The beginner’s handbook

Debian 12 Bookworm

arpinux © WTFPL

trad. Saby43 & arpinux

Updated: June 17, 2023

– About this manual –
“The beginner’s handbook” is a simplified manual to install and master the Debian system.
You will find in the following pages the answers to your first questions concerning the Debian
GNU/Linux system , its history, how to obtain it, to install it, to master it, to configure and
administrate it.
You will be able to go further and obtain information concerning the privacy protection, the backing up
of your data, and the various actors of the Free Software world.
Usually, the manuals begin by teaching you the theoretical basis and the usage of the terminal. This
manual takes the very side of the “graphical environment”: it is designed to let you start quickly with
Debian, screen powered on, fingers on the keyboard and the mouse nearby .

– The mission of this manual is not to be comprehensive –

A lot of external links are available in this manual. Don’t hesitate to click on them in order to read more
detailed information.
For a more detailed documentation, please visit the official Debian Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/FrontPage
or the Debian administrator’s handbook: https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/

– How to use this manual? –

This PDF version includes a detailed summary and a table of images at the end of the guide.
Note: This manual includes some commands or code blocks that are sometimes longer than the width of
the page. In this case, a backslash “\” is added and the rest of the command or code is carried over to
the next line.

the beginner’s handbook

thebeginnershandbook 1 Contents
 Debian? What’s that?

Distribution, free software, community, packages, source code … but what is Debian in
fact?

1.1 The Debian GNU/Linux system

Debian is an operating system free (as in free speech) and gratis (as in free beer). Debian allows your
computer to function and offers you a full set of Free Software for all the usual practices (surfing the Web,
sending emails, playing multimedia files, doing office kind of tasks), and more …
This collection of Libre Software comes to a large extend from the GNU project, launched in 1983 by
Richard M. Stallman. The Linux kernel developed by Linus Torvalds then came to complete this set of
software to make GNU/Linux.

GNU & Tux, logos of the GNU projet and the Linux kernel by Péhä CC-BY-SA

The Debian GNU/Linux distribution was started by Ian Murdock (rip) in August 1993. Everything started
with a little, but solid, group of free software hackers, which grew up to become a large and well organized
community of developers and end users. Debian is now developed by a thousand of volunteers spread
around the world.
So, Debian is a complete set of free software.
A free software is defined by the 4 freedoms https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html : it gives
the end users the freedom of using, studying, sharing and modifying that software, without breaking
the law. To achieve this, it is necessary for the developer to distribute the source code and authorize the
end-user to exercise its rights granted by a free license.

2
 In memory of Ian Murdock by Péhä CC-0

One of the major interests of the free software is that it allows skilled people to audit the program code, to
insure notably that it does only what it is supposed to do. So it is an additional barrier to protect your
privacy .
Debian implements this principle in its Social Contract, and particularly in the Free Software Guidelines
according to Debian. This contract states that the Debian project will remain 100% free.
However the contract recognizes that some users might need “non-free” components to run their systems,
like some peripheral drivers, or some applications decoding specific music or video files, for example.
That’s why the distributed software is divided into 4 sections:

• main for the free software packages available by default,

• non-free-firmware for the non-free firmwares available by default,
• contrib for the packages respecting the free software guidelines by themselves, but which are
depending on non-free software, that do not comply with these guidelines,
• non-free for packages which do not comply with the free software guidelines.

Debian is developed very thoroughly. Every new stable version is carefully tested by users before it is
released. And this release happens when it is ready. Hence few maintenance work is required once
the system is installed and facing problems is very rare.

logo Debian “debian”

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Like numerous other free distributions, Debian is not very sensitive to malware (like viruses, Trojan horses,
spyware…) and for several reasons:

• This large variety of software is available from repositories hosted on servers controlled by the
project. Therefore, it is not necessary to search programs to be installed on dubious sites which
distribute viruses and unwanted programs in addition to the one you were looking for.
• The administrator and the user rights are clearly separated, which helps a lot in limiting the damages:
In case of a viral infection, only the user’s documents are affected. This clear separation of the rights
limits also the risks of error made between the keyboard and the chair. More details on the rights in
chapter 3.7.

The back-up of you data on a regular basis remains the best insurance to protect them against
potential viruses or technical issues, but also against your own mistakes (chap.9).

1.2 Where to find help

Do you need help? The first reflex, if you can, is to consult the documentation. Next come the various
user’s forums, and then a GNU/Linux Group (LUG), if you are lucky enough to be located nearby. There
are also several events dedicated to the free software in various associations: you will be able to schedule
appointments not far from your home by consulting agendas of the Libre software https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/List_of_free-software_events.

• The documentation embedded in the system itself: in general, the installed applications include
a manual available from the command line (chap.3.8) by typing ‘man application_name’ and/or from
the graphical menu with the “Help” button of the application.
• The on-line documentation: when you use a GNU/Linux distribution like Debian, you can access
a detailed on-line documentation, with a list of the functionalities of the embedded applications.
Debian provides you an official documentation: https://wiki.debian.org.
• Self-help and support forums: the free software community is divided into a host of forums, sites
and blogs of information. Finding your way in this abundance of communication is sometimes tricky,
and you should rather prefer the sites dedicated to your own environment or distribution. Concerning
Debian, the main self-help forum is available to support you: the Debian User forum (https://forums.
debian.net/). You could get some extra information on the Debian Official Support page: https:
//www.debian.org/support
• Associations and LUGs: if you are lucky, you are living not too far from a Linux users group or an
association where members meet on a regular basis. In this case don’t hesitate to pay them a visit
for a little chat (https://tldp.org/HOWTO/User-Group-HOWTO-3.html)

Debian banner

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1.2.1 About forums, geeks, and the terminal

The self-help and support GNU/Linux community mainly consists of passionate volunteers who
share their knowledge with great pleasure. They are also very technical persons, friendly called the geeks
(usually wearing a beard), with several years of computer practice behind them. This experience leads
them to master the terminal, which is the most efficient tool to manage a GNU/Linux system: therefore,
the very first answers found on the forums will naturally be given in the form of a set of command line
operations. Don’t be scared: in most of the cases a graphical solution (using the mouse within a window)
exists also. Ask kindly and you will get an explanation.
To be able to ask a question on a self-help and support forum you should usually register first.
You need a valid email address to register with, then receive a confirmation request message and, once
registered, the notifications of the answers you got.
Before you ask a question, please remember to look first into the Questions/Answers already solved:
most of the forum include a search function by keyword, which will help you find out if your problem is
already described in there and has a documented solution.
Don’t forget that a forum is usually maintained by volunteers, not to be confused with a post-sales cus-
tomer service organization .

1.3 Few links before moving on

• The Free Software Foundation: https://www.fsf.org/?set_language=en

• About Debian: https://www.debian.org/intro/about.en.html
• Introduction to Debian: https://www.debian.org/intro/index.en.html
• The official Debian Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/DebianIntroduction
• The developer’s corner: https://www.debian.org/devel/
• The historic details: https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/project-history/

Kali Ma Shakti de

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 A simplified introduction to computer

We begin here a scary page…

Let’s start with a simple statement: Software developers and end-users do not speak the same
language…

Dev vs users

But then … how are we going to make it?

Easy: we read the beginner’s handbook!

Within a short period of time, computers became essential tools of the modern life. One issue is that
information and education don’t follow the technical progress at the same pace, nor the needs of the
users.
Therefore, it is difficult for a “new user” to discover the full capabilities of its computer. Moreover we use
generally only few applications.
We will try to simplify this universe as far as possible, in order for you to make the most of your computer
and to enjoy the capabilities of Debian.

6
How does a computer work ?
One launches applications, clicks on icons, types some text in … One needs a computer, a screen, a
keyboard, a mouse.
In this handbook, we will show you the basic manipulations in order to use your mouse and your keyboard.
What use for a computer?
It seems difficult to summarize in few sentences the whole scope of the information technology field. How-
ever its usage is somewhat clear :

• watch a movie: whether it is for your summer vacation footage, or a DVD, or a video file downloaded
from Internet, Debian offers you several multimedia players. An example in this manual with VLC
(chap.6.7)
• listen to music: enjoy your audio CD, your direct radio streaming, or your digital music library with
Rhythmbox (chap.6.8) and without any trouble.
• search for something on Internet: browse the Net, visit pages, contribute to Internet, by using
several Debian web applications, let’s take Firefox as an example (chap.6.6).
• read or write electronic mails: communicate with your family, your contacts, using either your
email client or your web browser (chap.6.4)
• work on formatted documents or presentations: Debian includes several applications, but the
LibreOffice suite (chap.6.9) will let you perform all kinds of office work using compatible formats.
• walk through your family pictures: your memories in one click, simply using the image viewers
integrated on all the Debian desktop.
• print documents or images: Debian uses the CUPS printing server, and its common configura-
tion tool (chap.6.2.2), but you can also use an integrated utility for a simplified printer configuration
(chap.6.2.1)

And this is exactly the know-how you are going to acquire with the beginner’s handbook .

2.1 Test your level of computer skills

Keep in mind that this manual is not cast in stone… Our advices are only suggestions regarding your
computer knowledge …
First of all, you are free!
Importantly, be as honest as possible: we are all beginners in one domain or another (personally, I am
unable to change the injectors in the carburetor of my car) and it is not a fault. The issue is raising only
because computers are taking a large space in our lives, and penalize the newbies. But we are here to
change all that!
The goal of this manual is not to transform you in GNU/Linux sysadmin (short for system administrator),
but simply give you the tools to utilize your computer as you want !
Outright beginner?
You never or rarely used a keyboard? You still wonder why you must “open a window” and what is this
“drag and drop” concept?

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Please continue reading this manual and follow its guidance. You will learn how to use your mouse and
keyboard (the tools to directly interface with the machine), and to recognize the basic elements of your
desktop environment (menus, panels, windows, virtual desktop …)
Then discover Debian and its functionalities.
Novice user?
You are a Windows® user and/or you have a little experience with GNU/Linux, but you never installed it: it
is the right time to choose your flavor of Debian (chap.4) and discover the interface of your future system.
Basic user?
You have already used a Debian derivative and/or another free distribution, and you know exactly what
you need. Let’s jump directly to the serious stuff with the actual installation (chap.5).

2.2 The mouse

The mouse is the physical interface which let you move the pointer on the screen:

the mouse moves are synchronized with those of the little arrow (the pointer) on your desktop.
There are different types of mouse; we will take here the example of the classical mouse with two buttons
and a scrolling wheel.

2.2.1 Left-click and double-click

The left-click (or simple-click) is the most common opearation and is used to point to (or select) either
a folder, or a file or an image, which can then be open with a double-click (pressing twice the mouse
left-button). This left-click is also used to send commands to the computer (by validating a choice) when
one presses on the “button” or something else sensitive to the click (i.e. the cross closing a window).

2.2.2 Right-click

The right-click is used to open a contextual menu (a variable list of options, depending on the software
used and the “object” pointed at by the mouse) in order to modify a file, a folder, a configuration …

2.2.3 Middle-click

The middle-click or scrolling-wheel is used for scrolling and quick copy. If your mouse has neither a
middle button nor a scrolling wheel, the “middle-click” can be emulated by pressing on the two (left and
right) buttons at the same time.

2.2.4 Actions executed with the mouse

The main action of the mouse is to point out an item to open it (in the case of a document for example) or
to launch it (in the case of a link to an application or a menu entry). For that, nothing very complicated,
just place the pointer on the element and then double-click with the left button of your mouse.

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One thing that you SHOULD NEVER DO is to click several times on a button if you think that nothing
happens. It is very possible that an application won’t start “immediately”, it is very depending on your
hardware and the application being launched. As an example, a web browser takes significantly more
time to start up, than the file manager.

play too much with the click, you won’t

2.2.4.1 Drag-and-drop

To graphically move or copy your data, it is enough to “drag” them across the screen and “drop” them
where you want (this is the graphical equivalent of the mv command).
Example: to move a file you just downloaded into another folder, press the left-button on the file in question,
and while you hold the right-button, you move the mouse into the destination folder and then you release
the mouse button:

Drag and drop: point to the file to be moved

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 Drag and drop: hold the button while moving the mouse

Drag and drop: move the mouse into the destination folder

Drag and drop: release the button

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2.2.4.2 Selection of several items

If you need to move, copy or delete several items, you can select them together.
To select a group of contiguous items: press and hold the left-button, move the mouse to drag a
frame around them and release the button when they are all selected. Then you can act on the selection
like explained previously (copy/paste or contextual menu):

Selecting several folders

To select non contiguous items you can:

• either select each item one by one with a combination of the [Ctrl] key on the keyboard and the
left-button of the mouse: hold the [Ctrl] key down and left-click on each element you want to select.
• or select all the elements and then “remove” the undesirable ones using a combination of the [Ctrl]
key on the keyboard and the left-button of the mouse: hold the [Ctrl] key down and left-click on each
element you want to remove from the selection.

Selection of several non-contiguous items

2.2.4.3 Text selection

Put the cursor at the beginning or at the end of the text segment you want to select, then hold the left-button,
and move the mouse over the text you want selected. Then release the mouse button.
You can also double-click (click twice quickly on the mouse left-button) on the first word you want to select
and then move the cursor over.

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 Text selection with the mouse

If you are fast enough, a triple-click will select the entire line or paragraph.

2.2.4.4 Copy and paste a selection

With the right-button: a right-click will display a contextual menu giving you the choice among several
actions, one of them being the requested copy/paste. Put the cursor within the selected segment, right-
click and choose the “copy” action. Then move the cursor where you want to paste the selected text,
right-click again and choose “paste”.

