Difference between revisions of "Debian"

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[[File:Debian-logo.svg|100px|right]][http://www.debian.org/intro/about Debian] is a free operating system using the [http://www.kernel.org Linux kernel], but most of the basic OS tools come from the [http://www.gnu.org GNU project]; hence the name GNU/Linux. At Organic Design we install Debian on our [[server]]s using the [[install a new server]] [[procedure]], and have been using it for over ten years.
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[[File:Debian-logo.svg|100px|right]][http://www.debian.org/intro/about Debian] is a free operating system using the [http://www.kernel.org Linux kernel], but most of the basic OS tools come from the [http://www.gnu.org GNU project]; hence the name GNU/Linux. At Organic Design we install Debian on our [[server]]s using the [[install a new server]] [[procedure]], and have been using it since around 2005.
  
As of June 2013 we decided to change from [[Ubuntu]] to Debian for our workstations as well since Ubuntu is increasingly becoming the "microsoft of the free software world" with pay software and services at every corner and [http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/ubuntu-spyware-what-to-do compulsory spyware] riddled throughout system.
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In June 2013 we decided to change from [[Ubuntu]] to Debian for our workstations as well since Ubuntu is increasingly becoming the "microsoft of the free software world" with pay software and services at every corner and [http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/ubuntu-spyware-what-to-do compulsory spyware] riddled throughout system, see [[Debian legacy issues]] for notes about various issues and solutions encountered back then. But then in early 2014 we changed to [[Linux Mint]] for our workstation machines, mainly due to the fact that they're very up to date with their choice of Linux kernel version which allowed me to use my touch-screen on my [[Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro (XE700T1C)]] and fixed a long-standing bug on Beth's [[Lenovo Ideapad S10-3]] which prevented it from resuming from standby. As of mid 2019 we've moved back to Debian again because Mint's Cinnamon desktop is stuck on an insecure path through its dependence on Xorg whereas most desktop managers are now moving to the more secure and slim [[w:Wayland (display server protocol)|Wayland]] display server. With the recent release of Debian 10, I decided to move back and give it a try!
  
As of early 2024 we've changed to [[Linux Mint]] for our workstation machines, mainly due to the fact that they're very up to date with their choice of Linux kernel version which allowed me to use my touch-screen on my [[Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro (XE700T1C)]] and fixed a long-standing bug on Beth's [[Lenovo Ideapad S10-3]] which prevented it from resuming from standby.
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== Gnome3 extensions and addons ==
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[[File:Gnome3 on Debian10.jpg|right|600px]]I don't really like Gnome much, I prefer Cinnamon, but the problem is that Cinnamon is not very secure since it's stuck on the old xorg desktop manager. Here are some things that can be done after installing a Gnome3 based system to make it a bit more familiar.
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* install the gnome icon color packages via apt
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* install the following Gnome extensions:
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1160/dash-to-panel/ Dash to Panel] ''- makes a proper panel with favourite and loaded apps''
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/608/gnomenu/ Gno Menu] ''- adds a good menu to the panel''
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/615/appindicator-support/ KStatusNotifierItem/AppIndicator Support] ''- adds the familar background app status icons to the panel''
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/800/remove-dropdown-arrows/ Remove Dropdown Arrows] ''- removes ugly dropdown menu arrows from the panel''
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/355/status-area-horizontal-spacing/ Status Horizonal Spacing] ''- removes excessive spacing between icons in the panel''
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** [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1112/screenshot-tool/ Screenshot Tool] ''- adds screenshot tool to panel''
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* use the Tweaks utility to change icon colours, add an applications menu and window buttons and configure extensions, remove extensions [https://extensions.gnome.org/local/ here].
  
== Installation ==
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== Issues & gotchas ==
[[File:Bad Windows and Ubuntu.svg|200px|right]]Installation is covered [http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/apas02.html.en here] and for our typical situation involves downloading the first of the [http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/7.8.0/amd64/iso-dvd/ amd64 DVD iso images] and copying it onto a memory stick using the following commands from a root shell where X is the number of the device that the USB stick is on which can be obtained from ''dmesg'' or ''df'' etc. Note that the numbers on the end of devices such as ''/dev/sda'''1''''' refer to the partitions within the device, but the boot record is outside of any specific partition, so the number must be excluded in the command to refer to the device as a whole.
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* root's default paths are missing, so either add e.g. <tt>export PATH=$PATH:/usr/sbin</tt> to root's '''.bashrc''', or <tt>/usr/sbin/usermod -a -G sudo user</tt> and use ''sudo'' instead of ''su''
{| width=400
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* I need to restart and enter my drive-unlock password twice for every damn update! Don't know if this is Debian or Gnome3, but it's discussed [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-software/issues/181 here] and [https://ask.fedoraproject.org/t/gnome-software-center-wants-me-to-restart-to-install-updates/1283/10 here]. GNOME software comes with Software & Updates. Software & Updates can be removed and replaced with GNOME Package Updater.
|{{code|<bash>
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* Gnome3 has changed the touchpad default behaviour, now to do a right-click you tap with two fingers, you can revert to the old area-based behaviour using Tweaks
umount /dev/sdX
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* My internal Atheros bluetooth device suddenly disappeared, it came back after I installed the latest firmware from [http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/non-free/f/firmware-nonfree/ ftp.us.debian.org].
cp debian.iso /dev/sdX
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* [https://askubuntu.com/questions/1131885/help-w-possible-missing-firmware-lib-firmware-i915-kbl-guc-ver9-14-bin-for-mo/1132350#1132350 Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915]
sync
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* GDM has been replaced by LightDM now so to set e.f. auto login, uncomment the relevant line in ''/etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf''
</bash>}}
 
|}
 
  
== Distribution upgrades ==
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== Improvements over Mint/Cinnamon ==
To upgrade Debian, first ensure that there are no conflicting or held back packages. If there are, these issues are best sorted out first.
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* It still has the problem of not standing by when using bluetooth 3G, but seems to work better
{{code|<bash>dpkg --audit
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* The USB 3G stick setup was easy and works well
dpkg --get-selections | grep hold</bash>}}
 
Then run ''aptitude'' and press "g" and only carry on when you have the message "No packages are scheduled to be installed, removed or upgraded".
 
