nujinini

Dear Everyone,

Greetings!

I downloaded and successfully installed debian-502-i386-kde-CD-1.iso in one of my partitions. I was quite surprised that the desktop was quite different from the usual desktops I have in my three other partitions (fedora/mint/xp). I can't seem to find tool bars and the other things such as preferences/software manager/package manager/firefox etc.

This experience is really very new to me in my own journey to explore and understand the world of linux more. I would really appreciate if somebody can enlighten me regarding the above. I did some reading and I think I have to install all of of these things I need by myself? I don't know if I understand it correctly but just in case, may I also ask for help on how to do it? Meaning to make my debian desktop look "complete" plus wireless?

I really want to have it as part of my partitions since I read that it is a very stable distro.

Thanks in advance as usual for any help!

CHEERIOS!

jackdaws

It could be that you are using KDE as a desktop environment for the first time. Its quite different to Gnome, but easy to get used to. Also, the live CD contains only a small proportion of the 25,000+ packages available from Debian, so things that you have used before may not be there. Try the DVD version (one DVD is enough to get started for most users).

As for firefox, Debian considers it non-free, and doesn't install it by default. Instead Debian uses a browser called Iceweasel, which is to all intents and purposes the same as (and as good as) firefox. That may or may not be provided by the live CD. If not, either use Konqueror, or download the first DVD.

Preferences are reached via the K menu at the bottom left-hand corner of your desktop. The program is called "system settings", and is in the "system" sub-menu. The package manager that Debian recommends is Aptitude, available from a command line, by typing "aptitude". Remember that you'll need to work as root to install anything (type su at the command prompt, followed by your root password).

Debian isn't as easy for beginners as some distros, but in the long run it is (in my opinion) far better, particularly for those who want to really get the most out of what linux has to offer. Just keep experimenting, and read the reference manual.

nujinini

Hello,

Thank you so much for your reply. I was really thinking on giving up on my Debian partition but I was really encouraged by your sharing. Indeed, I find Debian to be a little complicated for beginners like me but in my journey to learn more of Linux, I have come to consider every difficulty encountered as a challenge and an opportunity to learn something new.

Again, thank you. By the way, do you happen to know some sites that givess free online debian basics lessons? or tips?

nujinini

Hello Everyone,

Just want to update that I was having a problem with my KDE Debian installation because I was doing it while I was not connected to the internet.

After three fresh installations and tried to be connected to the net on the third time by cable, it gave an option to download all the basics. So after the third reinstall it downloaded all the basic things I expect of a Linux desktop. (about 2 hours)

I usually make installations without the net and update afterwards on cable. My Debian CD wanted to do everything at the same time

So now everything is doing fine!