DebianDesktopHowTo - Revision history

Mok0: 196 revisions imported: Test of revisions

2026-10-26T22:17:02Z

196 revisions imported: Test of revisions

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:17, 26 October 2026
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mok0>1631442098.26.30754 (ChristianBuhtz): fix syntax typo

2025-03-17T14:09:35Z

fix syntax typo

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mok0>1631442098.26.30754 (ChristianBuhtz): Link "Back In Time" project

2025-03-17T14:04:15Z

Link "Back In Time" project

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:04, 17 March 2025
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	Use '''apt-get install <packagename>''', or the synaptic package manager to find, select and install the following packages:		Use '''apt-get install <packagename>''', or the synaptic package manager to find, select and install the following packages:
	* firmware-linux* (from non-free repository may be needed even to install with certain hardware) * synaptic (not included with the Xfce desktop) * preload (will preload often used programs into ram) * mc (midnight commander, a console file manager) * a ssh-askpass package (lets ssh use a graphical password prompt window when run under X) * geeqie (fast picture viewer) * vlc, browser-plugin-vlc, freetuxtv (video player) * parcellite or clipit (lightweight clipboard manager) * autokey (keyboard shortcuts) * zim (managing notes) + scrot (for screenshot plugin) Put "zim --plugin trayicon" in autostart. (e.g. on SSDs autosave after ten minutes instead of 10 seconds: ~/.config/zim/preferences.conf: autosave_timeout=600) * goldendict-worldnet (english dictionary, and trans-de-en current selection with hotkey) * ding + trans-de-en + agrep (translations) * backintime (backup program) = User =		* firmware-linux* (from non-free repository may be needed even to install with certain hardware) * synaptic (not included with the Xfce desktop) * preload (will preload often used programs into ram) * mc (midnight commander, a console file manager) * a ssh-askpass package (lets ssh use a graphical password prompt window when run under X) * geeqie (fast picture viewer) * vlc, browser-plugin-vlc, freetuxtv (video player) * parcellite or clipit (lightweight clipboard manager) * autokey (keyboard shortcuts) * zim (managing notes) + scrot (for screenshot plugin) Put "zim --plugin trayicon" in autostart. (e.g. on SSDs autosave after ten minutes instead of 10 seconds: ~/.config/zim/preferences.conf: autosave_timeout=600) * goldendict-worldnet (english dictionary, and trans-de-en current selection with hotkey) * ding + trans-de-en + agrep (translations) * [https://tracker.debian.org/pkg/backintime Back In Time]([https://github.com/bit-team/backintime upstream]) - (GUI backup program using [[\|https://tracker.debian.org/pkg/rsync]] in the back) = User =

	Set up checking of the local /var/mail/<user> mailbox (e.g. add a mail notification icon to the panel).		Set up checking of the local /var/mail/<user> mailbox (e.g. add a mail notification icon to the panel).

mok0>1691386989.46.5254 (MaxN): pam_umask should work since Trixie, link Permission for configuration

