Debian (low-fat)

niki · 12-14-2004, 12:19 PM

I would like a Debian distro without all the luggage, don't need Open Office, and prefer Gnome over KDE. Is there any distro that lets you pre-select the software packets before you install. Last and most importantly, it must be newbie friendly. Thanks in advance for any advice.

darkleaf · 12-14-2004, 01:18 PM

You can just run the install. Then after the reboot it will start asking you about what you're going to use your PC for. Hit cancel till you're at the command line. Now you can login. Use "apt-setup" to add internet and/or CD to the package list or add it to the package list manually. Now use apt-get to install the packages you want.

You can install gnome then with:
"apt-get install gnome"

niki · 12-14-2004, 03:05 PM

..... your talking about Debian, which one (version) should I install, woody, sarge, etc.... thanks.

comprookie2000 · 12-14-2004, 06:59 PM

This works great;
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
Here is the FAQ:
http://wiki.debian.net/?DebianInstallerFAQ
Have fun

niki · 12-14-2004, 07:09 PM

thanks for the replies, i'll give Debian a try ... hope I don't mess up

jens · 12-14-2004, 07:26 PM

I coudn't help noticing:

Quote:

I would like a Debian distro without all the luggage, don't need Open Office, and prefer Gnome over KDE. Is there any distro that lets you pre-select the software packets before you install. Last and most importantly, it must be newbie friendly. Thanks in advance for any advice.

*Debian Based
*Gnome as default
*Easy to use

Sounds a lot like Ubuntu Linux
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/

...just in case you find the original Debian a little hard to start your Debian career.

niki · 12-17-2004, 08:08 AM

I did mess up! ...

I think the debian install is for people with more linux experience than me. I used the .... sarge-i386-netinst.iso and got the base program installed no problems, then I followed the question & answers and set up a net connection, email, apt-get ...etc, still no problems. then I installed gnome using apt-get. When I rebooted I thought the gnome desktop would load but it didn't , I was back at the command prompt (I tried startx, startx gdm, and all manner of vague commands but no still desktop ... and to be absolutely honest I have no idea if X had even been installed ... hehe! I said I was a newbie.) To cut a long story short I grabbed the ubuntu iso, and installed it instead. I've kept the sarge-i386-netinst.iso for a time in the future when I know what I'm doing. ....as for ubuntu .... I'm lovin it!

comprookie2000 · 12-17-2004, 11:08 AM

You are almost there; do a apt-get install x-window-system then;
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86 then read this;
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=224547

niki · 12-17-2004, 02:52 PM

@comprookie2000 ... happy xmas!

I had internet connection, email setup, apt-get was working, and gnome was installed, but I was stuck using CLI... will these 2 commands get me to the gnome desktop ... I'm pretty sure if I can get there I'll be ok and promise to read the complete contents of the British Library!

"apt-get install x-window-system"

..then

"dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86"

then what .. any specific commands or just re-boot into gnome.

thanks.

darkleaf · 12-17-2004, 04:06 PM

There might still be one thing and that's that you need to install a driver for your videocard but I'm not sure. But try out if it works now

You can try to start with "gdm" which will load the desktop manager. Then you can login.

To start gnome directly you can type "startx". If you go this way and you exit gnome you'll be back at the command line. If you use "gdm" you'll be back in the gdm menu.

niki · 12-17-2004, 04:40 PM

Ok I will try again, I still have the debian partition set up on my hard drive .... I'll let you know tomorrow how I get on, thanks for the help.

comprookie2000 · 12-17-2004, 05:36 PM

Print out /boot/grub/menu.lst from ubuntu then if you want install grub to the mbr from debian and copy the ubuntu /boot/grub/menu.lst to the end of the debian /boot/grub/menu.lst and you can duel boot both of them.It takes a few times to get use to it,you did great,also print out a copy of ubuntu's /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 as it may help with setting up xfree. also if you use a ps2 scroll mouse you may need to change;

Code:

 
    Identifier	"Mouse1"
    Driver	"mouse"
    Option "Protocol"    "IMPS/2"
    Option "Device"      "/dev/psaux"
    Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"

niki · 12-18-2004, 04:40 AM

I'ts done!
installed X, installed gnome, logged-in and I'm up and running. Ps2 mouse is ok, even my sound card was configured during the install. Many thanks to everyone in this thread who helped me and gave advice, ... now I'm off to grab some software, ....merry Xmas everyone

muxman · 12-20-2004, 06:05 PM

I prefer debian myself, and once setup I think it's a very newbie friendly distro, but the setup, if you want specific options followed like you are looking for, does require some experience and/or knowledge. Overall a great distro.

I think you'll like it. I was sold on it as soon as I saw apt-get in use.