Debian 6.0.6 install (new user questions)

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-16-2013, 08:44 AM

So ive got rid of windows and gone to debian 6.0.6 (Big changes for me here with me been so used to windows OS's) but I hope I can get allong with it

(why did I swtich well I have to say the steam move to linux made me switch, I was on about switching for years but never did)

Anyway!

Question's time (oh and sorry if I sound like a idiot because I know close to zero about linux OS's)

1. When I open the home shortcut it opens in the top left hand of the screen everytime how can I get all windows to remmber where I last had them open?

2. my second screen is not working, it is just black/off

3. (windows got me stuck with this one) Is there anyway I can move the 'Apps,places,system and the system tray to the bottom left like windows has ? and get rid of that top bar?

4.I downloaded chrome and it just opened in what looks to be a Zip/rar type of file? So I am guessing installing programs is alot different
https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/g...rent_amd64.deb

5. Prob loads more questions coming Sorry!

My old desktop looked like this
http://xencored.deviantart.com/art/D...2013-349556022

I was hoping to get something along the same as that

Cheers! and sorry for the noob questions!

Mike

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-16-2013, 08:48 AM

Oh and how can I run in root all the time? (which I know is bad!)
also how can I have the num lock to be on by default?

ButterflyMelissa · 02-16-2013, 09:02 AM

Hey there!

First of: good move to use Linux, and welcome to the pack!!!

Quote:

I downloaded chrome and it just opened in what looks to be a Zip/rar type of file? So I am guessing installing programs is alot different

...it is different, that is the least you can say, but, once you're used to it, you're sold. OKay, a tarball possibly holds a self-standing program, read: a program you can run directly without installation. Programs do not (usually) install all sorts of stuff into the OS. An example: blender3d. You can download it, untar it somewhere...and run the thing. All the settings are kept in your user space. Convenient, eh?

Cool desktop...I use XFCE, so, I may not be able to help there...

Quote:

Is there anyway I can move the 'Apps,places,system and the system tray to the bottom left like windows has

This depends on what your DE allows you to do. Linux is a layered thing. All the way on top is the program (anything at all) "carried" by the Desktop Environment. Some, like XFCE, allow you to customise just about everything...it may just be a choice of DE, I guess. Linux is about choice, YOU choose your desktop, not de vendor. Mimicing ***dows fully...may not really be a must...there will always be differences, you know....

Quote:

Prob loads more questions coming Sorry!

Dont apologise, asking questions is what this place is all about.

By the way, the BEST (and by far the safest) way to install software is to use the REPO...(yes, a lot of new words here, I know

) ... every distro (Debian is a distro, so is Ubuntu, or Arch...) has a repository (a repo for short) of software for you. It's checked and fine tuned for your system. The installation happens for you. However...want to install soething by hand? Okay, this can be done as well...

- Open a console
- become root

Quote:

su - [enter] and supply the password

- enter this

Quote:

apt-get install [the_program]

If it's not in the repo, you'll read that in the console...

Keep the questions comming, okay??

Thor
Edit

Quote:

Oh and how can I run in root all the time? (which I know is bad!)

DONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, you dont need to. If you do need to "tinker" with the system, entering the root pass is the safest way to go, otherwise, you're vulnerable to all attacks possible...believe me. Besides, no modern system will allow you to log in as Root...safe perhaps some specialised distros...

goumba · 02-16-2013, 09:15 AM

Sorry I don't have an answer for (1) although I know it is possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vodkaholic1983

2. my second screen is not working, it is just black/off

By second screen, do you mean Workspace, or console (via Ctrl+Alt+2)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vodkaholic1983

3. (windows got me stuck with this one) Is there anyway I can move the 'Apps,places,system and the system tray to the bottom left like windows has ? and get rid of that top bar?

I'm guess you are running Squeeze as was installed, and therefore GNOME 2.3X. To move the panel to the bottom of the screen, right click an EMPTY area of the panel, select Properties, then a dialog box will pop up with properties you can change, one of which is which area of the screen to display the panel in. Change that to "Bottom".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vodkaholic1983

4.I downloaded chrome and it just opened in what looks to be a Zip/rar type of file? So I am guessing installing programs is alot different
https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/g...rent_amd64.deb

To install a .deb file from a trustworthy source, use the following:

Code:

dpkg -i <filename>

So your command for the above becomes:

Code:

dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

As Thor stated, repos make things much easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vodkaholic1983

My old desktop looked like this
http://xencored.deviantart.com/art/D...2013-349556022

For the dock you can install Cairo-Diock. The other stuff maybe Screenlets or Conky will be of interest to you.

And as for running as root all the time, I have to reiterate Thor's DON'T! However there are times I find running sudo with the shell option for multiple commands, but for the most part, sudo each command, and be done with it.

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-16-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor_2.0

Hey there!

First of: good move to use Linux, and welcome to the pack!!!

...it is different, that is the least you can say, but, once you're used to it, you're sold. OKay, a tarball possibly holds a self-standing program, read: a program you can run directly without installation. Programs do not (usually) install all sorts of stuff into the OS. An example: blender3d. You can download it, untar it somewhere...and run the thing. All the settings are kept in your user space. Convenient, eh?

Cool desktop...I use XFCE, so, I may not be able to help there...

