So, you have just installed Debian GNU/Linux. Good for you! But, what now? All you have is a black screen in front of you with no mouse pointer or application menu or anything! What you need now is to install a Desktop Environment. Don't fret, it's actually pretty easy. Install The X Window System First, install the base X Window System GUI environment by issuing this command as root: Code: # apt-get install xorg There are a few questions you will be asked after the installation.

Accepting the default choices should be fine. Install a Desktop Environment Next you will need to install a Desktop Environment. Age Of Empire 3 Download Torrent Tpb.

Now you have to set up the partitions for your Debian installation, so select. Such as installing software. If you're using a CD and if you have a slow. Select and install software'. Install a Debian on a.

The two most popular are and. You can install one or both to try them out. To install a Desktop Environment, issue the following command as root: Code: # apt-get install gnome Or replace 'gnome' with 'kde' for KDE. Run your Desktop Environment After you have a Desktop Environment installed you can test everything by logging in as your non-root user and issue the command: Code: $ startx This should bring up your new GUI environment. Now you're ready to start using your new Debian GNU/Linux computer! Notes: If you would like a nice GUI environment to login with, you have the choice of installing GDM, KDM, or XDM. GDM seems to be the most popular, but you are more than welcome to try out any of the others: Code: # apt-get install gdm -- If you think you messed up on the configuration of the X Window System, you can run this command as root to reconfigure the package: If you run Sarge: Code: # dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86 If you run Etch or Sid: Code: # dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg -- If you would like a minimal installation of either Desktop Environment, use the package names 'gnome-core' or 'kdebase' for Gnome or KDE, respectively.

-- There are other options from Gnome and KDE for your GUI environment. Please view for a listing of other Desktop Environments and/or Window Managers. Edit () - See Addendum under X-Window System ============ WWW resource: Debian X Window System FAQ: O'Reilley Open Book on-line: Learning Debian GNU/Linux By Bill McCarty, Chp 6. Using the X Window System: =========================================== Something that I have kept in my documentation section with some edited updates: This is a generalised documentation on the X-Window System installed in your Debian distribution and is aimed toward mainly those who are just getting around the Debian installed X-Window System from the non-graphical command line style, or from a login manager, XDM and for those who tired of 'googling' for info. So if you like to start your X window manager or desktop by typing 'startx' (or via XDM) there are a few things to make it easier for you. This will be mainly about (1)making your window manager or desktop environment the default system on login, and (2) running multiple X sessions.

Some background on X-Window System, window manager & desktop environment: X-Window System: ================ In Linux, almost everything is text-based as opposed to graphical-user-interfaces (GUIs) for example in MS Windows. There are several advantages of running a text-based system in Linux, for example if you run a server it save PC resources that would otherwise be wasted running a GUI system, or if you run a really old and/or slow PC like I, a GUI-based system hog resources.

In a reasonably fast and modern PC, this wouldn't be a factor and you can run all the GUIs you want without breaking sweat. So, it is down to mostly individual and organisational preference. In Linux (and also UNIX, FreeBSD etc) the GUI runs on the top of the text-based system, the GUI is call the X-Window System or X. If you don't know it already, X-Window System in Linux takes care of things like the hardware settings such as the monitor (refresh rate & resolution), keyboard, and mouse, so the graphical application just 'communicate' with the X-Window System and tell it want it want to do. In the current stable version of Debian, Sarge 3.1, the X Window System, is called XFree86, while in the soon to be stable version of Debian, Etch 4.0, the X Window System, is called X.org.

The X.org is a fork of XFree86 and the latter will probably be discontinued in term of supports. Addendum: ======== Reference: X-Power Tools -Chris Tyler.

Lots of great info there, garrincha. Thanks for adding it. When I wrote this I kept the new Linux user in mind.

That's why my post is fairly short, but simple and to the point. I didn't want to overload and/or discourage a new user with tons of text.

This also seems to be a fairly popular question/task on these forums. When I scanned the How-to section, I didn't find a thread for it. Therefor, I felt the need to write. Adding more detailed info to this thread like garrincha has done is great and is encouraged. Moderator Team Member Posts: 312 Joined: 2005-11-08 01:13. Aim wrote:don't you think it's not so good to install full bloated gnome?

Simpleindex Keygens. Why not install tiny gnome-core (or kde-core) and add software on-demand (for example iceweasel, iceweasel-gnome-support and etc.? Hi aim, Yes, I agree with you on this.

However, when I wrote this I kept the new user in mind. Someone who may be completely new to Debian and who is just getting used to the concept of 'apt-getting' new software. I kept things as simple as possible. And when the user has their full Gnome desktop (as bloated as it may be) they will have everything they need to start using and learning about their new Debian GNU/Linux computer.

Later on in the Notes section I make mention of a minimal Gnome and KDE installation, too. Moderator Team Member Posts: 312 Joined: 2005-11-08 01:13. Aim wrote:don't you think it's not so good to install full bloated gnome?

Why not install tiny gnome-core (or kde-core) and add software on-demand (for example iceweasel, iceweasel-gnome-support and etc.? Yes, I agree with you on this. However, when I wrote this I kept the new user in mind. I think it's a wrong thing to install all that stuff. Just an example. KDE metapackage install kde-multimedia which depends on 'juk'. It's an old stuff, everybody using amarok now!

Nube will be shocked if you show him juk. He will say -- oh, no. Debian contains a lot of crap software (sorry juk guys, i was not to hit you, but amaroK is MUCH better) - i will switch to kubuntu instead of debian 'etch'. We (people who know) should be *very* carefull in writing such HOWTOs to prevent users leave debian. It's a market and a war!

Posts: 12 Joined: 2005-09-20 22:39 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia •.