I have installed Debian 8 several times. (Normally I use Ubuntu MATE.) I can't ever get past installing sudo, since I'm not root. If I could conquer that, I'd like the idea of using Deb instead of Ubuntu. Any clear (no gaps) counsel?

Hi,

To install sudo (or anything else) you need to log in as root in the terminal using the su command. Then you need to set up your system to use sudo. Check this wiki link for more information on how to do it.

Oh, and welcome to LQ!

OK. I'll check out the link. Tnx very much.

Some other useful links:
https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual
https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/
https://wiki.debian.org/
https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-handbook/
https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/

The answers to most questions you may encounter can be found in the documentation. For sudo in particular, you will need to enable and configure it, if you need it. Otherwise log into the root account to do administrative tasks. Enter su, then the password when prompted. The $ will change to a #, meaning you are using the root account. When finished your administrative tasks, log out with the word exit.

OK. Tnx very much.

I think if you use the alternate installer it gives the option of installing with no root account enabled -- so it's set up just like Ubuntu. I don't recall exactly which installer it is though, sorry, but I know I've seen it on a Debian installer.

Well, that would make good sense for a home user with no server or network. I'll look for the optional installer...

I got the option to leave the root password unset (and, thus, install a system that uses sudo "ITMOTB", i. e., "In The Manner Of The 'Buntus") when I installed Debian 8 from the XFCE CD 1, without having to hunt for some kind of an alternate installer.

You do have to pay attention to the text that gets displayed when you arrive at the step to set the password, though, or you will miss the option to leave the root password unset.

I seem to remember that this option was already present in the Debian 7 installer (even though I could be wrong), but I'm pretty sure that earlier releases didn't have it.

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Yes, previous versions would enable sudo during installation if a root password was not entered (resulting in a system that used Ubuntu-style sudo abuse). It was not explained during installation, because it was assumed a root password would be entered and if sudo was needed, it would be enabled and configured properly.

Ah, that was it was it? It's been a few months since I installed on this machine and I don't recall which installer I used.