Copy and paste a text segment: copy the selection

Copy and paste a text segment: cursor on destination, right-click > paste

Copy and paste a text segment: selection pasted

With the middle-button: once the text segment is selected, you just need to move the pointer where
you want to paste the selection and do a middle-click. The copy is immediate.

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2.3 The keyboard

The keyboard is the main physical interface to enter data in your computer. But it is not the just the
device which let you enter some words in the Internet search bar, or work with a word processor.
It includes also some special keys, called modifier keys, which allow you to execute quick actions by
modifying the behavior of the “normal” keys.
The combinations of some “special” keys with other “normal” keys form the keyboard shortcuts
(chap.2.3.2).
Default QWERTY keyboard layout

Example of layout for an English keyboard (cc-by-sa)

2.3.1 The modifier keys

The “non-alphanumeric” keys of the keyboard give you access to extended functionalities during action
or edition phases. From the simple carriage return within a text editor with the [Enter] key, to the launch
of a Help window with the [F1] key, find hereafter some descriptions of these special keys:

• [ENTER] The first “special” key, which is not really a modifier key. This is the most important key
of your keyboard since it let you end a command line, launch a search request. Basically this is the
key saying “Yes” to the computer. When a dialog window opens on the screen, either to confirm a
download or delete an application, take the time to read the message before pressing [Enter].
• [Ctrl] or [Control] Located at the bottom of your keyboard, on both sides of the space bar, it is the
default key used for the shortcuts.
• [Alt] or [Function] By default this key displays the specific shortcuts of an application. Within an
open window, pressing the [Alt] key reveals the shortcuts to navigate through the menus or trigger
some actions. These shortcut keys are identified by an underscore.
• [AltGr] let you use the hidden characters of the keyboard. More information in the dedicated section
(chap.2.3.3).
• [Tab] or [Tabulation] Symbolized by two opposite horizontal arrows. It allows you to complete a
command or navigate through the various fields of a form, or menus of a window.

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 • [Shift] or [Uppercase] Key symbolized by a wide up-arrow. let you type capitalized characters, and
sometimes numbers (depending on your keyboard layout), some special characters like “@”,“%”,
“&” etc.
• [CapsLock] or [Capital Lock] Key symbolized by a lock or a larger [Shift], causes all letters to be
generated in capitals until deactivated. Equivalent to a [Shift] key down permanently.
• [ESC] or [Escape] This key cancels the latest entry of a modifier, or closes a dialog box asking the
user to make a choice (equivalent to click on the “Cancel” button in the dialog box).
• [F1], [F2]…[F12] Execute various functions… by definition. The [F1] key is often used to launch the
Help function within applications, [F11] to switch to full-screen mode, for example.

2.3.2 Keyboard shortcuts

Why bother? Because it’s much faster!

Note that the shortcuts are triggered by pressing down the keys together, at the same time: to copy a
selection, press and hold the [Ctrl] key, then press the ‘c’ key. You can then release both keys, a clone of
your selection is stored in the “clipboard” (a special buffer located in the memory of the operating system).
Hereafter a short summary of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut Action

[Shift] + arrows Make a selection

[Ctrl] + ‘c’ Copy the current selection (in the “clipboard”)
[Ctrl] + ‘x’ Cut the current selection (and save it in the “clipboard”)
[Ctrl] + ‘v’ Paste the latest copy/cut selection from the “clipboard”
[Ctrl] + ‘f’ Find a word or an expression
[Ctrl] + ‘+/-’ or Mouse-scrolling-wheel Zoom in/out of the screen display
[Alt] + [F4] Close the active window
[Alt] + [Tab] Jump from an open window to the next one
[F1] Open the Help function of the active application
[F11] Switch to full-screen mode

Note that some functionalities are not only available on text segments (like copy/paste), but on files also: if
you select several pictures in your ‘Pictures’ folder, make a [Ctrl]+‘c’ and then a [Ctrl]+‘v’ on your desktop,
your selected pictures will be copied there. In the same way, [Ctrl]+mouse-scrolling-wheel will zoom in or
out the content of your Internet navigator, as well as the content of a file manager window.

2.3.3 Special characters

Keyboards can’t contain as many keys as available characters. In order to write the particular characters
in English, it is necessary to combine the keys like the shortcuts (simultaneously pressing of the keys)

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First, a preview of the QWERTY’s “hidden” keys:

Special characters available on QWERTY keyboard layout (cc-by-sa)

Each symbol is associated with a key combination. So to write “©”, you’ll have to simultaneously press
[AltGr] + ‘c’.

Available characters with the ‘c’ key

2.4 Online exercises

The beginner’s handbook provide you a mouse and keyboard training page.
Right or left click, movement with the mouse, special characters, keyboard selection … enough to get
started with your keyboard and your mouse quickly from a simple online interface:
https://lescahiersdudebutant.arpinux.org/exercices/index-en.html

2.5 The users

One of the great strengths of the GNU/Linux systems is their user management. The separation of rights
and responsibilities provides a better security level when executing system administration tasks or ex-
changing data on the net. Small explanation …

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2.5.1 $USER

Generally YOU are the user, of course. Sometimes one talks about the Chair-To-Keyboard
interface (abbreviated CTKI), since it’s very true that you are sitting between the chair and the keyboard,
or the mouse. When you work on your computer, it does not see you. It feels only the actions made by a
user with a login-name and sometimes a password.
Each user is allowed to perform a certain number of actions. Your user can, for example, use the keyboard
and the mouse, read and write some documents (files), but not all of them. We call that rights: to execute
administrative tasks, one must obtain the root administrator rights (chap.3.8.3).

2.5.2 #ROOT

Only one user has all the rights, it is the administrator. This special user is able to exe-
cute some tasks (in particular for the system administration) that other normal users cannot perform by
themselves. But a single mistake in an operation made by this root user could potentially break the whole
system.
At home, on your desktop computer, you can use your system both as a normal user and as an admin-
istrator. Some well defined actions have to take place in order to switch from one role to the other, like
typing the root administrator password (chap.3.8.3).

2.5.3 Separate to secure

This clean distinction, which, by the way, does not always exist under other operating sys-
tems, strengthens the stability and security of the Debian GNU/Linux system, as mentioned at the be-
ginning of this manual. When working as simple/normal user you cannot make your computer unusable
(brick it), and the potential viruses cannot infect the whole system.
More details on rights and permissions in the chapter 3.7.

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 The graphical environment

Let’s start by looking at the various elements displayed on the screen. On this simple image, you
can already identify the first elements which are explained below in this handbook:

The LXQt desktop with the application menu and the PCManFM file manager

The “panel” or task bar (at the bottom of the screen, in this example, but it can be moved wherever you
wish) which could include the “application menu” listing your installed software, a collection of launchers
(small icons) for your favorite applications, the list of the currently open windows, the time, the notification
area…
A file manager window which displays the folders contained in your home directory.
You will discover other interfaces and layouts in the chapter dedicated to desktop environments
(chap.4.2).

17
3.1 The task bar

The “panel”, the task bar, the notification area… all these words to talk about the information and launcher
interface of your system.
Usually, it is a banner located at the top or the bottom of your screen, displaying several types of infor-
mation, launchers, menus to quickly access your data or your applications, but also informing you (new
email has arrived, what time it is, a USB disk was just plugged in…) via the notification area.
Here after a quick overview of the various “panels” on the Debian desktops: Gnome, Xfce, LXDE, MATE,
Cinnamon, KDE and LXQt:

Gnome-Shell panel

Xfce panel

LXDE panel

MATE up & down panel

Cinnamon panel

KDE panel

LXQt panel

Irrelevant of the type of desktop, the task bar displays, at least, the following elements:

• An application menu, letting you have access to the installed software tools. In general, the appli-
cations are sorted and grouped by categories (Multimedia, Office…) and are launched by a left-click
on their labels or icons.

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 • A list of active windows or at least the title of the active windows. Depending on the context,
a left click on the corresponding button will minimize, restore or bring to the foreground the target
application.
• The time with the date also displayed when the cursor hovers on the area. On some desktops an
agenda is open by a left-click on the time.
• A notification area with more or less information, depending on the desktop, intended to display
messages coming from your applications (new email, network connection …)
• An action button to quit the working session, to suspend, stop or restart your computer. Depending
on your configuration you might switch user, with this button, and take advantage of the multi-user
mode of the Debian GNU/Linux systems.

Like almost all the elements of the GNU/Linux desktops, the task bar can be configured and embellished
by plug-ins (little specialized modules) or simply removed !
A right-click on the “panel” opens a drop down menu allowing you to change its configuration (except for
the Gnome-3 desktop). Hereafter an example of configuration for the Xfce panel:

Accessing the Xfce panel configuration with a right-click

The 3 tabs of the Xfce panel configuration

More details in the GNU/Linux desktop discovery section (chap.4.2).

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3.2 Menus

The various applications installed in your system are available through several vectors: launchers on the
desktop, or in the task bars, and more generally using the menus.
In the menus, your programs are listed and sorted by categories. A left-click on the menu icon displays
the application and section entries. A left-click on a program icon launches the corresponding application.
Each desktop has its own specific menu:

Menu grouped by category on Cinnamon

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 Classic dropdown menus on LXQt or XFCE

Full-screen menu on Gnome-Shell

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3.3 Windows

The Firefox web browser and the file manager on Gnome

Your applications, your data, your USB keys, are usually displayed within a decorated frame. Each desk-
top environment decorates windows its own way, but most of the times they implement the same functions:

• the title bar at the top displays the window title and the action buttons (minimize/maximize/close)
• the decorations around the window, which include two areas at the bottom to resize the window
using a mouse left-click
• the status area: some applications display informations at the bottom of the window (like free
space available in the active partition, size of the file currently pointed at …)

Actions on windows are possible with the keyboard: either directly with a function key, or by using a
keyboard shortcut (chap.2.3.2), but generally your mouse will do the job.

3.3.1 Closing a window

To close a window, left-click on its “close” button, usually symbolized by a cross in the top right corner of
the window.

Closing a window with the mouse

3.3.2 Moving a window

To move a window on your screen simply move your pointer on the title bar (the top banner of the window)
then press and hold the left-click. The pointer will then change its usual look:

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from to
The window will then follow the mouse motion until you release the left button.
If you don’t have access to the title bar, you can use the special [Alt] key on your keyboard.
Put your pointer on the window you want to move, then press the [Alt] key together with the mouse left-click
to grab and move your window.

3.3.3 Resizing a window

Windows are automatically open on the screen with a certain size. To close them, we have seen already
that we need to click on the close button symbolized by a cross.
To resize a window, you need to move your cursor on the borders of the window or, even better, on one
of the bottom corners.
The pointer will then change its usual look:

from to or depending on its left or right position. When the look of the pointer changes,
press the left-button and move the mouse to resize the window like you want.
An alternative solution consists in using the special [Alt] key on your keyboard. Move the pointer inside
the window, then press together the [Alt] key and the right-button of the mouse. Then you will be able to
resize the window.
To maximize the window, double-click (click twice quickly with the mouse left-button) on the title-bar
(when using the GNOME environment) or use the maximize button located next to the close button, if
present (and it is the case on most of the desktops).

3.4 Virtual desktops

To avoid overloading your workspace, the Debian GNU/Linux environments support, since several years,
the virtual desktop concept: the elements displayed on your screen lay upon a “desktop”. You can have
several of them, which means that if you move to another “desktop”, it will be empty at first. If you re-
turn back to the previous desktop, you will find it in the same state as when you left it (with your open
applications on screen).

… “Several desktops” … What do you mean exactly ??

Well, it’s like having several screens for your computer, lined up behind each other, with the capability
to change their order at will.
You open the Internet navigator full screen on the first virtual desktop, then you feel like having a look at
your latest family pictures. So you go to the next desktop which happens to be empty, and you can
then display there your pictures also in full screen mode, and return back to the first desktop and enjoy

thebeginnershandbook 23 Contents
the full real estate for the comfort of your navigation.
It is also a nice mean to get organized with your tasks: the first desktop is reserved for the Internet
applications, the second for the multimedia, the third for the office work and so on, allowing you to leave
open your work in progress, for future modifications, without impacting the other activities.
Each environment has its own way to represent the virtual desktops:

• Gnome displays shrunk desktops under the search box:

Gnome virtual desktops

• Xfce displays the virtual desktops in its top panel, within frame shapes representing the different
workspaces:

Xfce and 4 virtual desktops shown in the panel

3.5 File management on GNU/Linux

All your data, your videos, your documents, your pictures, are regarded by Debian GNU/Linux as files,
and these files are organized into folders.
Debian is an operating system (the big piece of software making your computer functional) which orga-
nizes the data according to their respective addresses, that is the path to follow, in order to access them,
from the top level starting point (the system root identified by the “/” symbol).

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… the picture of grandma is a “file” having an “address” relative to a “root” ???
Imagine your computer is like your house. If your favorite book is located in a certain place, this
“place” is like an address relative to the “house”. For example, if the book is stored in the second
drawer of your nightstand, one can define its address (the path to follow in order to reach it) like this:
home,bedroom,nightstand,2nd drawer,favorite book.
To separate the various “items” we use the “/” symbol, which gives the following address in computer
language: /home/bedroom/nightstand/2nd drawer/favorite book.
The “root” of the system is symbolized by a simple “/”. The main folder containing all the users data is
symbolized by “/home/”, and your personal folder is named “/home/alice/”.
If we come back to the favorite book example, its address could be:
“/home/alice/Documents/books/my_favorite_book.pdf”

3.5.1 Your personal data

The file manager PCManFM, on LXQt, with two opened tabs

Your personal data are stored within your personal folder, whose address is “/home/your_user_name”.
They are organized within folders to ease the finding and consulting of the various files, by yourself or by
some programs (it is very logical for a photo viewer to look first at the “Pictures” folder).

