Linux Debian support - Leanest Debian based Distro?

Author

Leanest Debian based Distro?

User

2006-06-19, 1:12 am

I realize that this question has been asked countless times but I just
can't find a definitive answer.

I recently read the following article about Linux and as a result I
tried out Debian.

http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT3688964005.html

I've tried Linux several times but I keep going back to Windows (sigh),
not because I want to but because Linux always installs a bunch of
programs that I'll never use. I just hate having menus full of things
I'll never use.

When I read the article mentioned above, I found myself liking what I
saw in the screenshots...

-Translucent taskbar and start menus
-Kasbar
-Nero Linux (because of familiarity with what I'm used to in Windows)
-K3B (which I've never used before)
-Firefox & Thunderbird (or Seamonkey)
-OpenOffice 2.0
-XnView
-Okle or Xine (with appropriate codecs/decryption for DVD's and Divx/Xvid)
-Kaffeine or XMMS (for audio)
-Some kind of Network Neighbourhood (for access to my Windows machines)
-GIMP with Gimpshop hack
-Flash, Java, PDF reader
-Basic text editor
-Basic term
-Standard mpeg2 to Divx/Xvid converter
-Remote access software

These are the major programs that I'll ever use.

Does a Linux distro exist that just gives you the basics that you had
back in Windows XP?

I would like the ability to update or add new programs using Synaptic.

I've tried Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux but they just didn't feel right.

I've read about something called Freespire that may give me what I want
but it may still be too cluttered with stuff I won't need.

Thanks in advance

Marc

Michael Paoli

2006-06-19, 1:12 am

User wrote:
> I've tried Linux several times but I keep going back to Windows (sigh),
> not because I want to but because Linux always installs a bunch of
> programs that I'll never use. I just hate having menus full of things
> I'll never use.
> Does a Linux distro exist that just gives you the basics that you had
> back in Windows XP?

Try doing a more customized installation of Debian. Start by only
installing the base system. That'll be quite lean - but likely more
lean than you want. You can then use other programs/tools, such as
tasksel, to select and install sets of packages for types of stuff you
want to use and have (and dependencies of stuff you want/require).
You can also use aptitude and other tools for more fine-grained control
of what packages you do/don't want installed, or want to remove.
If you find stuff showing up on menus that are required for other
dependencies, but you don't want on the menus, you can change this on a
per-user or system-wide basis (e.g. get rid of or "hide" items you
don't want to appear on the menus).
references:
update-menus(1)
menufile(5)

Captain Dondo

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 22:26:55 -0400, User wrote:

> I realize that this question has been asked countless times but I just
> can't find a definitive answer.
>
> I recently read the following article about Linux and as a result I
> tried out Debian.
>
> http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT3688964005.html
>
> I've tried Linux several times but I keep going back to Windows (sigh),
> not because I want to but because Linux always installs a bunch of
> programs that I'll never use. I just hate having menus full of things
> I'll never use.
>
>
That's funny... I just got a Windows XP laptop... Even *after* removing
all sorts of crap - games, MS Works, MSMoney, the 'free trial version of
MSOffice', XP stil uses 7.9 GB on the harddrive, and a second 'hidden' 10
GB partition that apparently mirrors everything in the first. I'm
guessing this is the 'recovery' partition for when the first one blow up.

<rant>
So, to have a basic system with *no visible userspace apps* XP uses up
about 18 GB of a 60 GB hard drive. That's what I call bloat....

By comparison, my Debian Testing install, *with* OO2, a full development
environment, and a handful of userspace apps, including wine + 2 large
Windows apps, only uses up 5 GB....

