Friend using another distro wanted to install Debian and looking for similar GUI.


1. I am using apt-get
Q. Is there a gui alternative, like the one used in Mint?


2. Encrypted home partition using crypttab, reusable during reinstallation/upgrade.
Q. How to create a encrypted home partition during Debian installation?


3. Install Debian using netinst cd all this while.
Q. Any idea if Debian has a Live CD (KDE) that comes with an installation option?

the gui for apt-get would be synaptic, not sure about the others

A search engine is your friend. I would not have KDE on my box if you paid me. I did, in abour 45 seconds, find this with my search engine;
http://pkg-kde.alioth.debian.org/kde4livecd.html

Have no idea if it works.

The live CD for Squeeze from Debian (Gnome) works and I think it will install. I did not let it when it got down to it as I always install with the netinstall image.

The Debian web-site is large. Occasionally, finding things requires a little searching, but everything is there. Follow the links to "Debian Live Project." It has this quote;

"A Debian Live system is a Debian operating system that does not require a classical installer to use it. It comes on various media, including CD-ROM, USB sticks, or via netboot. Why Debian Live?
Although the Debian Live project is about the framework to create your own customized Live system, we offer some prebuilt images. Currently, builds for four desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, LXDE, and Xfce) as well as the standard system and for rescue purposes are available."

Another alternative would be to do a stock install of Debian, then install KDE and use it as the desktop.

I think this how to will help you with encryption:
http://www.debianuserforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=460

Hi, i love kde. In the normal install 1st dvd, it will by default use gnome with no obvious option to choose a different de. Here's how you do. Insert and load install dvd. When you're at the menu where you select install, graphical install, advance options, ect. Choose advance options, then choose alternative desktop environments, and then select the one you like, and it'll go back to the screen with install, ect and then just select install as normal, and it will install as normal but with your selected de instead of gnome.

I cant remember if mint uses synaptic (like frieza suggested) or software center. No matter, both of them are installable with debian. I much prefer synaptic myself.

Thanks all for the advise.

After actually trying our all the options,
finally decided to give up the GUI idea and do it the not so GUI way:

- install Debian using netinst cd
- apt-get install xorg, kde-plasma-desktop and friends
- home partition manually setup using crypttab/luks
- aptitude in konsole for all installs and update
- update-notifier-common, installed just in case.