This depends on what your DE allows you to do. Linux is a layered thing. All the way on top is the program (anything at all) "carried" by the Desktop Environment. Some, like XFCE, allow you to customise just about everything...it may just be a choice of DE, I guess. Linux is about choice, YOU choose your desktop, not de vendor. Mimicing ***dows fully...may not really be a must...there will always be differences, you know....

Dont apologise, asking questions is what this place is all about.

By the way, the BEST (and by far the safest) way to install software is to use the REPO...(yes, a lot of new words here, I know

) ... every distro (Debian is a distro, so is Ubuntu, or Arch...) has a repository (a repo for short) of software for you. It's checked and fine tuned for your system. The installation happens for you. However...want to install soething by hand? Okay, this can be done as well...

- Open a console
- become root

- enter this

If it's not in the repo, you'll read that in the console...

Keep the questions comming, okay??

Thor
Edit

DONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, you dont need to. If you do need to "tinker" with the system, entering the root pass is the safest way to go, otherwise, you're vulnerable to all attacks possible...believe me. Besides, no modern system will allow you to log in as Root...safe perhaps some specialised distros...

Thanks for the info Thor
I will not run as root than.

Ive just installed chromium from the 'software center' was that the right way to do it?
I hope I can snyc all my old settings from chrome to chromium

How would one go about changing the look of the desktop than? This must be my first step I think get a hold of what I know and go from there as I (really don't like that top bar)

I have no sound atm but I watched this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo38vnYI8ek

and I 'Think' something called KDE ? that desktop he had on looked a great starter one to me! Can I get that ? (He didn't show how he got onto it so am stuck and with no sound heh hard to guess)

Cheers

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-16-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goumba

By second screen, do you mean Workspace, or console (via Ctrl+Alt+2)?

Awesome thanks for the info also!

as for number 2
My screen looks like it's off nothing it working I tryed to take a photo with my cam but my SD dock is not working also >.> not for much luck here

I also got this running the commands and using 'su' as you said

Code:

xencored@Xencored:~$ su
Password: 
root@Xencored:/home/xencored# dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
dpkg: error processing google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb (--install):
 cannot access archive: No such file or directory
Errors were encountered while processing:
 google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
root@Xencored:/home/xencored#

Also yes cronky looks perfect! I was using rainmeter and this looks the same

cheers

Is there an update program like on windows? so It can find all my drivers etc... ?

Yes it is Squeeze from this about page

goumba · 02-16-2013, 09:38 AM

To install that package, you would have to run [b]sudo dpkg -i <file>[/i] from the same directory as the file.

Yes, you are running GNOME, the default in Squeeze. You can install KDE as well if you choose. Either way both are older versions as Squeeze is the last stable version and it uses the most stable software when it was released (going on 3 years now I think).

For the updates, just check under Applications > System > Update Manager.

As for the moenu moving to the bottom, as I said right click the top panel and choose Properties. Select to display at the bottom. You should also be able to choose the other panel (the one with the 'tasklist') and delete it. Now right click an empty area again on the first panel, choose "Add to Panel" and find the tasklist. And done.

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-16-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goumba

To install that package, you would have to run [b]sudo dpkg -i <file>[/i] from the same directory as the file.

Yup did it before I read this post yay learning ~Slow~

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by goumba

Yes, you are running GNOME, the default in Squeeze. You can install KDE as well if you choose. Either way both are older versions as Squeeze is the last stable version and it uses the most stable software when it was released (going on 3 years now I think).

Oh so this is an old one? I thought it was the most upto date one. Is it worth me even messing with it? if I should be installing the most resent one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by goumba

For the updates, just check under Applications > System > Update Manager.

I don't seem to have it there Goumba (see screeny)

Quote:

Originally Posted by goumba

As for the moenu moving to the bottom, as I said right click the top panel and choose Properties. Select to display at the bottom. You should also be able to choose the other panel (the one with the 'tasklist') and delete it. Now right click an empty area again on the first panel, choose "Add to Panel" and find the tasklist. And done.

I'll try this in a minute than thanks

snowday · 02-16-2013, 10:39 AM

Squeeze is the current Debian Stable; it is a fine choice for users who enjoy stable, well-tested, slightly older software. Of course there is a Live CD so you can test-drive before you install, to determine if it is the right operating system for your needs. I am surprised you did not keep Windows in a "dual boot" situation so that you can fall back to a familiar operating system while you are learning your way around Linux.

goumba · 02-16-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vodkaholic1983

I don't seem to have it there Goumba (see screeny)

D'oh, Gnome 2.30... check under that System menu.

goumba · 02-16-2013, 11:02 AM

[deleted]

chrism01 · 02-16-2013, 06:21 PM

Re post #6

Code:

# this logs you in as root BUT
# with your orig env
su

# use this, which adds root's env as well
su -

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-17-2013, 06:55 AM

Thanks guys

It's coming along nice

chrism01 · 02-17-2013, 06:25 PM

Just to be on the safe side, I'd like to point out my previous post was a technical point. As per good advice above, only use this when absolutely required; do not run as root normally

Vodkaholic1983 · 02-18-2013, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrism01

Just to be on the safe side, I'd like to point out my previous post was a technical point. As per good advice above, only use this when absolutely required; do not run as root normally

yea I am running it as a normal user on that computers thanks for the help!