It contains the base system,x-window kde gnome......the most base ones
Do not use knoppix if you realy want to study the Debian GNU/Linux.it won't give you any joy of using Debian.It install all the 700MB of the cdrom into your hard-disk ,many of them are useless for you. and there are many bugs when you try update you system!!!
download the first disk.burn it with a CD-Burner
install the base system .configure your network ,
then you type these:
#apt-get update
#apt-get dist-upgrade
#apt-get insall xfree86-common xserver-common xserver-xfree86 xbase-clients xfonts-base xfonts-100dpi xfonts-75dpi
after these commands you've install the base X-window
chose the desktop enviornment you like
for example I wanner use gnome.I should type these to install gnome
#apt-get install gnome-panel gnome-applets
#apt-get install metacity metacity-setup metacity-themes
#apt-get install gnome-control-center gnome-utils
install the following if you like
#apt-get install gedit gnome-terminal
#apt-get install nautilus
#apt-get install xscreensaver gnome-system-monitor
KDE in unstable and testing coundn't install thought apt-get you should install it using dselect!for further information. see this: http://www.linuxsir.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44917
If you use stable .you can chose debian.ustc.edu.cn as your apt server!!
There offers KDE3 for stable!!Of course it is unoffical!!