What beginning packages to install for debian?
 

Hi, I have recently installed debian and everything seems to be going great...I really love the os. However, I think that maybe I am missing key software. It seems as though everything I try and install I get some new error. When I installed debian, I did the minimal install then used apt-get to get x windows, gnome, and some other stuff. I apt-getted the linux sources too. Is there any software that I need to just use debian, because just about everything that I try and install (other than with apt-get) doesn't work. I get some new error every time that is impossible to figure out. Currently I just tried to install some dvd software and it says it cannot identify gtk version, but there have been other programs that have compiled okay. There is always some new problem with trying to install software.

Anyways, do you guys have suggestions for what prerequisits (spelling?) are required to run a basic debian system? I'm pretty frustrated and considering giving it up.

Thank you for your help,
chris

Try searching for the app you want in Debian packages first "Search package directories" http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages#search_packages
if you can't find it try looking at www.apt-get.org

Hi,
When I installed debian, I did the minimal install then used apt-get to get x windows, gnome, and some other stuff. I apt-getted the linux sources too.

Problem is, I don't think that unless you know exactly what you need and what you do it is such a good idea

to begin with a minimal install. You end with missing software that is installed by default when you choose

desktop environment for a netinstall, for instance. It is always easier to get rid of what you don't need than to

find out what libraries are necessary to install such or such new program. All this of course, provided you have

enough space on your harddrive. Check the 'apt-get how-to', there are options to track down missing dependencies..

Don't give up so easily.

cheers

install synaptic, alien and dpkg with apt-get...................now you can convert rpm, tar, or whatever to debian package using alien..........then install the package with dpkg.................debian will keep track of the package installed........you can browse the package history with synaptic