(I know this is a somewhat unrelated rant, but I spent two days trying to
shrink the partition on that laptop and make room for Debian. It turns
out that HP ships the laptop with an 'inconsistent' HPFS partition, which
XP uses just fine, but linux won't touch. ARGHHH! No wonder they need a
'recovery partition'.)
</rant>

--
o__
,>/'_ o__
(_)\(_) ,>/'_ o__
Yan Seiner, PE (_)\(_) ,>/'_ o__
Certified Personal Trainer (_)\(_) ,>/'_ o__
Licensed Professional Engineer (_)\(_) ,>/'_
Who says engineers have to be pencil necked geeks? (_)\(_)

User

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

Thanks for your help.

I tried a base of Debian Testing (etch) using net install iso. It seemed
to go fine but then I installed Xorg and KDE. Now I'm getting and error...

could not open default font 'fixed'

I did the following after installing the base...

#apt-get update
#apt-get install xserver-xorg
#apt-get install kde

After it didn't work I did the following...

#dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Still didn't work so...

#dpkg-reconfigure fontconfig

Still not working.

Debian doesn't realize that I've got a serial mouse either.

My goal is to set up the etch base and run X using KDE desktop. I figure
that once I've got that up and running I'll be able to use Synaptic to
add the other apps I want.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks

Michael Paoli wrote:
> User wrote:
>
> Try doing a more customized installation of Debian. Start by only
> installing the base system. That'll be quite lean - but likely more
> lean than you want. You can then use other programs/tools, such as
> tasksel, to select and install sets of packages for types of stuff you
> want to use and have (and dependencies of stuff you want/require).
> You can also use aptitude and other tools for more fine-grained control
> of what packages you do/don't want installed, or want to remove.
> If you find stuff showing up on menus that are required for other
> dependencies, but you don't want on the menus, you can change this on a
> per-user or system-wide basis (e.g. get rid of or "hide" items you
> don't want to appear on the menus).
> references:
> update-menus(1)
> menufile(5)
>

User

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

The preloaded Windows apps on those new laptops drive me nuts too!

Is your install simply a base install with manual installs of your
favourite apps?

Any insight into what I did wrong?

Thanks

Captain Dondo wrote:
> On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 22:26:55 -0400, User wrote:
>
> That's funny... I just got a Windows XP laptop... Even *after* removing
> all sorts of crap - games, MS Works, MSMoney, the 'free trial version of
> MSOffice', XP stil uses 7.9 GB on the harddrive, and a second 'hidden' 10
> GB partition that apparently mirrors everything in the first. I'm
> guessing this is the 'recovery' partition for when the first one blow up.
>
> <rant>
> So, to have a basic system with *no visible userspace apps* XP uses up
> about 18 GB of a 60 GB hard drive. That's what I call bloat....
>
> By comparison, my Debian Testing install, *with* OO2, a full development
> environment, and a handful of userspace apps, including wine + 2 large
> Windows apps, only uses up 5 GB....
>
> (I know this is a somewhat unrelated rant, but I spent two days trying to
> shrink the partition on that laptop and make room for Debian. It turns
> out that HP ships the laptop with an 'inconsistent' HPFS partition, which
> XP uses just fine, but linux won't touch. ARGHHH! No wonder they need a
> 'recovery partition'.)
> </rant>
>

John Hasler

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

User writes:
> Does a Linux distro exist that just gives you the basics...

Debian, along with every other major distribution I know of. When you get
to "Debian Software Selection" choose "Manual package selection". Then
start up Aptitude and install exactly what you want.

> I would like the ability to update or add new programs using Synaptic.

You'll have to install X before you can use Synaptic.

> ...that you had back in Windows XP?

Speak for yourself. I have never used Microsoft Windows XP.
--
John Hasler

Luc The Perverse

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

"Captain Dondo" <yan@NsOeSiPnAeMr.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2006.06.19.14.07.40.678593@NsOeSiPnAeMr.com...
> That's funny... I just got a Windows XP laptop... Even *after* removing
> all sorts of crap - games, MS Works, MSMoney, the 'free trial version of
> MSOffice', XP stil uses 7.9 GB on the harddrive, and a second 'hidden' 10
> GB partition that apparently mirrors everything in the first. I'm
> guessing this is the 'recovery' partition for when the first one blow up.

