CoolHipDude here. Howdy, folkz!

I am a Linux noob. And I am not afraid to say that.

I have just managed to get my new Mac Mini to triple-boot into Mac OS X, Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) and Debian Linux v. 6.0.4 (Squeeze) successfully, with Mac OS X and Windows 7 in their own 350 Gb partitions on the internal hard disk in the Mac Mini and Debian Linux 6.0.4 on the external Western Digital 500 Gb USB hard disk.

The only problem is, after installation, I could not get online to the Internet because during the installation of Debian Linux, the DHCP automatic configuration did not work. The Network Manager applet in the top-right corner of the screen says "No Network Connections". But, by manually creating a new network connection (entering the IPv4 address, the DHCP client ID, the net mask and the gateway) in 'Network Connections' and the primary + secondary DNS servers in 'Network Tools', I have somehow managed to get the Ephihany web browser to be able to connect to the Internet, proudly displaying the Debian, BBC, Demon Internet and Virgin Media websites despite the Network Manager applet still maintaining "No Network Connections".

How the f**k to I fix this???!?!?!

When I was setting up the network connection, I had to leave the 'MAC Address:' box blank, because if I try to put in the MAC address of the Ethernet network interface card in the Mac Mini, the 'Apply' button gets disabled but if I leave the 'MAC Address:' box blank, the 'Apply' button is still usable. What the f**k is with that??!?!?!??

I don't want to know f**k all about arcane Unix / Linux terminal commands that I have to read through pages of textual blah blah blah (with no pictures) in order to learn anything remotely useful. All I am interested in is getting Debian Linux to work exactly the same way as Mac OS X and Windows 7, i.e. point, click and enter the relevant info in the appropiate boxes. Nothing more than that.

It seems that I can't install anything because of this, especially Stellarium and Gambas which I would so dearly love to on my new Debian system.

I have Network Manager v. 0.8.1.6 (which came as part of the Debian 6.0.4 package), but the current version is 0.9.4. How the f**k do I upgrade to 0.9.4????? I have tried a few times, with no success, and although I have tried hitting the 'Reload' button in the ........... Package Manager (can't remember the name), it still reports v. 0.8.1.6 as being the most current version.

I somehow seem to have removed the Network Manager applet from the top right corner of the screen because it was pissing me off. How the f**k do I bring it back to the top-right corner of the screen, in case I change my mind? The Network Manager applet doesn't seem to be in the list of panel items to install in the top right corner of the screen.

How the hell do I set the screen resolution to 1920 x 1080 instead of whatever it has been set to??? And how do I install packages in Debian Linux???

How do I create new menu groups/sub-groups, delete menu groups/sub-groups, edit menu groups/sub-gropus, move items from one menu group/sub-group to another??? i.e. move all Open Office programs from the general 'Office' menu group into the 'Open Office' menu sub-group, that sort of thing.

Is there a dock applet for Debian, that lets me create folders and set up shortcuts to installed programs in these folders, which functions the same way as Rocket Dock for Windows, similar to the dock thing in Mac OS X?

Thax in advance for your help.


CHD

The Debian wiki should answer your questions about day-to-day usage of Debian.

http://wiki.debian.org/FrontPage

As regards your network connection, I fear I cannot offer any assistance because it would require asking you to run a few commands at the command line, such as ifconfig and cat /etc/network/interfaces and posting the output here, being sure to surround it with "code" tags which become available when you click "Go Advanced" at the bottom of the "Quick Reply" box.

As an afterthought, I must say it seems to me somewhat uncool and unhip to come into a volunteer community and request assistance in a manner that is rather--er--arbitrary.

Then the attitude of the rest of your post will get you nowhere in Linux, be it Debian or otherwise.

That's the nice thing about Linux, you learn a lot. But you must be willing to read. Did you not read in order to learn to use Windows and Mac OSX?


I had this exact problem, got rid of the 'No network connection' error' by deleting the default eth0 and creating a new connection, just as you did.

Go post it on the Debian forums.

Where are you seeing version 0.9.4 listed. The current version for the package named 'networg-manager' is 0.8.1-6-squeeze1.

The GUI package manager is called Synaptic. The package management system is called 'dpkg'.

I don't have screenshots, but if you can follow simple instructions, do this:
On the main menu, click on System, then Preferences. Now double-click on 'Startup Applications'. Double-clicking on a menu item opens it. On the box labelled 'Additional startup applications', scroll down to the item labelled 'Network Manager'. Click on the square box to the left of it. Clicking on the square box, causes an 'X' to be placed inside the box. This indicate the item is selected. The next time you restart, the Network Manager applet's icon will be displayed.


Again, I don't have screenshots. Click on System and then Preferences. Noe double-click on the 'Monitors' item. Select your resolution from the [Resolution combo box.

I still ain't got no screenshots. Click on System, then Preferences. Now double-click on 'Main Menu'. Noe set your menu to your heart's desire.

There are several docks for Debian. Again, if you read and utilize the free services of Google search, you just might find one that suits your need.

It's in the Debian repos.

Again, read and utilize the services of Google search. You will find that help will be more forthcoming if you show a desire to help yourself fist.

You should be perfectly happy with Mac and Windows. Command line is considered non-existent and both systems are loaded with pictures. Really, there is no reason for you to want Linux installed.

jlinkels

CHD

Whether I am happy with Mac and Windows or not, is my business not yours nor anyone's, and whether there is any reason for me to have Linux installed on my Mac or not is also my business, not yours or anyone's either.

If Debian is supposed to be the most reliable and stable OS, then it should be possible to do everything via GUI without resorting to terminal commands.

The problem with all current Linux documentation is that they seem to be aimed at Linux experts/nerds/geeks, not Linux noobs, and how can a Linux noob expect
to find information that is relevant to all Linux noobs, with pictures illustrating step-by-step processes, to give them a gentle introduction to Linux, i.e. "Linux 101".

"A picture is worth a thousand words."


CHD

Sorry, but I fail to see how the stability and reliability of an OS is related to GUI tools.
Actually, if you want to have a distro that is aimed at beginners then you should choose one that is aimed at beginners, like Mepis, Mint or PCLinuxOS. Debian's aim is not to make a GUI tool for everything.

The first step would be to choose an appropriate distro. If you want GUI everything then go for the distros mentioned above, there are also literally hundreds of howto's for different things with pictures, if you want so. Funny that you are demanding these howto's for a gentle introduction to Linux, but doesn't seem to have used something like that for Windows or MacOS. You would be the first user of an OS that was born with the knowledge how to work with that OS.
Informing about the OS that you want to use is crucial in the first place, before installing the OS.
If you would have done that for Debian questions like wouldn't have to be asked by you or answered by the volunteers here (short answer: versions in Debian Stable never change, if you want something newer don't use Debian Stable or use backports).