Hello I'm new to Debian. Debian 3.0 has 7 CD right?
Do we have to have them all to install it?
How about if I just download the CD 1? is that enough?
where can I find information [links if available) on contents
on each CD?

thanks
Ronald

Not contents, but a short (compared to Debian's) install guide. http://misty.apana.org.au/linux/WoodyInstall.html

You could be okay with just one. And site rules say not to double-post.

Just the first CD would be enough to setup a basic install. If you have fast broadband connection to the internet (or a modem link but you don't pay the phone bill!), you can use the apt program to add everything you want.
However as you seem to be migrating from Mandrake, you might be in for a shock. Woody install is not nice to look at

If you want Debian and not the STABLE version which i s Woody, please try the live CDs which are really useful in many ways.

Knoppix
Morphix
and probably the best one of them all?
Mepis Linux at www.mepis.org This has a GUI install from KDE and has a GUI partition manager too - in case you want to have two distros on the same PC. It has a nice supplemental CD too...

Have fun. Will travel!

use debian... great os, and it will make you learn your way around linux instead of taking the easier route with mandrake or red hat

Yeah, apt-get is sweet.

The seven CDs is only needed if you don't have an internet connection, unless you don't want X. :-p

I bought it from a distributor because I did not have the time nor the CDs to burn it myself. Working from the CDs is a lot quicker than internet connection though.

That is unless your on a T3.

I <3 Apt.

I have the cd's... but if you have the connection, there is nothing like custom building your own gentoo or debian system from scratch