Now I'm not trying to say that windows is better than Linux, but in all
fairness, you can't compare the base install an OEM gives you to a clean
streamlined install of XP.

If I could just finish writing my Windows XP install guide . . .

--
LTP

Captain Dondo

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

User wrote:
> The preloaded Windows apps on those new laptops drive me nuts too!
>
> Is your install simply a base install with manual installs of your
> favourite apps?

I think I just used a Debian Etch Desktop/Laptop install, then added a
whole bunch of -dev debs.

>
> Any insight into what I did wrong?

Perhaps your desktop/window manager?

I use XFCE; I find both KDE and Gnome really slow. Gnome is OK as far
as the UI but it's slow, KDE I find too garish and bright, and I've had
endless trouble with both when something pukes.

XFCE installs an absolute minimum in the panel; I usually add a few apps
like kate and gedit; if that's all you see you really don't care what is
installed on the rest of the system. I find that I launch a lot of
barely used apps from the shell rather than clutter up menus with them.

XFCE is also visibly faster than both KDE and Gnome. It's been my
desktop of choice for about 4 years.

I've also heard good things about Enlightenment; I used it years ago but
then it appeared to die. From what I hear, it's springing back to life.

--Yan

Captain Dondo

2006-06-19, 1:13 pm

Luc The Perverse wrote:
>
> Now I'm not trying to say that windows is better than Linux, but in all
> fairness, you can't compare the base install an OEM gives you to a clean
> streamlined install of XP.
>

Well, this is getting a bit OT, but...

There is *no way* to install "clean streamlined XP" on my laptop without
buying a shrink-wrapped license of XP. HP no longer ships an XP install
CD; they simply ship a backup utility that, AFAICT, just dumps the hd to
the burner, and it takes 13 CDs to hold all the cruft.

Yes I can blame the vendor, but at the same time, I can (and should)
compare the "basic install" out of the box:

what ships with the laptop: 18 GB, no functional office suite, no compilers
Debian "click OK" net install: 5 GB, Full featured office suite, compilers

If I was HP, I'd be embarrased by the crap on that laptop.

For example, my wireless USB logitech mouse requries a 25 MB "driver"
for XP, while it works with "no driver" in debian. In both cases, the
driver is part of the kernel core package, but with Win XP, 25 MB of
cruft is ladled on top. Nowhere does it say that if you just tell XP to
shut up and not install any "drivers" the mouse will work fine.

That's bloat!

iforone

2006-06-19, 7:13 pm

User wrote:
> Thanks for your help.
>
> I tried a base of Debian Testing (etch) using net install iso. It seemed
> to go fine but then I installed Xorg and KDE. Now I'm getting and error...
>
> could not open default font 'fixed'

I believe this is a common bug related to Xorg (default on 2.6.12/13(?)
and up) vs the orig XFree86(2.6.8-2 is still XFree86 as default, and
uses etc/X11/XF86Config-4 as the Config file -- whereas IIRC, /etc/Xorg
is the DIR to search for the appropriate config file, IIRC).

What kernel did you install (the 2.6.x kernel ?)
~$ uname -a
Linux (FooBar) 2.6.8-2-386 #1 Tue Aug 16 12:46:35 UTC 2005 i686
GNU/Linux

IIRC, it has to do with a link (either hard or symlink to the newer
Fonts location in Xorg.) It's definitely been covered in UseNet - and
perhaps searching certain groups can yield the specifics (i,e; NGs
such as comp.windows.x.kde , and comp.os.linux.misc , and other x
related groups perhaps)

> I did the following after installing the base...
>
> #apt-get update
> #apt-get install xserver-xorg
> #apt-get install kde

Also make sure 'kde-core' is installed, and use 'kdm' as the login
manager;

~$ apt-cache search kde-core
kde-core - the K Desktop Environment core modules
kde - the K Desktop Environment official modules

