Debian DVD / CD Sets FAQ





Why sell discs containing software that people can download for free?

In a word, "convenience". Etch comes on 21 to 24 CDs and up to 4 DVDs (depending on the platform) which is over 12 gigabytes of software (more than double that if you want the Source CDs too) to download. Even if you had full use of a dedicated T1 line, which operates at 1.5 megabits per second, it would take you nearly 20 hours to download the images. (In all likelihood it would probably take longer because the download sites will have other traffic on their broadband connection.) Then you'd have to burn each image onto blank CDs and label them. Given the cost of a set of pre-made DVDs or CDs, you'd have to have a lot of time on your hands to make this worthwhile.


Why are you selling DVD sets for $17.50 when others charge $25 to $30 ?

Making disc sets available on the same site where we show you how to use them is more about providing a service than selling a product. It allows us to be your "one-stop shop" for obtaining and learning to use Debian so you don't have to go hunting around the Web for a good deal on DVDs or CDs. We wanted our price to be one of the lowest on the Web to make it easier to afford. Many of our site's visitors are college students and we remember all too well how tight money can be when you're in school.

We have a lot of fun playing around with Debian and we want to try and make it affordable so others can have fun with it as well. We feel our lower price, along with a sufficient number of sales (knock on wood), will provide the income necessary (with commissions from the Amazon book links helping out a little) to keep this site operating.


What's so special about your discs?

In order to cut costs many vendors use low-cost discs prone to media errors and drive-compatibility issues, ship discs unprotected in flat envelopes, or even stuff multiple discs into a single paper sleeve. We use only high quality discs to ensure long data retention and compatibility with the CD drives typically found on older Pentium systems. Each disc is individually sleeved in a window envelope for easy identification (which is a nice feature when you've got 23 CDs to work with). And given that we're not one of those CD-sales-only Web sites, we're not out to maximize profits by cutting corners and only carrying the sets for the most popular platforms. (For example, many sell the i386 binary disc set but not the "source" disc set.) The money made from disc sales is used to help pay for the hosting and related costs incurred operating this site so we don't have to resort to those annoying pop-up and banner ads.


How many servers can I set up with my disc set?

How many PCs do you have available? Once you get your set of discs you can install Debian and the included applications on as many systems as you'd like. There are no installation, usage, or seat licenses to be concerned about. But keep in mind that you don't need a bunch of systems to set up a bunch of "servers". A single system can simultaneously act as a Web, e-mail, database, etc., etc., etc. server. Simply follow along with our guide pages to install and configure all the server applications that interest you on a single system.


I sometimes see an 'r' number after the version number (ex: 3.0r2). What is this about?

An 'r' number designates a "point release" which is simply the current version with the latest patches applied. The message announcing the r2 release of Woody said:

This is the second update of Debian GNU/Linux 3.0 (codename `woody') which mainly adds security updates to the stable release.... Those who frequently update from security.debian.org won't have to update many packages...

People tend to make a bigger deal out of 'r' releases than they actually are. You can update your system to the current point release (actually, it'll be ahead of the current point release) with a couple simple apt-get commands (we show you how on the Packages page) that pull the latest OS, installed application, and security patches over the Internet, no different than running Windows Update on a Windows system. You should be routinely applying the latest security patches anyway, which typically make up the vast majority of patches in a point release.


Is my credit card information safe when ordering on your site ?

It is safe in every way. Your information is safe when traversing the Internet through the use of our 128-bit GeoTrust SSL certificate. Your information is safe from hackers because our shopping cart software never stores your credit card number on our server. (This is not the case with all shopping cart software.) It is sent electronically (also encrypted via SSL) to CardService International for payment authorization and processing when you submit your order and is not recorded in any of our data files.


How long will it take to get my discs?

We ship 1 to 2 business days of receiving your order (most often the next business day) using First Class mail because it allows for Saturday deliveries, deliveries to PO boxes and APO/FPO (military) addresses, and you don't have to be at home to receive a shipment. We typically don't use Priority Mail because that's an unnecessary cost to you. Those boxes and stickers with the logo may look nice but if you use the Post Office's own Web site to check delivery times between two zip codes for various shipping options you'll see that Priority Mail and First Class delivery times are often the same. Depending on your location, delivery should take two to seven business days. APO/FPO orders will take longer due to the orders getting held up in Customs.


I received my discs but not my T-shirt. What's going on?

The Debian gear is produced and shipped by "our guy in New York" and is produced specifically for your order (so it may take a few more days for gear items to arrive). Gear items may even arrive before your discs. It depends on your location. Multiple disc sets or the Corel Linux CD may also be packed and shipped separately. If you ordered multiple items and only one arrives, the other item(s) aren't far behind.


Why don't you sell 'unstable' disc sets?

'Unstable' releases are just that, unstable, and they are updated with great freqency as the release goes through testing. Those just starting out with Debian should stick with the stable release for one simple reason; when you're trying to get your server to do something and it won't, you'll have no way of knowing if it's a configuration issue or a bug in the new OS. Better to play it safe and save yourself some potential grief.

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