My only thing, is that there are ways to install Debian on a machine that completely departs from Normal. This is why some many other distributions are being based on Debian.

Off hand, I can think of 4 ways to install Debian, with out the new installer. Three ways with the New Installer and CD Image.

There isn't another distribution I can think of that (unless based on Debian) can be installed so many different ways, yet still come out with the same result.

To me, writing down everything I did, works. I guess, being immersed in doing everything the hard way sometimes gives you a different perspective. I like the hard way of doing things most times. It gives me a more internal view of the machine, the view, the goings-on.

I guess, being a hardware/software consultant, like yourself, I can see making it repeatable is essential. To me, it is always repeatable for me. Any of the seven ways it can be done, give me repeatable (read as Identical) setups. It is probably unrealistic for me to assume others can do it, but to know things are repeatable for others is a nice thing.

I do things differently than most, if you couldn't tell.

So I am classed as an Enthusiast.

Geez Grygus, don't expect me, the lowly Linux Enthusiast, to be able to help with those Enterprise problems you are having from time to time...

</jokeson>

No, really, I have done things some people only dream of doing with Linux. I can see your point, repeatability. It is the utmost import.

I can achieve repeatability in many ways, I can get to the same machine setup exactly, using pretty much any of the seven ways.

Not doubting any of your ability or prowess, I'd bet I could have done your machine without having to reboot but one time, especially since you needed to have persnickety drivers. I'd have done the whole thing in a chroot environment. Then reboot into Debian's baseconfig.

Now, documentation... umm, that is what a secretary is for. (yeah I know, shutup already)

I know, I really should document my stuff, but damn, I am waiting for that neural interface I can just download it to the 'puter.