3.5.2 Your hidden files

Some items within your personal folder, relate to your interface configuration, the various fonts you are
using, your passwords stored in Firefox, etc.

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This type of data does not need to be always displayed on the screen when you consult your photos or
documents: this is why these items are usually hidden.
They are identified by the form “/home/your_user_name/.hidden_file”. Please note the “.” (dot) symbol in
front of the file name.
When you want to unveil them, press together [Ctrl]+‘h’ (h obviously for “hidden”), or from the menu of
your file manager window goto “View” > “Show Hidden Files”:

Hiddden files on display with PCManFM on LXQt

3.5.3 The file system

Debian GNU/Linux includes a collection of programs to navigate on the Internet, or inside your personal
folder, or among all your photo albums, etc. These programs are stored inside “system folders”.
These folders are write-protected and some are also read-protected: this means that you can consult
some of them, but you may not modify any of them, as being a simple user.
In order to modify these items, you need to use the system administrator account: “root” (chap.3.8.3).

3.6 An example of file manager: Thunar

Thunar is the file manager by default with the Xfce desktop. This program lets you navigate through your
various folders, “Pictures”, “Documents”, etc. by using the mouse (double-click on a folder to look into its
content) or the keyboard (navigate among the folders with the arrows keys, and press [Enter] to open the
selected one).The role of a file manager is to display on screen the content of these folders: your personal
data. Thunar is accessible from the Xfce application menu in the task bar, under the name “file manager”.
Each GNU/Linux desktop environment has its dedicated file manager (otherwise it’s not funny) that has
a slightly different interface than Thunar. However, they all support the same functions of consultation,

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search and modification of the data.

3.6.1 Simplified presentation of Thunar

When Thunar displays your personal folder, a number of information and tools are already available:

Presentation of the Thunar file manager

• #1 The title bar: displays the folder being viewed and the program which was launched. It includes
the “action buttons” allowing you, with a mouse left-click, to minimize the window (then it will be
parked in the task bar), to maximize the window (it will occupy the full screen), to close the window
or any other actions available with the window manager in use.
• #2 The menu bar: each menu gives you the possibility to act on items (copy/paste/delete/rename,
etc.), to change the location, the view style (Icons, Detailed List, Compact List), and even to close
the window, always with a left-click. If the menu bar is hidden, you can display it with the shortcut
“Ctrl”+“m”.
• #3 The location bar: tells you which folder you are currently in, and, if there is enough room, the
latest visited folder(s).
• #4 The tab bar: tells you which folders are open in the active windows. Thunar tabs operate like
those in your Internet navigator.
• #5 The side pane: displays the main folders (personal folder, wastebasket, file system, desktop),
your shortcuts (favorite folders) and the external volumes (USB keys or hard disk drives plugged
as USB devices). A left-click on the label will display the selected folder. A middle-click will open
the folder in a new tab (handy to copy or move data). The side pane can also display the tree
structure of your system, that is the complete set of your folders and files sorted hierarchically. You
can mask/display the side pane with the keyboard shortcut [Ctrl]+‘b’.

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 • #6 The main pane: displays the folder content. If this folder includes other folders, they are po-
sitioned before the “simple” files (like photos, PDF documents, etc.) and, by default, sorted by
alphabetic order (you can change the sort type from the menu > View > “sort by”).
• #7 The status bar: displays the number of items in the concerned folder, and the free remaining
space in the current file system, or indicates if one or several items are selected.

3.6.2 Usage and functionality of Thunar

Thunar will let you consult your data, sort them, and modify them.
Note that other file managers have a different look and feel (GTK3), like placing the application menu
directly in the title bar like Gnome for example (chap.4.2.1).

3.6.2.1 Consulting your data

Consulting your data is very easy. Launch Thunar which, by default, opens your personal folder. You can
then decide to open another specific folder depending on the type of data you are looking for.
To open or explore a folder, put the mouse pointer over it: a double-click with the left button will open
this folder in the same window. A middle-click will open the folder in a new window tab.
You can also click on the shortcuts located in the left side pane of the Thunar window.
To open a file, put the mouse pointer over it: a double-click with the left button will open this file with
the application assigned to it by default. A right-click will display a contextual menu which, among other
things, allows you to open the file with another application of your choice.

3.6.2.2 Data selection

To select several items move the mouse cursor in an empty area of the window, left-click,hold and simply
move over all the items that you want selected. Then release the button.
After this, you can remove one or several items from the selection using the shortcut [Ctrl]+left-click on
each of them.
More details in the simplified initiation (chap.2.2.4.2).
Once selected, you can apply some modifications to these items as detailed in the “Modifications” chapter
below.

3.6.2.3 Classifying the data

You are going to say:

I can do whatever I want with my own data

… and you are damn right !

However some applications will access your data more easily if they are stored in their specific folders.
Thus, the screen capture program will record its shots in the “Pictures” folder, the Internet navigator will

thebeginnershandbook 28 Contents
store your downloaded files in the “Downloads” folder, the music player will look into the “Music” folder …
And so on.
Thunar allows you to create shortcuts to ease the access, the classification and thus the retrieving of your
data.
To create a shortcut, just “drag and drop” the desired folder in the side pane. This folder will then be
always accessible with a simple click.

3.6.2.4 Data modification using the contextual menu

A contextual menu shows up when right-clicking on an item (I.E. either a folder or a file), and then, let you
make a number of actions/modifications on this selected item.
Note that if you selected several items, modifications will then be applied to the whole selection.

Contextual menu in Thunar

In our example the contextual menu proposes the following actions:

• Open with the default application, here the Ristretto image viewer.
• Open with another application: if you choose this option, another window will open and let you
navigate in the system to select a different application (start searching in /usr/bin/‘app-name’).
• Send To is a menu to share this item via email, or create a link on the desktop, or other different
actions depending on the type of item selected.
• Cut: this action will remove the selected item with the goal of pasting it somewhere else. It is
then enough to navigate into the destination folder, to make a right-click on an empty area of the
window and to pick the “Paste” action in the menu.
• Copy: this action leaves the selected item in its original folder, but let you copy (clone) it into the
destination folder, following the same procedure as the one described in the “Cut” action above.
• Move to Wastebasket: this action removes the selected item from its parent folder and move it
directly into the Trash Bin (see next chapter)

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 • Rename: this action let you modify the name of the selected item.
• Set as wallpaper: is rather explicit and appears only if a image type file is selected.
• Create Archive: this action allows you to compress one or several selected item(s). In the window
that opens, you can choose the destination folder, by navigating in the side pane, enter a name for
this archive and select its type. Then click on the “New” button to start the archive process.
• Properties: this action let you modify the name of a file, the default application when you open it,
assign an “emblem” (or tag) to it or manage the access rights and “Permissions” of the selected
item.

3.6.2.5 Data removal

The famous “Trash bin” (or “Wastebasket”) is reachable directly from the side pane of the Thunar window.
The “full bin” icon indicates that some items are currently in the wastebasket.

Empty the Wastebasket using the sidebar icon

To empty the Wastebasket and remove definitively all the items in there, left-click on its proper icon
and select the “Empty Wastebasket” action. You can also use the “File” menu and then click on “Empty
Wastebasket”.
Sometimes the context menu has the “Delete” entry. Be careful because this menu entry will not move
your files to the recycle bin: they will be deleted immediately and definitively.

3.7 Rights and permissions

Debian is a multi-user GNU/Linux system. It is therefore necessary to put in place a mechanism to protect
the items belonging to each user, so that user alice could not modify the “tax & due” list of user arp, for
example.
To achieve this goal, each file and each folder belongs to one owner and to one users group.
For each item, one can give Read, Write and eXecute rights distinctly to its owner, its group or all the
others (I.E. persons which are neither the owner nor a member of the proprietary group).
To display these information, one can use the “ls” (list directory content) command, with the option “-l”,
within a terminal window (that you will discover in the next chapter):

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 ls -l
-rw-r----- 1 arp money 1794 Nov 20 14:46 tax-and-due.txt

Here, one can see that the user arp has the “read” and “write” rights, on the file ‘tax-and-due.txt’, while
the members of the money group (which user alice is part of) can only “read” this file, but not modify it,
and the others cannot even open it (“-”, means no right).

Rights and permissions

3.7.1 Rights and permissions from the contextual menu

The file managers integrated in the various Debian desktops let you also display and/or modify the rights
and permissions of your system folders and files “with the mouse only”. To do so, you need to open the
contextual menu with a right-click on the file/folder you are interested in, and click on “Properties”. In the
new window which opens, click on the “Permissions” tab:

Contextual menu: properties

In this example, the file belongs to “Me” (dave), who has the Read and Write access, like my group “dave”,
while the other users have no access at all.

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3.8 The terminal

When you launch an application from the menu, or when you move a file from a folder to another by using
your mouse, you send instructions to your computer in graphical mode.
These instructions can also be sent directly, without going trough a menu or launching an application,
thanks to the Terminal which gives you access to the command line. This tool is more powerful than
the graphical interface because it let you use all the options available in your application. It is also your
last resort when the graphical session is gone.
The only concern is that this little black box, full of strange signs, is somewhat frightening … But we are
going to demystify all this and show you that the terminal can become your new friend .
In case of doubts, don’t hesitate to ask your questions in the support and help forums (chap.1.2).

Never run terminal tests in administrator mode !! : some very useful commands like “rm” (remove)
allow you to bypass the “wastebasket” principle, but could be devastating on the entire system when you
are running them in administrator mode.

3.8.1 Presentation

Terminal presentation

Let’s simply start with what you see written in this terminal window:

• the user, its you, or more exactly the one who is logged in and uses the terminal
• the host name, is the name of the machine on your local network, a name you did enter during the
system installation
• the path, is the place where you are currently located in the file system (here the personal folder
‘/home/arp/’ symbolized by the tilde “~”)

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 • the prompt delimiter, (symbolized here by the “$” sign) after which you will type the command
line. Its output (or “feed back”) will be displayed on the following line(s) of the terminal.

The configuration of the full prompt string resides in the ‘~/.bashrc’ (hidden file in your personal folder)
“bash” interpreter configuration file. The bash program is handling the commands entered in the terminal
(to make a long story short); it enables you to send commands, typed in the terminal, to the computer
system in order to give it various instructions or obtain some information back. Please note that you can
also customize the Terminal display with the menu “Edit > Preference”.

3.8.2 User mode example

To tame the beast, we are going to start with a simple “cd” (standing for “change directory”), which let
you walk through the file system.
When you open a Terminal, you are located by default in the personal folder of the user logged-in (here it
is the /home/arp/ $Home folder). This folder includes the sub-folders Pictures, Downloads, etc.
To go down into the ‘Pictures’ sub-folder, I type in the words “cd Pictures” - without the quotes - (and the
uppercase is of importance here, hence the necessity to clearly identify the item names one is looking
at…) then I press [Enter] to send the command. To reach this ‘Pictures’ folder from anywhere in the file
system, you would need to provide its full path ‘/home/arp/Pictures’ (replace ‘arp’ by your user name):

Using “cd” to navigate the file system in the Terminal console

You can see here that, within the command prompt prefix, the path “~” has been changed to “~/Pictures”,
because you changed the folder you were in, and this is exactly like opening a folder by using your graph-
ical file manager.
However, when you open a folder with the file manager, you “see” all the items in there. Within a terminal
you need to list the items with the “ls” command:

List of existing folders and files with “ls”

… easy, isn’t it ? See, you did not break anything. Yes, but you are going to tell me that this stuff is rather
useless…

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OK, lets move on to cooler commands:
‘uname -r’ gives the version of the active Linux kernel.

Console : uname -r

‘uptime’ gives the elapsed time, since the system is up and running, how many users are currently logged
in, the system load average for the past 1, 5, 15 minutes, in order to see if the process waiting list is not
too long. If the load is over 1 (for old computers) or 2 (for dual-cores and +) this means that one process
is running while another one is waiting.

Console : uptime

You want to return back in your personal folder ? Just a small and simple ‘cd’ and you are @home.

Console : cd

Your screen is a bit crowded ? A small ‘clear’ will empty the console.

Console : clear

3.8.3 Administrator mode example

On a GNU/Linux system, an administrator is a user who has the right to manage the system, install or
remove applications and modify “normal” user accounts (among other tasks). You can get administrator
rights via the “root” account or substitute yourself to it thanks to “sudo”.

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3.8.3.1 “root” and “user”

If the Debian installation was done by creating both “root” superuser and “normal” user account
(for a regular system usage), to place an order in administrator mode when the session was opened as a
“normal” user, Debian uses the “su -” command. You are then asked to enter the superuser password,
nothing is displayed on the screen when typing the password in, this is normal.
Example: Debian system opened by the “normal” user: “user”

user@debian-pc:~$ su -
Password:
root@debian-pc:~# apt update

You note that the “$” sign (the command prompt delimiter), as been replaced by the “#” sign, indicating
that you are now using the “root” administrator account.
Once connected as “root” in the terminal session, you can launch system administration commands, for
example here, a package repository update within a Gnome terminal, using the command “apt update”.

3.8.3.2 “user” without “root”

If the Debian installation was done with the superuser account disabled (the root password was left
empty during the installation process), the “normal” user is able to gain the superuser privilege by using
the “sudo” command. When using sudo you will be asked to enter your own password.
Looking for update example:

user@debian-pc:~$ sudo apt update

[sudo] Password for user :
Get :1 http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security InRelease [65,4 kB]
Hit : 2 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm InRelease
Get :3 http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates InRelease [49,3 kB]
Hit :4 http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security/main amd64 \
Packages [185 kB]
Get :5 http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security/main \
Translation-en [98,9 kB]
Fetched 399 kB in 4s (97,0 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
3 packages can be upgraded. Run 'apt list --upgradable' to see them.

