v 0.2
23 May 13
Enhancing Wheezy. I've often wondered what the magic formula was that when spoken would transform Debian and unlock its secrets. Unfortunately, that formula is experience, finding those magic packages over time that will make it all so much easier for you. First though, we have to learn about Debian mirrors.
Apt Sources
The heart of what makes Debian different is the system of software Mirrors, apt repositories and for Wheezy, the backports. So, let's add the backports to the apt sources so that if later on newer software is added to this repository, we can install it. (it is also worthwhile reading the instructions on http://backports.debian.org )http://backports.debian.org/news/Backports_integrated_into_the_main_archive/
Open a root terminal from the accessories menu, change to the /etc/apt directory and then as root, edit sources.list:
# nano sources.list
add deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-backports main contrib non-free
deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-backports main contrib non-free
note: pick the mirror closest to you for best performance ... I have ftp.au.debian.org
Iceweasel and Icedove
While we are here, why not make iceweasel the current release in phase with firefox? Go to http://mozilla.debian.net .add deb http://mozilla.debian.net/ wheezy-backports iceweasel-release to your sources.list then ^O and return to save ^X to exit (control O .... )
The iceweasel release repository has a keyring that identifies it as genuine .. you can download it from the website, or install it from the repository.
# aptitude update (it will complain that it doesn't have a keyring for the mozilla archive)
# aptitude install pkg-mozilla-archive-keyring
To get iceweasel installed, you will have to update from the command line after you have saved and exited from nano as so (note, it MUST be the command line, Synaptic won't work for the initial install):
# aptitude update
# aptitude install -t wheezy-backports iceweasel
(note - aptitude is probably preferable to apt-get as it does exactly the same thing but keeps track of dependencies installed on the machine a little better).
There .. Iceweasel 21, the current release. The webpage at mozilla.debian.net has instructions for icedove (Thunderbird) as well.
Gnome Workspaces Tip
I had both Iceweasel and an open terminal in the same workspace. I dragged the Iceweasel icon in the workspace to another, so now I have terminal in one and Iceweasel in another.Lxde
I wanted to see what a difference a lighter desktop made, so thought I'd install lxde. Once again, in a root terminal:# aptitude search lxde (to find the correct package to install)
# aptitude install lxde
Changing the desktop background in lxde - click both mouse buttons on the desktop for the menu (it should just be the right button but for some reason on my X31 I needed both). I changed the wallpaper mode to "Center on the Screen" to give a nicer look to the default artwork.
Other Items of Interest
Synaptic is a generally more convenient way to install packages and gives an easy way of exploring the entire software collection. It is installed by default. Note that you can't use it to do the initial install of things from backports, only subsequent updates.- nautilus-dropbox - this adds Dropbox and nautilus integration. A dropbox menu item is installed in the internet category ...
- ttf-mscorefonts-installer - Ms Truetype Core Fonts - install these to get nicer fonts in the web browser.
- BUM Boot Up Manager manages init processes
- rcconf Another Boot process manager
Default artwork for Debian - look in /etc/alternatives
LibreOffice
The libreOffice website has an installer for debian packages for the up-to-date suite. BUT it is also in wheezy-backportshttp://linuxg.net/how-to-install-libreoffice-4-0-3-on-debian-7-wheezy-via-backports-ppa/
You have already put the backports into your sources.list .. so ..
# apt-get update
# apt-get -t wheezy-backports install libreoffice
Installing via Backports - A Note
Once more ..When you first install a package via backports, you have to use the command line and " -t " to activate the package. Once you have done that then the new version will be tracked in synaptic etc and update when a new package becomes available.
What packages are there? Well, the only way I've worked out so far is to look through the package pool and identify new packages. For example, Gnome 3.8 is available in backports should you wish to install. The backports packages don't appear in Synaptic till you install them via aptitude / apt-get
Look at this in your browser: ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/pool/
Skype
Skype is only available in 32 bit deb packages, so use of the "multi-arch" feature of Wheezy will be needed if you have a 64 bit install. I'll not go into how to do this .. something for another time. For a 32 bit install of Debian though:- Download the deb package to the machine.
- Right click on it and open with the Gdebi package installer. (Gdebi also downloads and installs dependencies.)
- Install
- Type in the admin password when asked.
Cloud Storage
- In addition to dropbox, there is SpiderOak, which has clients for both 32 bit and 64 bit Debian. SpiderOak is noted for being encrypted so that even if they wanted, they would be unable to access your data.
- Google Drive - Check out Insync https://www.insynchq.com/linux
Later
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