Your 'apt-get install kde' likely installed the kde-core modules though
already

*ONLY* if you decide to go back to XFree86 - this is NOT for Xorg
(AFAIK)...I don't use Xorg
How about X packages/components;
~$ apt-cache search XFree86
xfree86-common - X Window System (XFree86) infrastructure
xserver-xfree86 - the XFree86 X server
x-window-system - X Window System

Each one above can be reconfigured using 'dpkg-reconfigure packagename'

> After it didn't work I did the following...
>
> #dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

which should've worked -- but the Font fault is a Bug as far as I
Recall, and can be easily overcome, but not through Reconfigure....see
above

> Still didn't work so...
>
> #dpkg-reconfigure fontconfig
>
> Still not working.

same answer as above

> Debian doesn't realize that I've got a serial mouse either.

You can select that during 'dpkg-reconfigure [whateverXpackage]'
usually -- or edit the appropriate Config file directly...Here's my
mouse area of my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 on Debian Sarge 2.6.8-2-386
kernel;

**NOTE - this is for XFree86 - _NOT_ the correct file for XORG**
===========================
# XF86Config-4 (XFree86 X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool,
using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the XF86Config-4 manual page.
# (Type "man XF86Config-4" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xfree86 package
upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the
xserver-xfree86
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically
updated
# again, run the following commands as root:
#
# cp /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.custom
# md5sum /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 >/var/lib/xfree86/XF86Config-4.md5sum
# dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

[...]

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
[...]
=====================

Obviously, I'm using a PS/2 IntelliMouse (wheel)

> My goal is to set up the etch base and run X using KDE desktop. .

Yes - I believe etch defaults to Xorg

> I figure
> that once I've got that up and running I'll be able to use Synaptic to
> add the other apps I want.

You should also look at the KPackage Manager, which for a GUI app, is
better than Synaptic IMHO, and would suit your needs almost perfectly I
suspect -- I still prefer the Apt-get way to do things ...even over the
Aptitude method

> Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
>
> Thanks

I tried to give some pointers...:-)

Regards

iforone

2006-06-19, 7:13 pm

iforone wrote:

[ Correction to self ]
> How about X packages/components;
> ~$ apt-cache search XFree86
> xfree86-common - X Window System (XFree86) infrastructure
> xserver-xfree86 - the XFree86 X server
> x-window-system - X Window System
>
> Each one above can be reconfigured using 'dpkg-reconfigure packagename'

Actually, I'm not sure if the 1st and 3rd can be dpkg-reconfigure(d) -
I've only used;
~$ dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

[ /Correction to self ]
[vbcol=seagreen]

Are you entering the correct parameters as per your Hardware? (which is
what??? BTW)

I still think it's that /Xorg or /X.org config file

lemme see...
have a look at this <http://wiki.debian.org/Xorg69To7> for some more
info - and search the groups

Regards

Luc The Perverse

2006-06-19, 7:13 pm

"Captain Dondo" <yan@NsOeSiPnAeMr.com> wrote in message
news:129dn7up6pm9u3c@corp.supernews.com...
>
> Well, this is getting a bit OT, but...
>
> There is *no way* to install "clean streamlined XP" on my laptop without
> buying a shrink-wrapped license of XP. HP no longer ships an XP install
> CD; they simply ship a backup utility that, AFAICT, just dumps the hd to
> the burner, and it takes 13 CDs to hold all the cruft.

It *IS* the OEM's fault if they refuse to send you a real installation disk.

I built a client's computer and she had a list of software that she "needed'
and I just cringed to look at it. Every thing on the list was at least 10
times as big as it needed to be, but she was actually slightly angered when
I suggested alternatives, so I just let it drop. At the top of her list,
XP Prof, AOL, Norton Antivirus Full Security (or something), Microsoft
Office, Adobe Acrobat . . . the list went on and on.

My point is, that you can get a fully working copy of Windows XP in less
than 2 GB, and you can have all the basic software that you need in less
than that 5 Gb benchmark you listed.