Look again at this package list update example, that is the retrieval of the latest information concerning
packages and potential updates. After the completion of this package list update (verifying the reposito-
ries), we launch “sudo apt upgrade” to execute the available updates for the software you have installed.
This is what you will see in your terminal window :

user@debian-pc:~$ sudo apt upgrade

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done

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 Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
bluetooth bluez libicu63
3 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 9374 kB of archives.
After this operation, 3072 B of disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] Y

Please note the “Y” character to accept the update.

On Gnu/Linux, when a process must modify the system, it usually asks you for a confirmation. Here the
terminal informs you about the various types of expected changes and wait for your agreement, either by
simply pressing [Enter] if you accept the default option (here “Yes”) or by typing “y” to accept or “n” to
decline.
Let’s continue the download of the packages from the Debian servers:

Get :1 http://security.debian.org/debian-securit.....
Get :2 http://security.debian.org/debian-securit.....
Get :3 http://security.debian.org/debian-securit.....
Fetched 9374 kB in 1min 1s (154 kB/s)
Extracting templates from packages: 100%
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 123419 files and directories currently installed.)
Setting up libicu63:amd64 (63.1-6+deb10u1) ...
[...]
Setting up bluez (5.50-1.2~deb10u1) ...
Installing new version of config file /etc/bluetooth/input.conf ...
Setting up bluetooth (5.50-1.2~deb10u1)
Processing triggers for systemd (241-7~deb10u3)
Processing triggers for man-db (2.8.5-2)
Processing triggers for dbus (1.12.16-1)
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.28-10)
user@debian-pc:~$

If you accept the changes, you will see the complete process of downloading, configuring and installing
the concerned packages. Then the terminal will “give the control back to you” by displaying the command
prompt, “user@debian-pc:~$”
That’s it, you just updated your system using the terminal!

You must be extremely strict when you send commands in administrator mode. To avoid errors, use the
auto-completion feature. This mechanism allows the computer to complete the commands you started
typing (3 characters are enough), or their corresponding arguments. This is accomplished by pressing on
the [Tab] key. If several choices are possible, they will be proposed to you as well.
A short summary of the GNU/Linux commands is proposed at the end of this manual (chap.11).

thebeginnershandbook 36 Contents
 Pick your Debian

Debian is an operating system offered in several flavors, and you will need to make a choice depending
on your tastes, your needs and your hardware.

4.0.1 Choosing a Debian derivative?

There are a lot of Debian derivatives out there, more or less stable and/or supported (Linux Mint Debian
Edition, AntiX, MXLinux, etc…) . This manual and the indications in there can be used for all the Debian
Stable “Bookworm” derivatives.

The GNU/Linux distributions are not all supported by a community the same way Debian is. Sometime,
a single person handle the entire distribution. The different distributions do not provide the same level of
documentation and support. They also do not offer the same durability. Choosing a “mother” distribution
like Debian insures you to receive stable and regular updates.
If you want to test other distributions based on Debian, we suggest you consult the Debian derivatives of-
ficial page (https://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/CensusFull). If you want to consult a more comprehensive
list, visit Distrowatch.com which enumerates almost all the available active distributions.

4.0.2 Alternatives to Debian

Because no, life is not just about “Debian”

Other projects develop systems for beginners in the GNU/Linux world. If you want to try another system,
let’s take a look at the GNU/Linux distributions dedicated chapter in the Software Directory (chap.12.3).

4.0.3 You want to try the Debian journey

Let’s go ! The rest of this manual will help you to:

• choose the processor architecture (chap.4.1),

• choose your main interface (chap.4.2),
• launch the installation (chap.5).

37
4.1 Choosing the architecture

The processor, which is the compute and control unit of your computer, functions under a specific type
of architecture, that is it handles data according to its own type (32 or 64 bits, PowerPC …).
We encourage you to use an ISO image of type “netinst” (chap.5.2.1.1), which gives you access to the
most up-to-date software versions by downloading directly the applications during the installation process
(you need an active and stable Internet connection during the install). This version will let you install the
desktop of your choice.
You can also use an ISO image already including a ready-to-use environment (Gnome, KDE, Xfce …).
But you must choose an ISO corresponding to your processor architecture. In other words, decide be-
tween a 32-bit or a 64-bit version, or again between an i386 or an amd64 version.
Note that the “32-bit” version will run on a “64-bit” computer, but not vice-versa.

4.1.1 To make it easy

• If your computer has a sticker indicating “coreDuo”, “core2duo”, or was built after the year 2005,
you can take an “amd64” ISO.
• If your computer proudly displays the sign “Pentium IV M” or was born before 2003, take an “i386”
version.
• In case of doubts, you can take the 32-bit “i386” version, it functions everywhere.
• In case of a huge doubt, ask the question on a forum (chap.1.2)

4.1.2 Checking the architecture

Using a GNU/Linux distribution in an autonomous “live” session (chap.5.3.1), open a terminal, and in
order to find out the 32 or 64 bits compatibility, type the following command:

lscpu | grep -i "mode(s)"

which returns the explicit result, here an example when using an ‘amd64’ processor:

CPU op-mode(s): 32-bit, 64-bit

Using a Windows® system, your processor model is displayed in the “General” tab of the menu Start
Button > Configuration Panel > System. It is then necessary to carry out a research on Internet to check
if this processor is compatible with a 64-bit system (for example, the indication under Windows Vista with
the heading “Type of system: 32-bit”, does not mean that the processor is not also compatible with a
64-bit system).

4.2 Choosing your GNU/Linux desktop

Debian let you adopt one or several desktop environments directly from the installer interface: Gnome,
Gnome Flashback, KDE, Mate, Cinnamon, Xfce, LXDE and LXQt.

thebeginnershandbook 38 Contents
… But why several Gnu/Linux “desktops” ?
The computer is only a tool, and even if we ask you sometime to learn a couple of tricks to make an
effective use of it, it is still your tool, and as such it must be highly adaptable to your taste, your working
habit, and to your own way to have fun.
With this perspective, each desktop has its own organization, its setting method, its various functionalities.
And it is not a superfluous diversity, designed by the brain mazes of some bearded geeks (although…),
but rather a strength of the free software: knowing how to propose rather than to impose!
Hereafter the description of the main characteristics of this various environments, to help you decide which
one to use. And then you will be able to add more of them, according to your needs and preferences.
The two main desktops are Gnome and KDE, but they are also the more “resource-hungry” solutions, so
don’t hesitate to test other environments.
– Integrated applications –
Each desktop environment is designed to offer a minimal functionality for the personal usage of your com-
puter.
So, within all the desktops presented here, you will find the Firefox Internet browser (chap.6.6), a file sys-
tem manager, a text editor, the LibreOffice suite (chap.6.9), a multimedia player (except on MATE DE,
but it’s easy to add one) and an access to a software library in order to maintain, update or make changes
in your installation.

The geek-girl by Péhä cc-by-ca

thebeginnershandbook 39 Contents
4.2.1 Gnome

Gnome: desktop layout

The Gnome-Shell interface is the default desktop for Debian 12 “Bookworm” and offers:
The Activities Overview, which is a separate view designed to enable users to get an overview of their
current activities and to enable effective focus switching. It can be accessed via the activities button at
the left of the top bar or by pressing the “Win” key of the keyboard. This view includes:

• A series of application launchers (that you can easily add or remove using the drag and drop method,
or by using a right-click on the “dock”).
• All the open applications.
• The capability to dispatch the applications to several virtual desktops (visualized under the search
box).
• A search engine for applications, files and even contacts.

The Time manager, at the center of the top bar, has an on click calendar, linked to the mail client,
calendar and contacts.
A system settings manager at the top right, giving access to the different parameters regarding the
screen brightness, the sound, the network, the session, and some other system settings.

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 Gnome: Time manager and System menu

Gnome includes a general detailed help mechanism, that you can access via the dock, by default, and
this should reassure all the beginners, and make them a lot more comfortable:

Gnome: integrated comprehensive help

Main applications:

• Internet communications: Evolution (alternative to Thunderbird)

• Video player: Totem (chap.6.7)
• Audio player: Rhythmbox (chap.6.8)
• File system manager: Nautilus (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Nautilus)

Minimum user level: complete novice / beginner

Gnome project home page: https://www.gnome.org/
More details in the dedicated section of this manual (chap.7.1.1).

thebeginnershandbook 41 Contents
4.2.2 Gnome Flashback

Gnome Flashback offers a Gnome 3 session that will allow you to experience the user experience of
the Gnome 2 interface. Gnome Flashback offers a simple and clean interface, while retaining the main
features of the Gnome 3 desktop.

Gnome Flashback desktop on Debian

Gnome Flashback offers fewer applications than the default Gnome-Shell desktop, but you will find the
essentials softwares for the daily use of your computer.
This session was first offered as an alternative to the Gnome-Shell session in the form of a Classic Gnome
session (chap.7.1.1.4). Although this alternative still exists on Gnome-Shell, Gnome Flashback is now an
independent desktop available upon installation of Debian.
This desktop also features the Gnome Help utility, making getting started with your system particularly
easy.

Gnome Flashback includes Gnome Help Center

Gnome Flashback is also a little less resource intensive than Gnome-Shell.

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A clean interface, of course, but perfectly configurable from the “Tweaks” and “Settings” menu entries:

Gnome Flashback configuration on Debian

Main applications:

• Internet communications: Evolution (alternative to Thunderbird)

• Videos player: Totem (chap.6.7)
• File system manager: Nautilus (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Nautilus)

Minimum user level: complete novice / beginner

Gnome Flashback home page: https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/GnomeFlashback

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4.2.3 KDE

The KDE Plasma desktop on Debian

KDE is a project delivering a graphical environment (called “Plasma”) and a full set of applications. KDE
is highly configurable, both in terms of desktop environment and supported applications. KDE has so
many capabilities that some people even find difficult to deal with it. Note that you can use KDE without
any particular configuration tuning. It can be fully functional with its “out-of-the-box” settings.
The KDE environment is visually close to Windows®, and offers:

• KDE Application launcher: the menu giving you access to the entire system.
• Graphical components: the modules you can place anywhere on your desktop to enjoy additional
functionalities.
• Activity manager: a banner which integrates your pending tasks, your appointments… another way
to help you with your daily work.
• Plasma: KDE is delivered with a collection of applications integrated in the “Plasma” desktop, and
providing a fluid and consistent graphical experience.

More than any other GNU/Linux desktop, you can transform KDE according to your needs and desires.
KDE is a very complete environment and has a configuration center, as well as a built-in help center.
To launch the control center, navigate to the main menu > Applications > Configuration > System Settings.

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 KDE System Settings on Debian

If you cannot find an application, you can enter its name or function in the search box of the main menu.
KDE uses Konqueror, a file manager that is also able to surf the Web… No need to open several appli-
cations to consult, view, classify, etc. Here after, a split view of Konqueror in action:

The Konqueror Web/file browser on KDE

KDE, like Gnome, integrates a very comprehensive help center directly available from the main menu
> Applications > Help Centre. So even if KDE is full of widgets, panels, activities… you’ll find your way
around.

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 KDE Help Centre launcher

KDE Help Centre

Main applications:

• Internet Navigator: Konqueror (https://apps.kde.org/konqueror/), Firefox

• Internet communications: Kmail (https://userbase.kde.org/KMail)
• Video player: Dragon Player (https://apps.kde.org/dragonplayer/)
• Audio player: Juk (https://juk.kde.org/)
• File system manager: Dolphin (https://apps.kde.org/dolphin/)

Minimum user level: beginner / experienced

KDE project home page: https://kde.org/
An introduction to KDE: https://userbase.kde.org/An_introduction_to_KDE
More detailed information in the dedicated section of this manual (chap.7.1.2).

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4.2.4 Mate

MATE desktop on Debian

MATE is a fork of GNOME 2. This means that this desktop environment was started from a copy of
GNOME 2 and then modified independently.
This is the perfect environment for people who do not want to change all the work habits they acquired
when using GNOME 2. This is also a good system for the computer aided music and the resource-
intensive applications going with.
Mate aims to be lighter than GNOME 3, and as such, is more suitable for aging or resource limited com-
puters. It’s clearly a good compromise between GNOME 3 and Xfce 4.
Mate offers a “traditional” interface with its two task bars:

• The top panel includes, on the left, the main applications, the main folders and the system setting
menu.
• The right part of the top panel is reserved to the notification area and the quick settings (Audio
volume, keyboard configuration, small agenda)
• The bottom panel includes the desktop button (to mask all the application windows), the list of the
active windows, and the virtual desktops selector.

To configure Mate you open the control center (“system” menu > Control Center) and you have access to
the various components of this interface:

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 Control Center of the MATE desktop

Mate is a minimal environment which ships with few applications by default. You would be able to pick
your favorite tools later on. However, Mate embeds its own file system manager, Caja, which is a fork of
Nautilus (Gnome file manager), as well as a rather well designed Help Center.

Mate desktop Help Center

Minimum user level: complete novice / beginner

Mate project home page: https://mate-desktop.com
More details on the Mate Debian wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/Mate

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4.2.5 Cinnamon

Cinnamon desktop on Debian

Cinnamon is a desktop environment derived from the Gnome-Shell project. It moved away from the all-
in-one interface of this latter, to adopt a more traditional interface (dash board along with a menu where
Icons are sorted by categories).
Cinnamon offers a complete desktop with all the helpful (or not) applications for your daily usage.
Cinnamon uses the Nemo file system manager, a fork from Nautilus, which reinstates some functionalities
removed by the latter: compact view, open in a terminal, open as root, etc.
The Cinnamon configuration is delegated to the system settings pannel which centralized all the system
and user settings:

Cinnamon: system settings panel

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Cinnamon is developed by the Linux Mint team (https://linuxmint.com/), and is one of the leading desktop
environments of this specific GNU/Linux distribution.
Cinnamon is a Gnome-Shell derivative and supports extensions which let you decorate your environment
with little gadgets.

