Debian isn't hard to install...really. :p Most people will tell you
the Debian installer sucks. It doesn't. The default installer fills a
very valid need: An installer that can handle all hardware
architectures supported by Debian, be flexible on media type, and a
list of other requirments.

The mistake most people make (In my opinion!) when installing Debian
with the default installer is to install packages. Every time I
install a new machine, I just use the installer to get a booting
extremely minimal Debian system. All it can really do is connect to
the network and apt-get using dselect, aptitude, synaptic, or just
apt-get install wever-it-is-I-want. That's all you need to get going.
My opinion of course…some people might actually want to do some
hardware automatic configuration…but why? You'll learn more about
Linux if you figure out how to do it yourself!

Anyway, if the default installer isn't your thing, check out all the
ways you can install Debian here:
http://www.linuxmafia.com/faq/Debian/installers.html

What's stopping you from installing Debian? Surly you don't really
need an install fest do you? Odds are you can get it working by the
time an install fest rolls around, and by then you might even be able
to help at the install fest!

Do a little research, ask some questions to TCLUG, accept that every
little thing like your sound card and wireless network might not work
right away…but as long as you can get say, X and a network
connection…you have a mass of tools available to try to figure out how
to configure the rest of it. ;-)

Take a deep breath, pick your installer, and have some fun with your PC!

Good luck…we'll be lurking here. :D

-- 
Andrew S. Zbikowski | http://andy.zibnet.us
 A password is like your underwear; Change it
 frequently, don't share it with others, and
     don't ask to borrow someone else's.

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