2024-07-31T10:58:16Z

pam_umask should work since Trixie, link Permission for configuration

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:58, 31 July 2024
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	There is a neat universal partitioning scheme you can set up, especially if you have an SSD, may want redundant drives, or want to keep laptop drives spun down to lower noise and power consumption. Find it together with instructions on how to minimize disk writes as at [[SSDoptimization\|SSD Optimizations]].		There is a neat universal partitioning scheme you can set up, especially if you have an SSD, may want redundant drives, or want to keep laptop drives spun down to lower noise and power consumption. Find it together with instructions on how to minimize disk writes as at [[SSDoptimization\|SSD Optimizations]].
	Bug DebianBug:653760 - The audio group must not have any members, otherwise consolekit won't adjust audio permissions (ACLs) when switching between users.		Bug DebianBug:653760 - The audio group must not have any members, otherwise consolekit won't adjust audio permissions (ACLs) when switching between users.
	~~To get the correct umask that leverages the~~ private ~~user~~ groups (~~see group dirs below~~), you ~~need to configure the umask adaption in /etc/pam.d/common-session manually until~~ the ~~bug DebianBug:646692 is fixed:~~		If shared directories are used (see [[UserPrivateGroups\|user private groups]] or if restrictive umask value (for example 0077) is necessary then in Debian 12 bookworm and earlier releases you should enable the <code>pam_umask.so</code> module in PAM configuration, see [[Permissions#System-wide_umask_configuration\|System-wide umask configuration]] in Permissions. No action should be required since Trixie. With releases older than Bookworm there were issues with systemd user session or GNOME display manager (gdm) overrode the system's default umask. Thus, if you use gdm you may try to fix it, or just install another dm like kdm, slim, or [[LightDM]], but consider [[Permissions#Per-user_umask_settings\|per-user umask settings]] recipes first.
	<~~pre~~> ~~echo "session optional~~ pam_umask.so ~~usergroups"~~ >~~> /etc/pam~~.~~d/common-~~session ~~</pre>~~
	~~Note that the~~ GNOME display manager (gdm) ~~overrides~~ the system's default umask. Thus, if you use gdm you may try to fix it, or just install another dm like kdm, slim, or [[LightDM]].
	"Green" or laptop hard disk models often suffer from parking/unparking their heads every 10 seconds or so, causing excessive wear. Check 'smartctl -a /dev/sdX' to see your current Load_Cycle_Count. As a countermeasure, install laptop-mode-tools and set CONTROL_HD_POWERMGMT=1 in /etc/laptop-mode.conf (sets "hdparm -B 254" on AC to stop those clicks). Alternatively, you may be able to set the hard drive's head parking idle timeout to something like 1-3 minutes, or to disable the timeout altogether on NON-mobile devices (idle3-tools), have a process generate more frequent disk activity as long as it sees other activity (https://code.google.com/p/wdsaver), or hunt down and eliminate the source of the periodic disk accesses (probably log messages).		"Green" or laptop hard disk models often suffer from parking/unparking their heads every 10 seconds or so, causing excessive wear. Check 'smartctl -a /dev/sdX' to see your current Load_Cycle_Count. As a countermeasure, install laptop-mode-tools and set CONTROL_HD_POWERMGMT=1 in /etc/laptop-mode.conf (sets "hdparm -B 254" on AC to stop those clicks). Alternatively, you may be able to set the hard drive's head parking idle timeout to something like 1-3 minutes, or to disable the timeout altogether on NON-mobile devices (idle3-tools), have a process generate more frequent disk activity as long as it sees other activity (https://code.google.com/p/wdsaver), or hunt down and eliminate the source of the periodic disk accesses (probably log messages).
	Check that /etc/aliases contains a <code>root: <mail-user></code> line that forwards mail directed at the root user to your own user account, and execute "sudo newaliases" if changes were necessary. (And set up your mail program to check your local mailbox under /var/mail/.		Check that /etc/aliases contains a <code>root: <mail-user></code> line that forwards mail directed at the root user to your own user account, and execute "sudo newaliases" if changes were necessary. (And set up your mail program to check your local mailbox under /var/mail/.

mok0>1255097634.31.43069 (BeatriceTorracca): translation header easy to include in translations + interwiki links