Cinnamon : extension manager

Main applications:

• Internet communications: Thunderbird (chap.6.4.1) & Pidgin

• Video player: Totem (chap.6.7)
• Audio player: Rhythmbox (chap.6.8)
• File system manager: Nemo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemo_(file_manager))

Minimum user level: complete novice / beginner

Cinnamon project home page: https://github.com/linuxmint/Cinnamon
More detailed information on the LinuxMint intallation guide: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.
readthedocs.io/en/latest/

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4.2.6 Xfce

The default Xfce on Debian

Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for Unix type operating systems. Its goals are to be fast, little
greedy in machine resources, but visually attractive and user friendly. It is expandable, thanks to numer-
ous available plug-ins, and embeds a volume control application (xfce4-mixer), its own window manager
supporting transparency, shades … (xfwm4), an integrated archive manager (thunar-archive-plugin), and
disk, battery network, processor and memory monitoring tools, as well as various themes and miscella-
neous plug-ins.
This interface is clear and traditional: you won’t be surprised during your first encounter with it.
Xfce has the significant advantage of being fully modular, because it is released with different independent
plug-ins. Xfce also allows the integration of applications coming from other environments, and is able to
launch, during the system start-up, the Gnome and/or KDE services by default.
It is a perfect environment for beginners, offering a great stability, a complete graphical handling
(“with the mouse only”), and evolution capabilities with no real limit.
Like the other previously seen environments, Xfce centralizes its configuration settings to ease the cus-
tomization. Note that each elements can also be configured from its specific interface (like a right-click on
the panel to add a new launcher, for example).

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 The Xfce setting center on Debian

Main applications:

• Internet communications: Thunderbird (chap.6.4.1)

• Video player: VLC (chap.6.7)
• Audio player: Quod Libet (https://quodlibet.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)
• File system manager: Thunar (chap.3.6)

Minimum user level: complete novice / beginner

Xfce project home page: https://www.xfce.org/
More detailed information on the Xfce Debian wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce.
Xfce has been chosen by Emmabuntüs (https://emmabuntus.org) as default desktop environment. More
details in the chapter 12.3.2.

Emmabuntüs Debian Edition

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4.2.7 LXDE/Openbox

The LXDE desktop and PCManFM on Debian

LXDE is a free desktop environment for Unix like systems, and other systems. The LXDE name is the
acronym for “Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment”.
And as its name implies, the goal of this project is to propose a fast and lightweight desktop environment.
As opposed to other desktop environments, the various components are not tightly linked together. In-
stead they are rather independents and each of them can be used without the others, with very few de-
pendencies (packages used during the installation).
LXDE is notably light, making it an ideal solution for small hardware configurations and computers refur-
bishing, but it requires a little more time to learn and use its different elements.
The LXDE design model implies that the configuration of each element needs to go through an interface
designed for this specific application. You will not find a “Control Center” akin to the Gnome one, but
rather a suite of lightweight tools to customize your environment.

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 LXDE Appearance and Session configuration panels on Debian

LXDE uses by default Openbox (https://wiki.debian.org/Openbox) as window manager:

Openbox configuration tool on LXDE

Note that each element being configured, displays its setting modifications on the fly, which makes the
customization very easy.
Main applications:

• Video player: SMplayer (https://www.smplayer.info)

• Audio player: LXMusic
• File system manager: PCManFM

Minimum user level: beginner / experienced

LXDE project home page: https://www.lxde.org

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4.2.8 LXQt

LXQt is a light desktop environment. It offers a classical but modern and lightweight interface that will
let you work without thinking about it. It comes with a series of specific tools to take advantage of your
favorite data and applications. It is an ideal environment for old and low performance machines.

LXQt desktop on Debian

LXQt is the Qt variant (the graphic rendering engine of KDE) of LXDE (which works with Gtk, another
graphics rendering engine). You will therefore find certain similarities between these two environments.
Its lightness does not prevent it from having a centralized configuration tool allowing you to access the
settings of the main system functions: Menu > Preferences > LXQt Settings> LXQt configuration center.

LXQt configuration

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LXQt is used as alternative environment in the Emmabuntüs Debian derivative (https://emmabuntus.org).
Main applications:

• Video player: SMplayer (https://www.smplayer.info/)

• Audio player: Audacious (https://audacious-media-player.org/)
• File system manager : PCManFM-Qt

Minimum user level: beginner / experienced

LXQt homepage: https://lxqt-project.org/

4.2.9 Components of major Debian desktops

Here is a summary table of the elements offered during the traditional Debian desktop installation.

Components Gnome Shell Gnome Flashback KDE Plasma XFCE

File Manager Nautilus Nautilus Dolphin, Konqueror Thunar

Packages Synaptic, Software Synaptic, Software Discover Synaptic
Web browser Firefox Firefox Konqueror, Firefox Firefox
Mail Evolution Evolution KMail -
Video Totem Totem DragonPlayer Parole
Audio Rhythmbox, Musique - Juk QuodLibet
Office LibreOffice LibreOffice LibreOffice LibreOffice
PDF Evince Evince Okular Atril
Pictures EyeOfGnome EyeOfGnome GwenView Ristretto
Photos Shotwell - - -
Drawing - - Gimp -
Peer to peer Transmission - - -

Components Mate Cinnamon LXDE LXQt

File Manager Caja Nemo PCManFM PCManFM-Qt

Packages Synaptic Synaptic, Software Synaptic Synaptic
Web browser Firefox Firefox Firefox Firefox
Mail - Thunderbird - Thunderbird
Video - Totem Mpv, SMPlayer Mpv, SMPlayer
Audio - Rhythmbox LXMusic Audacious
Office LibreOffice LibreOffice LibreOffice LibreOffice
PDF Atril Evince Evince Qpdfview
Pictures EyeOfMate EyeOfGnome GPicView LXImage
Photos - Shotwell - -
Drawing Gimp Gimp, Inkscape - -
Peer to peer - Transmission Deluge -

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 Installing Debian

About time to take the plunge …

GNU & Tux on the road by Péhä CC-BY-SA

The following sections describe the classical Single-boot installation: Debian will be the only distribu-
tion residing on your hard disk and the install process will be automatic (assisted partitioning, with the
whole Debian system in a single partition).
This manual is intended for beginners, and does not cover all the install capabilities of the Debian
system. If you are in a particular situation not covered here, look at the on-line Debian installation manual
(https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual).
For installations in a different context (separated /home partition, DualBoot, Logical Volume Management,
Encryption, Multi-boot, etc.) you will find the links to the specific documentations in chapter 5.5.

5.1 Before installing

Most of the users never had to install a system previously (computers are usualy delivered with an oper-
ating system already installed). And that could be a little freaking … Make the time to be well prepared,
take a breath of fresh air, and everything is going to be all right .

5.1.1 Hardware compatibility

One of the first questions when you want to install Debian concerns the hardware compatibility: is Debian
going to run smoothly on my computer??
A fast and simple way to check this out, is to type “Debian” followed by your machine type, within your
favorite search engine: look for “Debian IBM T60”, for example. In case of doubts, don’t hesitate to ask
on a support-and-help forum (chap.1.2).
In order to be really sure, you can use a distribution offering a test capability through a “live” session
(chap.5.3.1).

57
5.1.2 Backing up your data

If you anticipate to overwrite your hard disk with Debian, verify first that none of your personal data is in
there: everything will be lost.
Remember to back-up your data before you start messing with your existing partitions (chap.9).

5.1.3 Disk space requirement

A Debian distribution occupies 10 GB in average, but you should still plan for a minimum of 15 GB, to be
able to download the updates. For greater safety and if you plan to add few applications, reserve 20 GB
and you will be comfortable.

5.1.4 Installation time duration

To install Debian from a “net-install” ISO requires some time because the software is downloaded from
the Debian servers during the process: the time duration needed for the installation then depends on the
speed and quality of your Internet connection and may vary from 40 up to 90 minutes.
To install a derivative from a Debian Live support, takes far less time (around 20 minutes, depending
on your computer power), because the packages are already included within the downloaded ISO image.
However, a system update will then be necessary after the installation, because the embedded packages
are dating back to the time when the ISO image was burned.

5.1.5 Preparing the hard disk

If you anticipate to install Debian as the unique operating system on your machine, you don’t have to do
anything special: the embedded installer includes the tools needed to prepare (I.E. to format) the disk(s).
If you anticipate to install Debian next to another operating system, take good care in preparing your hard
disk (like running a defragmentation of the Windows partition for example). More details in the section
dedicated to specific installations (chap.5.5).

5.2 Downloading Debian

Debian ISO images offered for each desktop flavors, in several architecture variations, and supported
by various media like netinst, CD, DVD, … are directly available from its website https://www.debian.org/
distrib/.

5.2.1 Which image to download?

Here after the different ways to obtain a Debian ISO image. If you have other questions, read the Debian
FAQ: https://www.debian.org/CD/faq/index.en.html.

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5.2.1.1 Debian Netinst

If your Internet connection is stable, we encourage you to download an ISO image of type “Netinst” which
includes everything you need to install Debian on any modern 32 or 64 bits (i386 or amd64) computer,
with all the desired options: you will be able to choose your main interface during the installation process.

• The advantage of this ISO image is that it will search for applications on the Debian servers during
the installation, allowing you to get a completely up-to-date system.
• The disadvantage is that you will need absolutely a network connection during the installation, either
wired (by cable, recognized natively in most cases) or wireless (Wi-Fi), when it’s recognized.

This is the ISO image used in the installation section of this manual.
To get hold of the “Netinst” ISO image, you can visit this page: https://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/index.
en.html. You will find there the torrent links (to share and relieve the load on the main servers) and the
direct “HTTP” to the ISO images, depending on your architecture. Below the torrent link to a 64-bit ISO
image:

Download link for Debian netinstall

Note that since Debian 12 Bookworm, installation media include specific non-free drivers and firmware
for specific hardware (for a Wi-Fi installation for example).

5.2.1.2 Debian on CD/DVD

To obtain a classic bootable ISO image, pre-configured with a specific desktop, you can look at this page:
https://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/index.en.html.
This ISO file does not let you test your system, through a “live” session (chap.5.3.1) to check the hardware
compatibility with your PC. It only allows you to install Debian on your computer, which is already cool,
and let you install directly your preferred desktop, without needing a stable Internet connection at your
disposal.

5.2.1.3 Debian live

Other images, called “autonomous”, are also available: they let you check your particular environment
through a “live” session. They include also an installation launcher on the desktop, which, once your tests

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are completed, let you install Debian directly from the session you are in. To get hold of a live image, you
can visit this page: https://www.debian.org/CD/live/index.en.html.
More details on the dedicated “live” section (chap.5.3.1).

5.2.1.4 Debian torrent

To relieve the main Debian servers and, at the same time, share your ISO image with other community
members, you can use the BitTorent protocol.
To obtain the list of the available “torrents”, you can visit this page: https://www.debian.org/CD/torrent-cd/
index.en.html.

5.2.2 Verifying the ISO image integrity

In order to verify the integrity of the transferred image, Debian computes the “SHA sum” (short form
of “SHA256 check sum”). This check can be used on all kind of data, but is particularly useful when
downloading ISO images.
Note that the SHA256 sums indicated in this manual are only for example purose: remember to check the
real SHAsum of your file on the download site.

5.2.2.1 Checking SHA256 on GNU/Linux

The sha256sum checking tool is integrated in almost all the GNU/Linux distributions. To verify the
SHA256 checksum of a file, just type the following command in a terminal emulator, including the path of
the file to be checked:

user@debian-pc: cd ~/Downloads
user@debian-pc:~/Downloads sha256sum debian-12.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

which will return a result of the type (to be checked against the SHAsum given by the download site.):

ae6d563d2444665316901fe7091059ac34b8f67ba30f9159f7cef7d2fdc5bf8a \
debian-12.0.0-amd64-netinst.iso

Verification in graphic mode (“with the mouse”).

The Gtkhash program let you also check the SHA256 signature, but with a graphical interface.

• Install ‘gtkhash’ (using a Terminal command or the Synaptic package manager).

• Launch GtkHash from the application menu.
• In the File field: look for the ISO file to be checked.
• In the Check field: paste the checksum retrieved from the Internet site. For the debian-netinst
amd64 ISO image, check on this page: https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/
iso-cd/SHA256SUMS.

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 GtkHash: verifying the SA256 checksum

• Click on the Hash button.

• The digital fingerprints (I.E. checksums) will show-up for each hash functions (MD5, SHA1,
SHA256…)
• If the integrity checksum is exactly matching, a (green) validation symbol will be displayed at the
right of the field, and in the corresponding one in the computed hash field.

5.2.2.2 Verifying SHA256 on Windows®

In order to graphically check the SHA256sum on a Windows® system, you can use the HashMyFiles tool
that you can download here: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/hash_my_files.html. You’ll have to scroll down
to find the download links.

• Download the archive file corresponding to the characteristic of your system : “hashmyfiles.zip” for
a 32-bit system or “hashmyfiles-x64.zip” for a 64-bit system.
• Extract on your hard disk the 3 files included in the zip archive.
• Launch the HashMyFiles.exe file
• From the menu File > Add Files, select the file to be checked, click on Open and wait for the calcu-
lation to complete (Loading xx%)

HashMyFiles : Add file

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 HashMyFiles : Debian ISO selection

• The MD5, SHA1, etc… checksums are computed:

HashMyFiles : computing checksums

HashMyFiles : computing checksums

• Double-click on the line concerning the ISO file to be checked, and the various checksum are dis-
played. All that’s left is comparing them with those specified on the downloading site of the Linux
distribution.

