Net Install with Just Gnome

[Noah0504]

I'm going to do a net install of Debian 3.1. I've done a previous installation, and everything went smoothly. However, I choose to install a desktop enviorment, and I get stuck with both Gnome and KDE. My personal favorite is Gnome. I like its simple look and its speed. How can I install just Gnome? I don't want to get stuck with the many KDE applications and libraries that get installed as a result of selecting to install a desktop environment. Is there anyway to just select Gnome?

[oz]

I haven't installed Debian in a few months now, but this worked the last time I installed it...

Don't select any desktop during the netinstall.

After the base system and x-window-system are installed, run the command:

apt-get install gnome

That should do it.

[Noah0504]

I haven't installed Debian in a few months now, but this worked the last time I installed it...

Don't select any desktop during the netinstall.

After the base system and x-window-system are installed, run the command:

apt-get install gnome

That should do it.

Thanks! Also, if I maybe wanted to eventually do the same thing with KDE, I could use the same method?

[oz]

Yes, it works the same way.

You can go further with it and pick only certain parts of Gnome or KDE that you want to install, but you'll have to decide exactly what you want before doing that. Just using the term Gnome or KDE basically gives you all of it.

You can see all the "stable" Debian packages here:

http://packages.debian.org/stable/

There's a link to see "all the packages" on one page toward the bottom of the webpage.

Hope this helps...

[Noah0504]

Thanks a million!

[St. Joe]

You'll still need to install gdm if you want a GUI login
Just installing 'gnome' via apt-get won't bring in that package.

# apt-get install gdm

[oz]

You do get a GUI login with XDM (that's what I use) which is installed with the x-window-system, but it's not very pretty to look at unless you doctor it up. GDM is definitely the choice of the majority of Gnome users.

If I remember correctly, KDM is installed by default when you install KDE.

[Noah0504]

Okay, I'll be sure to do that.

I'm actually putting some more thought into it. I was pretty sure that I wanted to use Gnome, but KDE has some applications that I really like. I know I can just install the KDE libraries, but I never really have the same experience with the application...but maybe that's just me.

What do you guys think?

[Dapper Dan]

On the net install I did on my two Debian boxes, I just installed everything and have Gnome and Kde. Everything works well!

[oz]

Noah... this link shows some Gnome options/info using aptitude, rather than apt-get but I think you'll get the idea:

http://wiki.debian.net/?DebianGnome

...and here's a link with some Debian/KDE install options:

http://wiki.debian.net/?KdeDebInstall

I've used both quite a bit (but use neither of them anymore) and they both have their good and bad points. I personally prefer KDE slightly over Gnome, but that's just me. I also like vanilla ice cream better than chocolate, but that doesn't mean vanilla is the best.

Good luck, and have fun with it!