dselect Documentation for Beginners - Chapter 3
A Few Hints in Conclusion

When the install process runs dselect for you, you will doubtless be eager to get Debian running as soon as possible. Well, please be prepared to take an hour or so as you have to learn your way around and then get it right. When you enter the ``Select'' screen for the first time don't make ANY selections at all -- just hit Enter and see what dependancy problems there are. Try fixing them. If you find yourself back at the main screen run ``Select'', section 2.3 again.

You can get an idea of the size of a package by hitting itwice and looking for the ``Size'' figure. This is the size of the crunched package, so the uncrunched files will be a lot bigger.

Installing a new Debian system is a very complex thing, but dselect can do it for you as easily as can be. So take the time to learn how to drive it. Read the help screens and experiment with i, I, o, and O. Use the R key. It's all there, but it's up to you to use it effectively.