Depending on the installation media you are currently using, you may be first asked to select the CDs you actually have at hand.
It's now time to specify which programs you wish to install on your system. There are thousands of packages available for Mandrakelinux, and to make it simpler to manage, they have been placed into groups of similar applications.
Mandrakelinux sorts package groups in four categories. You can mix and match applications from the various categories, so a Workstation installation can still have applications from the Server category installed.
Workstation: if you plan to use your machine as a workstation, select one or more of the groups in this category.
Development: if you plan on using your machine for programming, select the appropriate groups from this category. The special LSB group will configure your system so that it complies as much as possible with the Linux Standard Base Project specifications.
Server: if your machine is intended to be a server, select which of the more common services you wish to install on your machine.
Graphical Environment: this is where you will choose your preferred graphical environment. At least one must be selected if you want to have a graphical interface available.
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Moving the mouse cursor over a group name will display a short explanatory text about that group. |
You can check the Individual package selection box, which is useful if you're familiar with the packages being offered or if you want to have total control over what will be installed.
If you start the installation in Upgrade mode, you can deselect all groups and prevent the installation of any new packages. This is useful for repairing or updating an existing system.
If you deselect all groups when performing a regular installation (as opposed to an upgrade), a new dialog shows after pressing the button, suggesting different options for a minimal installation:
With X: install the minimum number of packages possible to have a working graphical desktop.
With basic documentation: installs the base system plus basic utilities and their documentation. This installation is suitable for setting up a server.
Truly minimal install: installs the absolute minimum number of packages necessary to get a working Linux system. With this installation you will only have a command-line interface. The total size of this installation is under 100 megabytes.
If you choose to install packages individually, the installer will present a tree structure containing all packages classified by groups and subgroups. While browsing the tree, you can select entire groups, subgroups, or individual packages.
Whenever you select a package on the tree, a description will appear on the right to let you know the purpose of that package.