It isn't fair to blame Windows XP for the bloat of software that comes with
it. Amateur programmers are naturally attracted to the most common
platform. And it is especially not fair to blame Windows XP for some
default stupid configuration that an arbitrary OEM uses.

Microsoft as a PR company has identified that people do not care if software
is bloated. The only thing people seem to relate to is boot time, and they
have done a pretty good job of getting that as low as possible.

--
LTP

Peter J Ross

2006-06-19, 7:13 pm

On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 10:25:35 -0400, User <User@user.net> wrote in
alt.os.linux.debian:

> Thanks for your help.
>
> I tried a base of Debian Testing (etch) using net install iso. It seemed
> to go fine but then I installed Xorg and KDE. Now I'm getting and error...
>
> could not open default font 'fixed'

try (as root):

apt-get install xfonts-base xfonts-100dpi xfonts-75dpi

> I did the following after installing the base...
>
> #apt-get update
> #apt-get install xserver-xorg
> #apt-get install kde
>
> After it didn't work I did the following...
>
> #dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
>
> Still didn't work so...
>
> #dpkg-reconfigure fontconfig
>
> Still not working.
>
> Debian doesn't realize that I've got a serial mouse either.

You need to specify it next time you run dpkg-reconfigure
xserver-xorg.

In order to see all the relevant questions, you might need to use the
-plow" option (which stands for "priority (including) low".

dpkg-reconfigure -plow xserver-xorg

You might also want to apt-get mdetect ("mouse detect").

Now, I can see that you're wondering *how* to specify a serial mouse
if autodetection doesn't work. My answer is that I can't remember, but
googling "xorg serial mouse" ought to help.

> My goal is to set up the etch base and run X using KDE desktop. I figure
> that once I've got that up and running I'll be able to use Synaptic to
> add the other apps I want.
>
> Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

About the only thing you're doing wrong is that you're not giving
precise details of your hardware and the error messages you're seeing.
It makes it more difficult to make suggestions.

PJR :-)
--
_ _(o)_(o)_ _ FSM: http://www.venganza.org/
.._\`:_ F S M _:' \_, PJR: http://www.insurgent.org/~pjr/
/ (`---'\ `-. AUK: http://www.netcabal.com/auk/
,-` _) (_, F_P God's Own Newsreader: http://www.slrn.org/

Peter J Ross

2006-06-19, 7:13 pm

On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 09:30:18 -0500, John Hasler <jhasler@debian.org>
wrote in alt.os.linux.debian:

> Speak for yourself. I have never used Microsoft Windows XP.

If it's anything like the Win2000 SP4 that I spent six hours
installing for a friend last week, you're probably not missing much.

The damn thing didn't even recognise a bog-standard ethernet card till
I'd found some third-party drivers. (I also needed drivers for VGA,
sound and the USB mouse.)

Anyway, I finally installed it and then spent about 30 pleasant
minutes adding Ubuntu with /dev/hda5 as swap and /dev/hda6 as /.
Another five minutes' work provided a link to the Windows desktop from
/dev/hda1 on the KDE desktop.

I then rebooted into Windows, and it kindly offered to format
"unrecognised drive H" - i.e. the Ubuntu partitions - for me.

Grrrr.

PJR :-)
--
_ _(o)_(o)_ _ FSM: http://www.venganza.org/
.._\`:_ F S M _:' \_, PJR: http://www.insurgent.org/~pjr/
/ (`---'\ `-. AUK: http://www.netcabal.com/auk/
,-` _) (_, F_P God's Own Newsreader: http://www.slrn.org/

User

2006-06-20, 1:12 pm

Thanks for your help.

I'm doing the Etch install on a Pentium 2, Asus P2L-B, Ati 3D Rage II+,
Logitech 3 button Serial Mouse, standard keyboard.

I had originally done the Sarge "desktop" install and everything worked
great (including video card and mouse detection) but the software
installed was a little dated.

