgrade" and ALL the packages on your system are upgraded to the latest version, with all dependancies met and configured AUTOMATICALLY. The really cool thing is; if you WANT to do an upgrade everyday, you can! I love apt/dpkg, but be warned, go slow at first- even apt/dpkg can trash a system if you don't think before you act; otherwise, it's really the best package manager available, and yes, it works just as good at the command line (matter of fact, that's how I use it most of the time). There's lots more to apt/dpkg, but the upgrading ability is the best, as far as I'm concerned.
I have the 7-CD-ROM set of Woody, but all you really need is the 3 CD-ROM set for a pretty well setup installation; CheapBytes is a good place to deal with, or I can burn you a set, if you trust me (NOT a wise thing >GRIN<)