2023-07-27T14:36:33Z

translation header easy to include in translations + interwiki links

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:36, 27 July 2023
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	During the installation, you can select your preferred desktop environment at the [https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel Selecting and Installing Software] installation step.		During the installation, you can select your preferred desktop environment at the [https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel Selecting and Installing Software] installation step.
	By default, Debian installer will choose [~~https://wiki.debian.org/~~Gnome GNOME], however you can also select [~~https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce~~ Xfce], [~~https://wiki.debian.org/~~KDE KDE Plasma], ~~[https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=cinnamon~~ Cinnamon], [~~https://wiki.debian.org/MATE~~ MATE], [~~https://wiki.debian.org/LXDE~~ LXDE] or [~~https://packages.debian.org/lxqt~~ LXQt].		By default, Debian installer will choose [[Gnome\|GNOME]], however you can also select [[Xfce]], [[KDE\|KDE Plasma]], Cinnamon, [[MATE]], [[LXDE]], or [[LXQt]].
	GNOME and KDE each boast a complete desktop experience, an extensive ecosystem of apps, and support for [~~https://wiki.debian.org/Wayland~~ Wayland].		GNOME and KDE each boast a complete desktop experience, an extensive ecosystem of apps, and support for [[Wayland]].
	For older computers, consider using Xfce, LXQt, or LXDE, as they consume less system resources.		For older computers, consider using Xfce, LXQt, or LXDE, as they consume less system resources.
	Users used to GNOME 2 may prefer MATE, which is a continuation of that project.		Users used to GNOME 2 may prefer MATE, which is a continuation of that project.

mok0>1686210623.2.65529 (LiamCoogan): Updated and extended the descriptions in the desktop environment section.

2023-06-08T08:24:10Z

Updated and extended the descriptions in the desktop environment section.

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:24, 8 June 2023
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	During the installation, you can select your preferred desktop environment at the [https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel Selecting and Installing Software] installation step.		During the installation, you can select your preferred desktop environment at the [https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel Selecting and Installing Software] installation step.
	By default, Debian installer will choose [https://wiki.debian.org/Gnome GNOME], however you can also select [https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce Xfce], [https://wiki.debian.org/KDE KDE Plasma], [https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=cinnamon Cinnamon], [https://wiki.debian.org/MATE MATE], [https://wiki.debian.org/LXDE LXDE] or [https://packages.debian.org/lxqt LXQt].		By default, Debian installer will choose [https://wiki.debian.org/Gnome GNOME], however you can also select [https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce Xfce], [https://wiki.debian.org/KDE KDE Plasma], [https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=cinnamon Cinnamon], [https://wiki.debian.org/MATE MATE], [https://wiki.debian.org/LXDE LXDE] or [https://packages.debian.org/lxqt LXQt].
	KDE ~~is of course~~ a ~~renowned~~, ~~heavy alternative.~~		GNOME and KDE each boast a complete desktop experience, an extensive ecosystem of apps, and support for [https://wiki.debian.org/Wayland Wayland].
	~~Xfce is a fast and light alternative~~, and ~~especially suited if you were using GNOME 2 and find GNOME 3 disappointing~~.		For older computers, consider using Xfce, LXQt, or LXDE, as they consume less system resources.
	For older computers, consider using LXDE ~~or Xfce~~, ~~because~~ they ~~are~~ less ~~resource~~-~~hungry than GNOME or KDE~~.		Users used to GNOME 2 may prefer MATE, which is a continuation of that project.
			Users transitioning from Windows may prefer Cinnamon, which provides a Windows 7-like experience.
	Or, you may choose e17 (Enlightenment), a new candidate that also features a touchscreen mode.		Or, you may choose e17 (Enlightenment), a new candidate that also features a touchscreen mode.

mok0>1686210623.2.65529 (LiamCoogan): Update desktops section to reflect the updated installer and link to all available desktops

2023-06-08T08:10:49Z

Update desktops section to reflect the updated installer and link to all available desktops

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:10, 8 June 2023
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	= Select a Desktop Environment =		= Select a Desktop Environment =

