Re: Merging all 30+ Debian CD's onto hard drive

[CaT <cat@zip.com.au>]

On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 02:02:10PM -0700, Michael Paulsen wrote:
> On 3/20/08, Jeff D <fixedored@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Michael Paulsen wrote:
> > > Hi ya,
> > >
> > > Debian Etch now has over 30 CD's. I'm bored with CD swapping every
> > > time I want to install a new package. Is it possible to merge the CD's
> > > to my hard drive and direct APT or DPKG to use the hard drive instead
> > > of all the CD's when installing new packages? What would the be the
> > > easiest way to do this?
> >
> > Is there a reason that you are not using net accessible repositories?
> 
> Actually, there is.  I forgot to mention that due to my rural home I'm
> subjected to an extremely slow dial-up internet connection.  We're
> talking less than 33k most of the time, and quite often as low at 24k.
>  I know, I'm back in the 80's time frame with connections like that.
> :)

I've been in a similar situation. If you have multiple computers,
apt-proxy or squid may help. If just one then you might just want to
download overnight, or set it to do so before you go to work or other
fun stuff (and set apt-get to download only).

For really common stuff you might just want to grab the first dvd too.

Sure it's not the instant access the monkey within craves but it works
and I always found it not to be that much of a hassle. Generally you
don't download KDE or GNOME every other day. It's just a once off and
then security updates or the odd other small thing.

cat.