How do I set up a web browser in Debian Squeeze?

Nbiser · 12-05-2012, 07:34 PM

I am using Debian squeeze on one of my laptops. According to apropos I have sensible-browser, but if I try to run that program it says that it couldn't find a suitable web browser, it then tells me to set the BROWSER environment variable to my desired browser. How do I set this variable? Thanks!

frankbell · 12-05-2012, 08:29 PM

I ran apropos browser in BASH and saw sensible-browser, so I ran sensible-browser and it opened a new page in my running browser (Opera).

I ran man sensible-browser, and it told me to see the following for the environment variables:

Code:

man 7 environ

It's not clear about where to set them, but the trail seems to lead to /etc/environment, which, in my system, is empty.

According to this link, Debian does not use that file (see section 5.4).

My advice would be to let well enough alone.

sag47 · 12-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nbiser

I am using Debian squeeze on one of my laptops. According to apropos I have sensible-browser, but if I try to run that program it says that it couldn't find a suitable web browser, it then tells me to set the BROWSER environment variable to my desired browser. How do I set this variable? Thanks!

If you're using bash then you edit ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile depending on how you're accessing the system. Read the bash man page to find out more about what those two files mean. e.g. type "man bash" in the terminal and use Q to quit.

As an example if you wanted to use the lynx browser then you would add the following to one of those files.

Code:

#example 1
BROWSER="lynx"
export BROWSER

#example 2
export BROWSER="lynx"

You don't normally set the variable in /etc/profile unless it's a value you wish to set for every user on the system.

SAM

Nbiser · 12-06-2012, 05:00 PM

I'll address frankbell's comment first. On my system the /etc/environment is also empty. To address sag47's comment, I tried to edit these the files that you referenced me to (both were originally empty) in nano but this didn't give me any success. In case it helps, I don't have X installed nor do I have an internet connection on the PC right now. Thank you all for your help!