I then installed Etch base and it failed to load into X due to Font
error (mentioned in previous post).

I redid the Etch "Desktop" install and it couldn't detect my serial
mouse but at least Gnome worked (i.e. video card detection was working).

I decided to redo the Etch "base" install from scratch and other than
one 'E: broken packages' error when trying to install xserver-common, it
went without issue.

I did the following after my latest Etch base install...

#apt-get update
#apt-get install mdetect
#apt-get install discover
#apt-get install xresprobe
#apt-get install xserver-common xorg (E: broken packages)
#apt-get install x11-common (because of 'broken packages' above)
#apt-get install xserver-xorg
#apt-get install xorg
#apt-get install kde
#apt-get update

Unfortunately, when I do the dpkd-reconfigure xserver-xorg, it doesn't
detect my video card or my serial mouse. At least I can get into X using
KDE.

When I used Sarge, dpkd-reconfigure xserver-xorg detected my video card
and my Logitech serial mouse.

Any ideas on these 2 detection issues?

Thanks,

Marc

iforone wrote:
> iforone wrote:
>
> [ Correction to self ]
>
> Actually, I'm not sure if the 1st and 3rd can be dpkg-reconfigure(d) -
> I've only used;
> ~$ dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86
>
> [ /Correction to self ]
>
>
> Are you entering the correct parameters as per your Hardware? (which is
> what??? BTW)
>
> I still think it's that /Xorg or /X.org config file
>
> lemme see...
> have a look at this <http://wiki.debian.org/Xorg69To7> for some more
> info - and search the groups
>
> Regards
>

SteveSch

2006-06-20, 1:12 pm

On Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:01:00 -0400, User wrote:

> I had originally done the Sarge "desktop" install and everything worked
> great (including video card and mouse detection) but the software
> installed was a little dated.
>
> I then installed Etch base and it failed to load into X due to Font
> error (mentioned in previous post).

You could have easily updated sarge to either etch or sid. I went from
sarge to etch then to sid. It started by not changes my sources.list from
testing to sarge so my move to etch just sort of happened. The only reason
I went to sid was that k3b was not available in etch for a short time and
I wanted it.

> Any ideas on these 2 detection issues?

You should have the option to choose a driver for the video card and the
location of your mouse. It should actually show you a list of drivers to
select from.

Google your video card to see what driver others are using.

Mouse info check out:
http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-mini...n-Mouse.html#s3

Good luck,
Steve

Praxis

2006-06-23, 7:15 am

User wrote:

> I realize that this question has been asked countless times but I just
> can't find a definitive answer.
>
> I've tried Linux several times but I keep going back to Windows (sigh),
> not because I want to but because Linux always installs a bunch of
> programs that I'll never use. I just hate having menus full of things
> I'll never use.
> saw in the screenshots...
>
> -Translucent taskbar and start menus
> -Kasbar
> -Nero Linux (because of familiarity with what I'm used to in Windows)
> -K3B (which I've never used before)
> -Firefox & Thunderbird (or Seamonkey)
> -OpenOffice 2.0
> -XnView
> -Okle or Xine (with appropriate codecs/decryption for DVD's and Divx/Xvid)
> -Kaffeine or XMMS (for audio)
> -Some kind of Network Neighbourhood (for access to my Windows machines)
> -GIMP with Gimpshop hack
> -Flash, Java, PDF reader
> -Basic text editor
> -Basic term
> -Standard mpeg2 to Divx/Xvid converter
> -Remote access software

I'm a bit rare myself and I'd certainly never claim to give a definitive
answer, but try Kubuntu or Ubuntu if you prefer Gnome. Personally, I prefer
the 'kitchen sink' approach to installation, hard drive space is cheap,
just having a program on a machine doesn't slow it down much unless it is
loading, and I'd rather now fish around too much if a program isn't doing
what I need. Use Automatix or EasyUbuntu to add the proprietary stuff,
though in my limited experience it isn't quite seemless. Both of them
choked install Flashplayer, for instance, and I had to install it by hand.
(K)Ubuntu seems to prefer the 'one app per task' approach. You'll have to
install XMMS & OpenOffice on with Synaptic, as well as Thunderbird (and
even Firefox with Kubuntu, which just seems to come with Konqueror as a
browser).