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 HashMyFiles : display computed checksums

5.2.3 ISO transfer on a CD/DVD

To burn your Debian ISO file on a CD/DVD using a computer under GNU/Linux, simply open your favorite
burning application, indicate the path of the ‘debian-xx-iso’ downloaded file, and start the media burning.
For the Microsoft® users, read this tutorial made for the Windows® systems: https://www.digitalcitizen.
life/burn-iso-file-windows/

5.2.4 ISO transfer on a USB key

The USB key is the most convenient way to install GNU/Linux distributions, because you can change them
as often as you want and even test several of them in parallel. The key also secures your tests because
once the session is over, no trace is left on the key nor on the computer which booted from it.

5.2.4.1 From a GNU/Linux system with the terminal

Transfer will be done with the terminal, this is the recommended method. However, there is this a graphical
tool, Etcher from Balena https://etcher.balena.io/
Plug your USB key in and launch a terminal in “root” administrator mode (chap.3.8.3). We are going to
identify the USB key to be used, with the command:

blkid

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which returns information of this type:

/dev/sda1: LABEL="system" UUID="3d378712-1b6e-4f66-b9e8-2a6673c62199" TYPE="ext4"

/dev/sda5: UUID="65bdec62-8d0e-49ca-b70b-c99340e4ee5e" TYPE="swap"
/dev/sdb1: UUID="F9B8-E691" TYPE="vfat"

Here, our key is identified as UUID=“F9B8-E691”, is formated in “vfat” and includes the sdb1 partition.
Note carefully this sdb1 value, to avoid erasing by mistake a partition on your internal hard disk (here
sda1 is another partition on this disk).
The Debian ISO file should be located in the Downloads folder. Let’s move in there to act on this ISO file
(the “$Home” variable replaces the address “/home/your_loginID”):

cd $HOME/Downloads

Now, we are going to transfer the ISO content to the USB key, thanks to the “dd” command. Take good
care of naming the USB key device “sdb” and not “sdb1” (in our example), because it is the disk
device name which is requested, not the partition, and don’t forget to change the xx in the ‘debian-xx.iso’
file by the corresponding real version number.
Within a terminal in “root” administrator mode (chap.3.8.3):

dd if=debian-xx.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress; sync

The transfer duration on the USB key is obviously depending on the size of the ISO and on the transfer
rate of your USB port. This operation usually lasts from 10 to 15 minutes without any sign of activity within
the terminal window. Once the transfer is completed, the control will be given back to you, that is a new
command line prompt will be displayed in the terminal.
Note that you can use the minimal cp command to transfer ISO file, but you won’t see the copy progress.
Whithin a terminal in administrator mode:

cp debian-xx.iso /dev/sdb; sync

5.2.4.2 From a Windows® system with Win32DiskImager

Win32DiskImager is a bootable media creation utility for Windows®: it will allow you to create a USB key
from which you will then boot your computer in order to install Debian.
To install it on your Windows® system, go to the main project page and download the latest version:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
Win32DiskImager installs like other Windows®-compatible software. Once in place, first plug your USB
stick in and note the ID of the new disk displayed (disk “F:” for example). Then run Win32DiskImager.

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 Win32DiskImager

• In 1, you will choose the downloaded Debian ISO image: Click on the folder icon to open the file
picker. Win32DiskImager only looks for files of type “.img” by default: remember to set the search
filter to “.iso” instead of “.img” in order to view your debian-xxx.iso file.
• In 2, you will indicate the device to be used: it is the disk mounted when inserting your USB key.
Caution! All data on this key will be deleted during the transfer procedure.
• In 3, you start the ISO image transfer to the key. You can follow the progress of the process directly
in the Win32DiskImager window.

Wait a moment and you will be in possession of a bootable Debian USB key! You still have to restart your
computer from this bootable key and begin the Debian installation.

5.2.5 Booting from the CD/DVD or the USB device

To proceed now with the Debian installation, using your CD/DVD or USB medium, you need to ask the
computer to boot from this device. If your computer does not boot automatically from the desired installa-
tion medium, you need to access the “Boot menu” or modify the “Boot order” in the BIOS.
Some computers have a function key that let you boot directly from a peripheral device, without having
to modify the BIOS parameters. Usually, pressing the F12 key at start-up gives you access directly to
the boot options. On the other end, to access the BIOS configuration you need to tap one key like DEL,
ESC or F2 during the start-up phase. More information at: https://www.boot-disk.com/manual/index.html#
bios-boot.html

5.2.5.1 The Boot Menu

As mentioned above, the key to access the Boot Menu at start-up may vary from one computer to an-
other. This specific key and the key to access the BIOS configuration are usually indicated during the
boot sequence for one or two second:

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 Open the boot menu on Toshiba

Open the boot menu on Dell

The boot menu let you select the boot peripheral without going into the BIOS configuration

Select a disk to boot from

Use the keyboard direction arrows to select the right peripheral (in this example the USB key is the “Re-
movable Devices”).
When you reach the BIOS settings, you should check if, within the Hard Disk Drive entry, there is a tree
you can expand and where the USB key is showing up. In that case you can move your USB key up to
the first position, by using the F5/F6 keys on your keyboard.

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5.2.5.2 BIOS configuration

If the Boot-order menu is not available, you must modify the Boot priority inside the BIOS.
Once entered in the BIOS settings, the operations to execute are very simple, but you should be extremely
careful to not modify other parameters. Hopefully, in case of mistake, the program let you quit without
recording the changes, by pressing the ESC (or Escape) key. Other keys like F9 or F10 will let you reload
the default parameters, or to record the changes before quitting:

• F9: reload default parameters (or factory settings)

• F10: record the modifications and quit
• ESC: cancel the modifications and quit.

The navigation is done by using the directional arrows on the keyboard. One validate or enter inside an
option using the ENTER key. In most of the BIOS models, you move until the Boot menu is highlighted,
then find the peripheral selection for the boot (boot device, boot sequence, boot priority) and finally put
the various devices in the first, second, third etc … positions, reflecting the boot order you wish to apply.

BIOS: setting the Boot order (sources linuxtrack.net)

Hereafter some peripheral names, like they might appear in your BIOS settings:

• A Cd-Rom reader will usually appear as CD/DVD or CD-ROM

• A Hard disk will usually appear as HDD or HARD DRIVE or HARD DISK or even IDE~ …
• A USB peripheral will usually appear as USB HDD, USB DRIVE or USB DEVICE or Removable
Device.

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5.2.5.3 BIOS/UEFI/Secure Boot configuration

The correct handling of the UEFI SecureBoot is available since Debian 10 Buster, for the AMD64, i386 and
ARM64 architectures. This implies that one can now test and install Debian without the need to disable
the SecureBoot option: https://www.debian.org/releases/buster/amd64/release-notes/ch-whats-new.en.
html#secure-boot
Changing the boot order
You still have to change the boot order so that the computer starts first from the USB (or the DVD). Click
on the “Boot” tab and modify the order, if necessary, so that your medium becomes the first of the list as
explained on the previous chapter (BIOS).

Save setting (sources linuxtrack.net)

Now, you save your changes and you start the Debian installation.

5.3 Testing Debian safely

The best way to make your choice: try the system directly on your computer!
There are two possibilities: you can test a GNU/Linux distribution from a stand-alone “Live” session or
directly from your windows® system thanks to a virtualization software: VirtualBox or VMWare.

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5.3.1 Testing Debian in Live session

Launching Debian Live session

Debian provides standalone “Live” images for safe testing a given environment. Their peculiarity is to
change nothing on the computer, everything happens in RAM and is forgotten once the computer is turned
off. These images have a setup launcher on the desktop that allows you, once tested, to install Debian
directly from your session.
To get a live image, visit this page : https://www.debian.org/CD/live/index.html.

The principle of the Live CD is the capability to use/test a distribution on a computer without any risks
for your personal data. The Live also let you check the distribution compatibility with your hardware.
The Debian software is “compressed” within a special file (the ‘squashfs.filesystem’ file) and embedded
in the downloaded ISO image. This same special file is “uncompressed” during the Live utilization, and
will later be copied on your hard disk during the installation process.

5.3.1.1 Debian install using Calamares within a Live session

Whichever version you choose (Gnome, KDE, Xfce…), you will find on the desktop, and/or within the
“System” menu, an entry to directly install Debian. After having checked your machine compatibility, you
will be able to directly install the selected environment from the “Live” session.

Debian install lanuncher

Warning: This installation method is not the one encouraged by default. The Live install involves a risk:
if for one reason or another, the graphical interface freezes, the whole installation process will be compro-
mised.

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if you choose this option, this is the Calamares graphical installer which will be launched in order to set
your system up. Here, within a Live session, you start with your language selection:

Calamares installer: language selection

You just need to follow the on screen instructions …

Calamares installer: country selection

The Location tab allows you to set the clock via your time-zone.

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 Calamares installer: keyboard selection

The Keyboard tab exhibits an impressive list of options (you may think it’s too much)… In case of doubts,
pick the default keyboard, you will always be able to change it, once the installation is done.

Calamares installer : partition scheme

The Partitions tab is the most important one, because it let you modify your computer disk(s) layout : to be
used with extreme care. For a single boot install (Debian will be the only system hosted by the machine),
you can select “Erase disk”. For a dual boot (next to another system), select “Install along side”. In case
of doubt send a question to the forum (chap 1.2).

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 Calamares installer : user creation

The Users tab allows you to define your identity on this machine, that is your full name, your login identity
and your password. You can also enable the automatic login (no password request) for this account.

Calamares installer : overview before install

The aptly named Summary tab, is an overview of what will happen during the installation. Please take
some time to review it carefully, because once you click on the “Install” button the partitions formatting
process will start, without any going back possibility. At that point, if you notice an error you can still return
to the settings with the “Back” button.

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 Calamares installer : Debian system installation

It’s now time to drink a cup of tea, open the window (a real glass window), while the Calamares installer
is doing its job.

Calamares installer : installation complete

Your computer reboots with your new Debian system… Enjoy it

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 Launching the Debian GNU/Linux system

5.3.2 Testing Debian from Windows® or Mac® with VirtualBox

Virtualbox (https://www.virtualbox.org/) is a virtualization software available for major operating sys-

tems. This software will allow you to test your Debian or any other GNU/Linux OS directly on your Win-
dows® desktop. Virtualbox is not the only virtualization software: more information about virtualization on
Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtualization#Nested_virtualization).
Internet is full of tutorials about installing VirtualBox. I leave it up to you to consult these few links which
will let you quickly master this software:

• WikiHow documentation: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-VirtualBox (cc-by-nc-sa)

• The official VirtualBox documentation: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads#manual

… We enter the virtual world here??

A kind of. The virtualization software makes it possible to test or install a system inside a system, and
to ensure the independence of the two installations. VirtualBox will “make believe” the system you want to
test (referred to as “guest system”) that it is all alone on its computer, while ensuring exchanges (shared
folder, network connection sharing, etc.) with the host system.
Your guest system will be installed on a “virtual disk”, which will simply be like a big archive in a folder of
your documents.
Note that this test method does not verify hardware compatibility and is only for you to discover a distri-
bution before installing it on your hard drive.

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5.4 Installation simple boot

Here comes the long-awaited moment, the actual installation of the Debian GNU/Linux system on your
machine … Are you ready to begin this exciting journey?
Hereafter a visual step by step explanation on how to easily install Debian, using the graphical installer.
This method erases the whole disk and installs Debian as the unique operating system on your ma-
chine. The ISO image is of the type “netinst”.
The Debian installer displays an explanation at every step of the process: with GNU/Linux , there is
no advertising, so please take few seconds of your time to read the little messages which talk about your
future system

5.4.1 Starting the installation

When the installer begins, we select the installation mode:

Installation mode (UEFI)

Depending on your motherboard model, or if it boots in BIOS mode, the display can slightly change. In all
cases, select “Graphical Install”.

Installtion mode (BIOS)

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 • The Install mode proposes a text in gray color on a blue background, and cursor moves are possible
only by using the keyboard arrows, or the TAB key, and then the Space bar to tick options on/off.
• The Graphical Install mode offers a prettier interface, enabling the mouse usage.
• Two other modes are specially configured to increase the installer accessibility.

Each installer pane displays a clear explanation message. When you don’t know the answer, take the
default setting. However, pay great attention during the partitioning phase, since this operation
could erase the existing data on your hard disk(s).

5.4.2 Select your language

Installation: language

Selection of the system language by default: this choice will also modify the installer language itself, which
then will display its own messages in English (if you chose “English”).

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5.4.3 Select your geographical location

Installation: country

This information allows the system to automatically set the date and time of your system, using a remote
time server.

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5.4.4 Configure your keyboard

Installation: keyboard

Here you can define the general layout of your keyboard. Please note that you would be able to fine tune
its definition, once the system is installed.

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5.4.5 System name setting

Installation: hostname

The host name is the “nickname” of your computer. For a domestic usage, you can pick whatever name
you want to call it. If this machine is part of a network, remember to ask your network administrator for
advice.

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5.4.6 Domain name setting (if necessary)

Installation: domain

Leave this field empty if you don’t know the answer.