	To select ~~the~~ desktop environment ~~that~~ the debian~~-installer installs, enter "Advanced options" on the boot screen~~ and ~~scroll down to "Alternative desktop environments"~~. ~~Otherwise~~, ~~debian-~~installer will choose GNOME.		During the installation, you can select your preferred desktop environment at the [https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/ch06s03#pkgsel Selecting and Installing Software] installation step.
			By default, Debian installer will choose [https://wiki.debian.org/Gnome GNOME], however you can also select [https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce Xfce], [https://wiki.debian.org/KDE KDE Plasma], [https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=cinnamon Cinnamon], [https://wiki.debian.org/MATE MATE], [https://wiki.debian.org/LXDE LXDE] or [https://packages.debian.org/lxqt LXQt].
	KDE is of course a renowned, heavy alternative.		KDE is of course a renowned, heavy alternative.
	Xfce is a fast and light alternative, and especially suited if you were using GNOME 2 and find GNOME 3 disappointing.		Xfce is a fast and light alternative, and especially suited if you were using GNOME 2 and find GNOME 3 disappointing.

mok0>1686210623.2.65529 (LiamCoogan): Assure users of Debian 12 and later that non-free firmware will be automatically installed

2023-06-08T07:58:12Z

Assure users of Debian 12 and later that non-free firmware will be automatically installed

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:58, 8 June 2023
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	= Downloading =		= Downloading =

	~~Please refer to the [[Firmware]] Page to determine if and how you may need to download firmware for a successful installation.~~
	Official installation images are available from the Debian [http://www.debian.org/distrib/ download page].		Official installation images are available from the Debian [http://www.debian.org/distrib/ download page].
			For Debian 12 onwards, debian-installer will detect and automatically install necessary non-free firmware. For Debian 11 and earlier, please refer to the [[Firmware]] Page to determine if and how you may need to download firmware for a successful installation.

	= Select a Desktop Environment =		= Select a Desktop Environment =

mok0>1686210623.2.65529 (LiamCoogan): Remove 'Debian Mozilla Team' repository link as it appears to be unmaintained

2023-06-08T07:54:40Z

Remove 'Debian Mozilla Team' repository link as it appears to be unmaintained

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:54, 8 June 2023
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	Refer to [[DebianReleases\|Debian Releases]] for more information about the Debian versions, but the following ideas may guide your decision.		Refer to [[DebianReleases\|Debian Releases]] for more information about the Debian versions, but the following ideas may guide your decision.
	== Using (released) stable versions + security updates and selected newer backport packages? (a full distribution upgrade is made available about every two years) ==		== Using (released) stable versions + security updates and selected newer backport packages? (a full distribution upgrade is made available about every two years) ==
	Choose [[DebianStable\|Debian Stable]] if you want the computer to just work for a prolonged period of time, without the risk of new packages breaking your habits or workflow. You may still install more recent versions of selected packages~~, e.g.~~ from the [http://backports.debian.org Debian Backports] ~~and [http://mozilla.debian.net Debian Mozilla team] repositories, to get newer versions of specific programs and to always use a current web browser~~.		Choose [[DebianStable\|Debian Stable]] if you want the computer to just work for a prolonged period of time, without the risk of new packages breaking your habits or workflow. You may still install more recent versions of selected packages from the [http://backports.debian.org Debian Backports] repository.
	== Using rolling (recent) testing package versions? (distributed for public testing) ==		== Using rolling (recent) testing package versions? (distributed for public testing) ==
	If it is important to you to have recent versions of ''all'' the installed software continuously rolling onto your desktop or laptop, and you are fine with constantly downloading and installing updates that may stir up a bug every once in a while, you may choose [[DebianTesting\|Debian Testing]].		If it is important to you to have recent versions of ''all'' the installed software continuously rolling onto your desktop or laptop, and you are fine with constantly downloading and installing updates that may stir up a bug every once in a while, you may choose [[DebianTesting\|Debian Testing]].

mok0>1498762533.54.43738 (Average-User-Prototype) at 20:42, 21 August 2017

2017-08-21T20:42:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 21 August 2017
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	You can create a backup of your complete system installation state with apt-clone.		You can create a backup of your complete system installation state with apt-clone.
	= See also =		= See also =
	* [[SecurePersonalComputer]], another similar guide -----		* [[SetupGuides/SecurePersonalComputer]], another similar guide -----
	[[Category:Quick]]		[[Category:Quick]]