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| Linux |
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Personally, I've found the easiest way to install Linux is to download the ISO image, which is
used to create a bootable CD. There are Pros and Cons to this approach; specifically, I
couldn't get my head round the whole concept of creating bootable floppy images that then pull in the
necessary file required to install (from somewhere? ;), so the "Get everything" approach
suits me fine. That's the Pro. The Con is that ISO images are vast; each one is a complete
byte-by-byte CD image, and they weigh in at a massive 650Mb each. Redhat Linux 7.2 comprises 2
CDs; 1.2Gb in total.
Fortunately, I have access to an always-on Internet connection at work, so I'm not worried about the
call charges involved with such a massive download. However, while this connection is not metered
on a call charge basis, it's not mega-fast; only 128k. So, a 1.2Gb download takes a while.
How long? Well, that's the point of this page - to show stupidly large download times.
| Ow! |
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Below is a screenshot of the Internet Explorer download window as I started the 1.2Gb download
at work.
I started this at 5:30 on a Friday night to run over the weekend when the link is practically
idle. The estimated time was pretty accurate, as it turned out.
| WOW! |
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Now the other side of the coin...
Out of interest, I started the same download on a machine we have housed in a co-location facility.
That server is on the end of ultra-fast, diversely-routed pipes that go to the hub of Internet connectivity
in the U.K. In short, the connection is bloody fast. How fast?
Below is a screenshot of the same 1.2Gb download on this connection.
You do the maths...
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