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5.4.7 Root account creation

Installation: admin password

Enter the administrator password (twice to confirm). Like indicated in the information message, creating a
“root” administrator account is not mandatory. If you leave these fields empty, the first user will receive all
the rights to perform administrative tasks by using the “sudo” command and entering its own password.
The password is not shown in clear by default, but you can tick the check-boxes to verify that the pass-
words are matching. Do not enter “adminpassword”… please ! More information concerning passswords
in chapter 10.1.3.

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5.4.8 First user account creation

Installation: user full name

Start by entering the full name of the main user.

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5.4.9 First user Login

Installation: user login

Then enter its identifier, that is the pseudo which will be used during the connection (login) to a session.
You will be able to create more user accounts once the system is installed, and give them, or not, the
system admin rights.

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5.4.10 First user password setting

Installation: user password

Like for the administrator account, you need to enter the password twice for confirmation.

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5.4.11 Selecting the guided or manual partitioning scheme

Installation: partition mode

To perform a “single-boot” installation (the computer hosts only one system), you select “use entire disk”.

… “Partitioning” … What’s that?

The partitioning process consists in organizing different partitions on your system. Partitions are non-
overlapping area defined on your hard disk(s), each one of them having its specific properties (file system
type, unique identifier, size, etc.). In order to function correctly, Debian GNU/Linux needs at least one
partition to install the operating system. An additional exchange partition (called SWAP) is highly rec-
ommended, to deal not only with insufficient memory space, but also with the suspend or hibernation
functionality.
The guided partitioning scheme proposes 2 partitions (system + swap), but you can opt for a scheme
proposing a separated “/home” partition, and use another hard disk to store your personal data (as an
example).

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5.4.12 Selecting the disk hosting the partition

Installation: disk to partition

In our example, there is only one disk. If your configuration is different, make sure you select the “boot
disk”, in general called sda.

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5.4.13 Partitioning scheme selection

Installation: partition scheme

Your data will be kept on partitions. With a classic domestic system, you can “store” your data on the
same disk as your system. So you can select “All files in one partition”.

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5.4.14 Modify or finish the partitioning

Installation: check partition

The partitions scheme is displayed for you to check : you can modify its layout if you think it is necessary,
but the default scheme is generally the right one.

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5.4.15 Partitioning overview and formating process launch

Installation: formating and install

Warning: this is the step during which the installer will format the partitions: the data
on the selected disk will be erased!

Installation

The base system is installed. You will choose your main interface later.

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5.4.16 Analysis of the CD/DVD complementary contents (if necessary)

Installation: optional additional CD

Optional: Had you opted for a Debian CD set including all the packages needed for the installation, you
would now insert the second CD (and tick the “Yes” option).
If you use an “netinst” ISO, as in our example, you can skip this step.

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5.4.17 Selecting the network mirror country

Installation: mirror country

… where should I put this mirror?

“A repository mirror” is a computer server, available on-line, hosting the full set of the Debian packages.
If you don’t have all the CDs on hand, Debian will grab the software or the packages you need on the
network mirror servers.
There are repository servers all around the world, each one being the exact copy (mirror) of the others.
In this example we select “Yes” and in the following section we will pick an Internet mirror located in the
United Kingdom.
The beginner’s handbook being English-speaking, the default choice “United Kingdom” seems obvious.
However, you should be careful and select a nearby mirror, if you live in another English speaking country.

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5.4.18 Selecting the server hosting the archive mirror

Installation: mirror server

The server proposed by default is usually a good choice.

The entry “deb.debian.org” will redirect you to the closest available repository.

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5.4.19 Configuring a proxy server (if necessary)

Installation : proxy configuration

Leave this field empty, if you don’t know.

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5.4.20 Participating - or not - to the Debian popularity-contest

Installation: stats Debian

The popularity contest project is an attempt to map the usage of Debian packages. This site (https:
//popcon.debian.org/) publishes the statistics gathered from report sent by users of the popularity-contest
package. This package sends every week the list of packages installed and the access time of relevant
files to the server via email. Every day the server anonymizes the result and publishes this survey.
Note that participation in Debian statistics does not imply the capture of your personal data or the sending
of advertising emails … you can participate without any fear.

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5.4.21 Selecting software

Installation: software and main desktop

Now, it is time to select your main desktop interface, as well as the main services to be installed by default.
Note that you can select several desktops in view of directly installing several environments. Hereafter a
summary description of the proposed choices:

• Debian desktop environment let you install, or not, a desktop. The desktop environment instal-
lation can be done later on, or never, and it is not indispensable, for example on a server. But if you
are a beginner, a graphical interface will be easier to master.
In this example, the Gnome environment is used. Please note that you can install several of them:
they will be available from the session manager.
• web server includes a preselection of packages dedicated to Web servers.
• SSH server allows you to activate the ssh protocol, and computer remote control. Warning! En-
abling the SSH service might create a security breach if it is not correctly configured. For experi-
enced users only.
• standard system utilities includes a collection of applications to manage your operating system.

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5.4.22 Packages installation

Installation: downloading packages

Time to take a little pause. Downloading and installing the packages may take quite some time, depending
on the power of your computer and the Internet connection bandwidth.

Installation: installing packages

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5.4.23 Installing Grub, the boot loader

Installation: GRUB

GRUB is the “launcher” of your GNU/Linux system. It must be installed to perform the start-up of your
Debian. So, the default answer “Yes” must be kept, except if you know exactly what you are doing.

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5.4.24 Selecting the Grub location

Installation: disk for GRUB

When the system installation is of type “simplified single-boot”, you should install Grub on your machine
main disk, usually identified under the nice “/dev/sda” name.

Installation: installing GRUB

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5.4.25 Installation complete

Installation: end and reboot

Don’t forget to remove the CD or USB key to avoid re-launching the installer during the next boot.
Then complete the installation process by pressing the Continue button.

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5.4.26 Debian first start-up

Installation: reboot on GRUB

The entry by default will launch the system, when the advanced options include the “recovery mode”
start-up, which allows you to perform some maintenance tasks, for example when the graphical session
is broken.
Next comes the session opening of the Debian system, here under the Gnome environment, managed by
GDM.

Debian: login screen

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5.5 On-line installation details

Debian offers more possibilities than just the two methods explained in the previous chapters.
But this manual being intended for the beginners, we kept it simple and the more complex installation
modes are detailed in the official Debian documentation: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/
installmanual
Just to give you a flavor of the other installation modes:

5.5.1 Dual-boot installation

The Dual-boot mechanism let you install side-by-side two independent operating systems, and doing so,
allows you to select, at boot time, which one you want to launch.

This is not the recommended method: there are inherent risks for your data during the partition re-
sizing. If you choose this solution to get started on Debian, please remember that you can very well test it
first by using a Live session (chap.5.3.1) with no risks for your data.
More information of the Debian Dual-Boot Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/DualBoot

5.5.2 LVM … what’s that?

LVM is an acronym for Logical Volume Manager.

Its usage consists in:

• Create a specific partition of type “LVM” (which corresponds to a mounted disk)

• Within this partition we can create “Logical Volumes” (corresponding to partitions) that we can
modify at will, themselves sized and formatted to our own convenience.

So, the “Logical Volumes” utilization, replaces straight out the usual disk “partitioning”, and provide a
more flexible way to manage disk space by allowing modifications on them at any point of time.
It is possible, as well, to keep one part of the LVM partition without installed “Logical Volume”, pending
further decisions.
More details on the dedicated Debian LVM Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/LVM

5.5.3 Encryption … what’s for?

The confidentiality of personal data is is a pretty hot topic these days. In order to better protect your data,
you can opt for an encrypted installation. With this kind of installation, even in case of theft of your
computer, or removal of its hard disk, no data access is possible without the encrypting password !
The Debain Administrator’s Handbook provides us with more details (https://debian-handbook.info/
browse/en-US/stable/sect.installation-steps.html#sect.install-partman):

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 This feature can be added underneath any filesystem, since, as for LVM, Linux (and more particularly
the “dm-crypt” driver) uses the Device Mapper to create a virtual partition (whose content is protected)
based on an underlying partition that will store the data in an encrypted form (thanks to LUKS, Linux
Unified Key Setup, a standard format that enables the storage of encrypted data as well as meta-
information that indicates the encryption algorithms used).

To put it simply, LUKS creates a container to host an encrypted volume protected by a password.
For more information and a complete guide, visit the digital self-defense guide: https://ssd.eff.org/en

5.5.4 RAID … does it hurt?

Wikipedia is my friend …

RAID is the acronym of redundant array of independent disks.

RAID is a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical disk drive components
into a single logical unit for the purpose of data redundancy, or performance improvement, or both.

Please note that the Debian installation in RAID mode, uses the RAID software (thanks to the mdadm
tool) and not the RAID hardware (handled by a physical RAID controller).
For more details and installation tutorial see the official Debian wiki https://wiki.debian.org/SoftwareRAID
or the dedicated section of the Debian Administrator’s HandBook https://debian-handbook.info/browse/
stable/advanced-administration.html#sect.raid-soft

GNU in levitation by the Nevrax Design Team - GPLv3

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 Fast boot after installation

Back to the future by Peha - cc-by-sa

First things to do after installation: Wi-Fi network connection, screen resolution, printer configuration …
everything you’ll need to do before your workstation is ready for operation.

6.1 Network connection setting

Using either an Ethernet wired connection or a Wi-Fi wireless connection, your Debian system is expected
to access the network. The Ethernet connection is recognized natively. As far as the Wi-Fi is concerned,
it is sometimes necessary to use a non-free driver.
Fortunately, since version 12 “Bookworm”, Debian includes by default a wide range of non-free firmware,
enabling native use of most wireless network cards.

• If your Wi-Fi connection is recognized natively, jump directly to the Network manager sec-
tions (for the Gnome, Mate, Cinnamon or Xfce desktop), ConnMan (for the LXDE desktop) or the
connection editors under KDE or LXQt.
• If you network device is not functioning, you need to go to the “material recognition” section
(chap.6.1.5).

103
6.1.1 Network-manager-gnome

This is the network manager delivered with Gnome, Mate, Cinnamon, and Xfce. It is accessible from its
icon within the notification area (here on Gnome and Xfce):

Network management on Gnome

Network management on Xfce

All the active or inactive connections are listed here, and the Wi-Fi networks are detected as well. Left-
click on the network you want to connect to, and a dialog box will pop up. Select your network then
“Connect”. A password is then required (the one given by your Internet Service Provider). Here on the
Gnome desktop:

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 Network selection

Network private key

Then enjoy your Wi-Fi connection.

To tweak the Wi-Fi settings, select the dedicated entry in the main menu:

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 Wi-Fi network connected

You will be able to modify the connection settings, and even “Forget” it:

Network selection

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 Network settings

6.1.2 ConnMan

ConnMan (https://wiki.debian.org/WiFi/HowToUse#ConnMan) is an independent network manager de-

livered with LXDE. However, it can be used on any other desktop.
Its interface is slightly different compared to the Gnome manager one, but the functionality is the same.
ConnMan is available from LXDE menu > Preferences > ConnMan Settings. Once launched, ConnMan
puts an icon in the notification area: a left-click on its icon opens the main network settings window:

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 ConnMan: main interface

Select the network you want to connect to then click on the “Connect” button. The network passphrase
will be asked.

ConnMan: connect to wireless network

6.1.3 KDE connection manager

On KDE, the network connections are managed like on the other desktops: through a graphical interface.
A left-click on the network icon in the notification area gives you access to the list of available networks.
A click on “Connect” and KDE ask you to enter the network Wi-Fi key:

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 KDE: network selection

KDE: network private key

When this is done, you can connect your computer using this Wi-Fi network and/or modify its settings.

KDE: network connection manager

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6.1.4 LXQt connection manager

LXQt uses a different tool: “ConnMan System Tray” available from the general menu > Internet > Con-
nman UI Setup

Connman: launch application from the LXQt menu

The main ConnMan interface opens. Available networks (connected or not) are displayed in the “Ser-
vices” section. To connect to a network, use the “Wireless” tab:

Connman: main interface

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 Connman: Wi-Fi network tab

Select your network then click on “Connect”. Then enter the password of the selected network:

Connman: Wi-Fi password

Connman: Wi-Fi connected

An icon did take place in your notification area: when hovering the mouse over it, it displays network
information, and when clicked, it opens the main ConnMan interface.

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 Connman: main interface from notification area

6.1.5 Check if the driver is present

Drivers are often provided by the manufacturer, and sometime also some Firmware (micro-program)
which needs to be loaded by the kernel inside the WI-FI device itself, using this very same driver. So it is
very important to check that the driver is correctly installed in the system.
To do so, we are going to use the command ip link:

ip link

which should return a result like:

1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN mode...

link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
2: enp0s25: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc pfifo_fast...
link/ether 00:24:e8:a1:13:65 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
3: wlp0s29f7u3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state...
link/ether e8:94:f6:16:7f:f3 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

If an interface named something like “wlp…” does not appear in the list, this means that the Wi-Fi driver is
missing.

6.1.5.1 Identifying a network device, and installing its driver

If your network connection is not functioning, it is usually a driver issue. In order to select the right one,
we need first to identify the network device.
Within a terminal in user mode, launch the lspci command which lists all the available interfaces. If you
use this command alone, your terminal window will be filled up with all kinds of information. In order to
help you sorting out all these data, we are going to complement the lspci command with a grep and a cut,
like this:

lspci | grep -i "net" | cut -d: -f3

which will return a result like:

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 Intel Corporation 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection (rev 03)
Broadcom Corporation BCM4322 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller ...

Here, the detected Wi-Fi device is the Broadcom BCM4322

If I run a simple Internet search, like “Debian Broadcom BCM4322”, I will find quickly the right page
(https://wiki.debian.org/bcm43xx) which tells me to install the firmware-b43-installer.
More information in the Debian Wi-Fi Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/WiFi.

