----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew M.A. Cater" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <debian-user@lists.debian.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2006 3:54 AM
Subject: Re: New install and newbie questions
On Fri, Feb 17, 2006 at 07:46:36PM -0700, Charles wrote:
I've just downloaded and installed the "sarge" distribution on a computer
I use for a test bed. Since I'm used to hosing this box and reinstalling
to learn more, most of the hardware present is fairly generic and well
supported across both Linux and Windows.
So far, I have network connectivity and throughput on my DSL router for
broadband access. I have a basic load of applications installed.
Mozilla works fine, so the desktop, GUI, and network connectivity are OK.
The character-based installation threw me for a loop, and I have rather a
few more questions based on previous, now false, assumptions.
1) Is there a command line or series of command lines that will update
the fresh installation with all outstanding security updates? I've
become accustomed to using urpmi, and this is different. What I would
llike to do is issue these lines to insure I have an up-to-date system.
Check your /etc/apt/sources.list and then issue apt-get update ; apt-get
upgrade
Others have possibly given you the appropriate lines.
2) Same as #1, but for bug fixes on installed packages.
See above.
3) What can I do with the 14 CD's and two update CD's in order to
integrate them into the system? The default GUI is going to be set to
KDE, and KDE has kpackage which I remember from previous distributions
and which also recognizes the Debian format. My eventual interest is in
being able to install and remove packages on the fly, and I understand
the 14 CD's comprise all the software available and specifically modified
for Debian.
apt-cdrom add
and feed the CD's in. That will put them at the top of
your /etc/apt/sources.list - which means that they will be the first
source searched and apt will prompt you to insert e.g. CD 1
Very useful if you have no net connectivity or are doing an initial
install far from the 'Net.
If you have broadband, you may just want to update straight from the
'Net :)
apt-get install x-window-system kde kdm
for example will install all of X windows, a KDE metapackage which
subsumes most of KDE and kdm to replace xdm or gdm.
So I should 1) Add the 14 CD's and the two update CD's via "apt-cdrom add",
2) activate all sources in Synaptic, 3) run "apt-get update" and "apt-get
upgrade" and I'll have an up-to-date system.
Should this update very few packages if the download is one week old?
4) Is there an online resource that will start walking me through the
differences between Debian and, say, Redhat, Mandrake, Suse, or other
distributions?
Two main differences :)
<Zealot> Debian does dependencies right: apt-get and others download the
right packages in the right order. No more .rpm hell </Zealot>
That, and, of course the commitment to Free/Libre software (and the
consequent flame wars :) )
I'm also assuming the separation between end user and administrator is
enforced by the separation between GUI and CLI.
This will be fun. If I can reproduce/document a successful installation, a
fair number of GUI's for the end user are available, the installation and
desktop is stable, and I have direct access to a broad library of software
that can be installed on the fly, then I have a distribution of Linux I can
work with. Mandrake has been averaging about one stable install each three
major versions, and that's the closest I come to a desktop with lots of
different GUI's.
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