 
 
Next change all your sources over in ''/etc/apt/sources.list'' from the old distro name such as ''squeeze'' to the new one such as ''wheezy''. And then do the upgrade in two steps, first upgrade the packages and then do the ''dist-upgrade'' as follows:
 
{{code|<bash>apt-get update
 
apt-get upgrade
 
apt-get dist-upgrade</bash>}}
 
 
 
It's best to use the package maintainer's version of any updated configuration files it mentions. You can have a second shell window open so you can check the changed parts of the configuration that have changed and back them up or copy them across to the freshly created version.
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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*[[Debian legacy issues]]
 
*[[Install a new desktop]] ''- our procedure for what to install and configure on a local workstation after the bare OS is installed''
 
*[[Install a new desktop]] ''- our procedure for what to install and configure on a local workstation after the bare OS is installed''
 
*[[GNOME]]
 
*[[GNOME]]
*[[Brazilian keyboard settings]]
 
 
*[https://wiki.debian.org/Gnome Gnome page on Debian wiki]
 
*[https://wiki.debian.org/Gnome Gnome page on Debian wiki]
 
*[http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS3128387759.html Etch release delayed by financial arguments]
 
*[http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS3128387759.html Etch release delayed by financial arguments]
 
*[https://tails.boum.org/about/index.en.html Tails] ''- Debian with onion, takeaway style!''
 
*[https://tails.boum.org/about/index.en.html Tails] ''- Debian with onion, takeaway style!''
 
*[http://www.tuxera.com/community/ntfs-3g-faq/#unprivileged Permissions problems mounting NTFS devices]
 
*[http://www.tuxera.com/community/ntfs-3g-faq/#unprivileged Permissions problems mounting NTFS devices]
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*[https://www.zdnet.com/article/debian-10-buster-linux-arrives/ ZDnet on Debian Buster]
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*[https://www.reddit.com/r/gnome/comments/9gmy1z/since_top_icons_plus_isnt_maintained_anymore_and/ Top 20 Gnome extensions]
 
[[Category:Linux]][[Category:Debian]][[Category:Libre software]]
 
[[Category:Linux]][[Category:Debian]][[Category:Libre software]]

Revision as of 07:26, 16 March 2020

Debian-logo.svg

Debian is a free operating system using the Linux kernel, but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project; hence the name GNU/Linux. At Organic Design we install Debian on our servers using the install a new server procedure, and have been using it since around 2005.

In June 2013 we decided to change from Ubuntu to Debian for our workstations as well since Ubuntu is increasingly becoming the "microsoft of the free software world" with pay software and services at every corner and compulsory spyware riddled throughout system, see Debian legacy issues for notes about various issues and solutions encountered back then. But then in early 2014 we changed to Linux Mint for our workstation machines, mainly due to the fact that they're very up to date with their choice of Linux kernel version which allowed me to use my touch-screen on my Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro (XE700T1C) and fixed a long-standing bug on Beth's Lenovo Ideapad S10-3 which prevented it from resuming from standby. As of mid 2019 we've moved back to Debian again because Mint's Cinnamon desktop is stuck on an insecure path through its dependence on Xorg whereas most desktop managers are now moving to the more secure and slim Wayland display server. With the recent release of Debian 10, I decided to move back and give it a try!

Gnome3 extensions and addons

Gnome3 on Debian10.jpg

I don't really like Gnome much, I prefer Cinnamon, but the problem is that Cinnamon is not very secure since it's stuck on the old xorg desktop manager. Here are some things that can be done after installing a Gnome3 based system to make it a bit more familiar.

  • install the gnome icon color packages via apt
  • install the following Gnome extensions:
  • use the Tweaks utility to change icon colours, add an applications menu and window buttons and configure extensions, remove extensions here.

Issues & gotchas

  • root's default paths are missing, so either add e.g. export PATH=$PATH:/usr/sbin to root's .bashrc, or /usr/sbin/usermod -a -G sudo user and use sudo instead of su
  • I need to restart and enter my drive-unlock password twice for every damn update! Don't know if this is Debian or Gnome3, but it's discussed here and here. GNOME software comes with Software & Updates. Software & Updates can be removed and replaced with GNOME Package Updater.
  • Gnome3 has changed the touchpad default behaviour, now to do a right-click you tap with two fingers, you can revert to the old area-based behaviour using Tweaks
  • My internal Atheros bluetooth device suddenly disappeared, it came back after I installed the latest firmware from ftp.us.debian.org.
  • Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/i915
  • GDM has been replaced by LightDM now so to set e.f. auto login, uncomment the relevant line in /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

Improvements over Mint/Cinnamon

  • It still has the problem of not standing by when using bluetooth 3G, but seems to work better
  • The USB 3G stick setup was easy and works well

See also