Personally, I prefer K3B to Nero. You can use SMB4K for Network
Neighborhood, though I don't anymore because I have fixed IP addresses on
my LAN listed in my /etc/hosts file and it is easier to just type in the
Konqueror location bar:
smb://hostname

ray

2006-06-23, 1:12 pm

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 22:26:55 -0400, User wrote:

> I realize that this question has been asked countless times but I just
> can't find a definitive answer.
>
> I recently read the following article about Linux and as a result I
> tried out Debian.
>
> http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT3688964005.html
>
> I've tried Linux several times but I keep going back to Windows (sigh),
> not because I want to but because Linux always installs a bunch of
> programs that I'll never use. I just hate having menus full of things
> I'll never use.
>
> When I read the article mentioned above, I found myself liking what I
> saw in the screenshots...
>
> -Translucent taskbar and start menus
> -Kasbar
> -Nero Linux (because of familiarity with what I'm used to in Windows)
> -K3B (which I've never used before)
> -Firefox & Thunderbird (or Seamonkey)
> -OpenOffice 2.0
> -XnView
> -Okle or Xine (with appropriate codecs/decryption for DVD's and Divx/Xvid)
> -Kaffeine or XMMS (for audio)
> -Some kind of Network Neighbourhood (for access to my Windows machines)
> -GIMP with Gimpshop hack
> -Flash, Java, PDF reader
> -Basic text editor
> -Basic term
> -Standard mpeg2 to Divx/Xvid converter
> -Remote access software
>
> These are the major programs that I'll ever use.
>
> Does a Linux distro exist that just gives you the basics that you had
> back in Windows XP?
>
> I would like the ability to update or add new programs using Synaptic.
>
> I've tried Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux but they just didn't feel right.
>
> I've read about something called Freespire that may give me what I want
> but it may still be too cluttered with stuff I won't need.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Marc

I believe there are books and tutorials that will help you install a basic
Debian system. Why not give it a shot.

User

2006-06-26, 1:12 pm

Thanks to all who replied.

I decided to go with Xandros 3.0 (Open Circulation) with all the
updates. I removed OpenOffice 1.X and installed OpenOffice 2.02 instead.
I added Gimp and it pretty much does what I wanted it to. Divx worked
right away too.

I'll probably pick up Xandros 4.0 or maybe even the Freespire hybrid
distro (if it has what I'm looking for when it comes out in August) when
I've had a chance to use 3.0 for a while.

Cheers,

Marc

Praxis wrote:
> User wrote:
>
>
> I'm a bit rare myself and I'd certainly never claim to give a definitive
> answer, but try Kubuntu or Ubuntu if you prefer Gnome. Personally, I prefer
> the 'kitchen sink' approach to installation, hard drive space is cheap,
> just having a program on a machine doesn't slow it down much unless it is
> loading, and I'd rather now fish around too much if a program isn't doing
> what I need. Use Automatix or EasyUbuntu to add the proprietary stuff,
> though in my limited experience it isn't quite seemless. Both of them
> choked install Flashplayer, for instance, and I had to install it by hand.
> (K)Ubuntu seems to prefer the 'one app per task' approach. You'll have to
> install XMMS & OpenOffice on with Synaptic, as well as Thunderbird (and
> even Firefox with Kubuntu, which just seems to come with Konqueror as a
> browser).
>
> Personally, I prefer K3B to Nero. You can use SMB4K for Network
> Neighborhood, though I don't anymore because I have fixed IP addresses on
> my LAN listed in my /etc/hosts file and it is easier to just type in the
> Konqueror location bar:
> smb://hostname
>
>
>