6.2 Configuring your printer

C.U.P.S (https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Unix_Printing_System), is an acronym for Common Unix

Printing System, and as its name suggests, is a printer management system created by Apple Inc. for
OSX and other Unix-like systems. It is used by default on Debian to manage printers. To achieve this,
CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol (ipp) to drive both the local and the network printers.
What is enough for you to remember is that CUPS is the tool managing the printers.
If you chose an exotic installation, you might need to install yourself some Debian packages. Within a
terminal in administrator mode (thanks to “su” chap.3.8.3):

apt update && apt install --install-recommends task-print-server

Compatibility
Likewise Wi-Fi devices, printers need external drivers. However their detection by default is much better,
which enables Debian to embed a simplified printer setting interface (detailed in the first section of this
chapter). Methods may vary from one manufacturer to another.

• for Brother: visit the dedicated page: https://support.brother.com/g/b/,

• for Epson: add the following repository (chap.8.1.4) to your “sources.list” file: “deb http://download.ebz.eps
lsb3.2 main” (without the quotes)
• for HP: make sure the ‘hplip’ package is installed on your machine. If your printer is very recent, visit
the dedicated page https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing, download the pack-
ages corresponding to tour printer for the Debian system (files ending by “.deb”) and install these
packages using either the dpkg or gdebi tool (chap.8.7).

To check your printer compatibility, you can visit the dedicated page of the openprinting.org site: https:
//www.openprinting.org/printers.

Regardless of the chosen method, don’t forget to plug the power cord at both ends, to verify that the paper

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tray is not empty, to connect the printer either directly to your computer, or to the local network, and to
turn its power on.

6.2.1 Simplified graphical method with system-config-printer

The Debian GNU/Linux desktops include the system-config-printer tool, a simplified graphical manager
to add and configure your printer.
If you followed the Debian classic installation procedure, this tool is already present on your system and
can be found usually at “System > Print Settings”, or in the Control Centers for Gnome or KDE. If you don’t
find it, simply open a terminal and launch:

system-config-printer

If a message indicates that the printing service is not available, it is enough to press the “Start the service”
button in the very same message window. You will be asked to enter your password. If this does not
improve the situation, chances are that the CUPS package is not installed.
Within a terminal in admin mode, install the CUPS package :

apt update && apt install cups

Then re-boot your system to take into account these modifications.

If everything went well, the printer configuration program then displays this message window when the
system-config-printer is launched:

System-config-printer: default interface

Click on the “Add” button to get the list of detected printers. If the button is disabled, click on “Unlock”.

System-config-printer : unlock applcation

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Then you access the “New Printer” window which presents the local or network “Detected Devices” list.
Select your printer and click the “Forward” button:

Printer selection

If your printer was correctly detected, its driver has been selected for you. You can describe your printer
in the next window. Once you are done with the modifications click on the “Apply” button:

Printer description

The installer then ask you if you want to test the printer:

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 Print test page?

The printer is now correctly added to your machine. It is available for the printing tasks executed by any
of the installed applications on your system (LibreOffice, Evince (for pdf files), etc.).
To change your printer settings, double-click on its icon:

Printer configuration

Small hint: to change the printer behavior in case of error, go to your printer settings, click on the “Policies”
category, and select the “Abort job” option (instead of “Stop printer”) in the “Error policy” field.

6.2.2 Universal graphical method with CUPS

The simplified interface is handy, but the classic CUPS interface is no longer as austere as it used to be.
You can access it from your Internet navigator since CUPS is a print server offering a web interface.

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So let’s meet on the page http://localhost:631/printers/ which displays all the detected printers (don’t forget
to connect your printer either directly to your computer, or to the local network, and to turn its power on).

CUPS: “Printers” tab of the web interface

A left-click on your printer opens the dedicated page:

Active printer page

which includes the “Maintenance” and “Administration” menus. Depending on the selected operations,
the administrator password will be requested. (chap.3.8.3).

More information of the Debian SystemPrinting Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/SystemPrinting.

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6.3 Check for updates

Debian updates have nothing to do with Windows’ updates…

The GNU/Linux system updates are the direct evidence of one of the free software strengths: the
public sources.
As opposed to the proprietary systems, hiding their software flaws (since they sell it) as long as possible,
the free distributions publish their software flaws as soon as they are discovered and fix them immediately.
So, when a small window suddenly pops up and invite you to update your system, say yes, of course, and
your computer will thank you a all lot.

• Updates using a terminal (chap.6.3.1)

• Updates using the Synaptic package manager (chap.8.5.3)
• Updates using Discover on KDE (chap.8.4.3)
• Updates with the simplified Debian software center (chap.8.3.4)

6.3.1 Update with a terminal

The terminal, this little box which frightens you so much, whereas it is actually your friend … yes, yes …
your friend.
You want a proof ? Easy: we are going to update the entire system using just one line.
You start by opening a terminal window (usually under the menu “System” of your environment).
If during the Debian install, both the “root” account and a “normal” user account (for the common use
of the system) were created, you have to use the command “su -” in order to execute a command in
administrator mode, when the session was open by the “normal” user. The super-user password is then
requested.

user@debian-pc:~$ su -
Password :
root@debian-pc:~# apt update && apt full-upgrade

On the other end, if during the Debian install, the super-user account was disabled (no password was
entered) , the “normal” user has the opportunity to gain the super-user privileges by using the “sudo”
command. When using sudo, your own password is requested.

user@debian-pc:~$ sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

Password :

… wait a minute, what does that mean exactly?

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 • “sudo”: allows you to take the super-user role ;
• “apt”: the command to invoke the Debian package manager ;
• “update”: reload the information concerning the available packages ;
• “&&”: once this is done without error, launch what follows ;
• “apt”: the same application verifies and applies the modifications ;
• “full-upgrade”: execute a complete update of the installed applications, adding or removing pack-
ages as necessary. A confirmation to proceed will be requested. For a complete example have a
look on the Administrator example (chap.3.8.3).

6.3.2 Updates notification

The GNU/Linux desktops use Software or the Synaptic package manager on the Gnome, Xfce and
LXDE interfaces, or Discover on the KDE interface, and both tools include a notification function.
Thus, your system checks the repositories on a regular basis (when the network is available, of course),
without even bothering you, and displays a notification at the beginning of a new session when some
updates are available. It is enough to accept the updates, or to click on the notification bubble opening
up, to display the update manager tool integrated in your system.

Update notification on the KDE interface

If you want to manually check for available updates, you can use the terminal and the magic command
apt update in administrator mode:

user@debian:~$ su -
Password :
root@debian:~# apt update

6.4 Retrieve your email account

If you have an online messaging service like gmail.com or free.fr, you can access it from your Fire-
fox web browser (launches from the application menus in the “Internet” section). Enter the address of
your online account provider (openmailbox.org, yahoo.fr, orange.fr, google.com …) in the address bar and
launch it by pressing [Enter].
If you do not have an e-mail account, or if you want to create a new e-mail account, we recommend that
you use one of the services that respect your privacy. For example:

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 • https://protonmail.com
• https://www.mailo.com
• https://www.zaclys.com/zmail/
• https://webmail.vivaldi.net
• https://www.infomaniak.com
• https://posteo.de
• https://runbox.com
• https://kolabnow.com
• https://tutanota.com
• https://mailfence.com
• https://mailbox.org

If you want to use a local e-mail client, a dedicated software, Debian offers several tools, but all working
on the same model: Gnome uses “Evolution”, KDE includes “KMail” and Xfce integrates Thunderbird.

6.4.1 Thunderbird: your free mail client

Thunderbird (https://www.thunderbird.net/) is primarily an emailer, but it is also a communication hub

that allows you to read and write within newsgroups, chat with others (discussion group), and read RSS
feeds provided by some websites.
If you have two or more email accounts, it might not be very practical to access each of them using the
browser! Thunderbird is an application that brings together all the mail boxes of all your email accounts,
in one single convenient interface.
To open Thunderbird, from an application list or a menu, select the “Mail client” from the “Internet” cate-
gory.

6.4.1.1 Thunderbird setup

At first startup, Thunderbird provides temporary configuration interface and a foreground window that
allows you to create an account with two suppliers and partners.
If you want to take advantage of this option, fill the fields in and let you be guided, this configuration is
automatic.
If you are not interested, you can click on “Skip this step and use my existing address”.
Another window opens. Then provide the requested information about your account. You can choose
whether Thunderbird must remember the password. If you leave this option unchecked, you would need
to re-enter your password each time you connect.

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 Thunderbird: mail account configuration

Click on “continue”. Thunderbird then searches in its database the specific parameters for your email
account. When finished click on “Done”.

Thunderbird: mail account verification

Thunderbird now displays your account details in the right column, starts downloading all your emails and,
depending on your provider, all your contacts (this may take sometime).

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6.4.1.2 Thunderbird interface

Thunderbird: default display

The Thunderbird interface is relatively intuitive. In the top tool bar you can check your mail, compose a
new message, open a chat session, access your address book, put a label on a message, or filter your
messages.
At the right of the menu bar you can find the Thunderbird menu, represented by three small horizontal
bars, from which you can set your preferences, and launch various actions.
For example if you click on the Message menu (or right-click on a given message), a list of actions is
proposed, like Reply, Forward, Archive, Mark as Junk, etc.
The right panel is reserved for the “Lightning” calendar, very intuitive: a click on a date will open the
assistant to make new appointments.
If you are looking for a specific message you have several options:

• Type few characters in the search field of the top menu bar;
• Click on one of the column headers (“Subject”, “From”, “Date”, “Attachments”, “Star”, “Tag” if you
tag your messages, Read/Unread status, etc.): your messages will be sorted immediately according
to the selected criterion (defined by the header name), which will let you find quickly an old message
rather than scrolling through an endless list of emails. By clicking a second time on the column
header the sort will be done in reverse order. Thus, by using this tool, you can customize the way
your messages are presented according to your own criteria.

6.4.1.3 Retrieve other email account(s)

If you have more email accounts you want to access via Thunderbird, click on the main menu (the three
small horizontal bars at the right of the tool bar) and select “New Message” > “Existing Mail Account …”
and continue the Mail Account Setup procedure like explained above.

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6.4.1.4 Thunderbird settings

In the modern presentation of Thunderbird (as well as other communication tools like Firefox and
Chromium, for example) the application menu is defined by three small horizontal bars (sometime called
“burger menu”) at the top right of the window. From this menu you have access to the various parameters
of the application.
If you prefer the classic presentation, with the menu bar at the top of the window, click on this Thunderbird
menu, then on “Preferences” and tick the “Menu Bar” on.
It is advisable to visit the Preferences setting window, where you can define the handling of junk mails,
define a master password for all your account, customize your tag list, among all the settings available in
there.

6.4.1.5 Protect your new and forwarded e-mails

… Encrypt your e-mails … what does that mean?

Let us take the example of the regular mail, sent via post-mail. You send a postcard to your mother-in-law
for example, you know that what is written on it can be read by the postman or anyone else. Well, with
your e-mails, it’s exactly like the postcard, if you do not encrypt them.
“Does not matter ” you say, “I don’t care if someone knows that I wrote to my mother-in-law that the weather
is fine during our vacations”. Perhaps. But you can write more than just mundane wordings in your
messages, and you never know what can happen to them. You are not convinced? I ask you to reconsider
if you really have nothing to hide by visiting this page on the FSF website: https://emailselfdefense.fsf.org.

To effectively protect your electronic exchanges, use EnigMail!: https://emailselfdefense.fsf.org.

6.5 Login configuration

GNU/Linux systems follow the principle of rights and permissions by default. When you install Debian, a
password is requested for the primary user. This password is requested at the beginning of the session.
If you are using Debian in single-user mode, you can disable this password request in order to begin your
working session directly when the computer is started.
Debian uses three different default connection managers: GDM (on Gnome & Cinnamon), LightDM (on
MATE, LXDE & Xfce) and SDDM (on KDE and LXQt).

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6.5.1 Auto-login with GDM

Gnome : Password request at session start

GDM3 (https://wiki.debian.org/GDM) is the Gnome Display Manager for the main desktop environment
on Debian. To enable automatic login from the system widget, click on the Gnome settings button:

Gnome settings

In the settings window, select the “Users” section. Unlock the application, the administrative password
will be asked.

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 Unlock user preferences

Activate the automatic login:

Auto login enabled

6.5.2 Auto-login with LightDM

LightDM

You can setup LightDM (https://wiki.debian.org/LightDM) by editing its main configuration file. To enable
autologin, you’ll have to edit it with a terminal. Open a terminal and become root with the “su” command

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(chap.3.8.3). The administrator password will be asked. Once connected to a root terminal, copy (to
backup) and edit the dedicated file with this 2 commands:

cp /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.bak
nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

The second command opens the configuration file in the CLI Nano editor. Use arrows to scroll and locate
those lines:

#autologin-user=
#autologin-user-timeout=0

Remove the “#” (uncomment) in front of each line then add your login like this:

autologin-user=my_login
autologin-user-timeout=0

Where “my_login” should be replaced by your login.

Save the file with the [Ctrl]+x shortcut, then answer “Y” for “yes”:

LightDM: configuration file edition with the Nano CLI editor

You can close your terminal: your password won’t be asked anymore at login time.
In case of troubles, just enter this command in administrator mode to restore your previous LightDM con-
figuration:

mv -f /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.bak /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

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6.5.3 Login configuration on KDE

SDDM: login screen on KDE

KDE is a truly complete environment and SDDM (Simple Desktop Display Manager) provides you with
a graphical interface to configure your login screen. The configuration tool will allow you to manage the
wallpaper, the language used, some options and of course, the automatic login.
To access the SDDM configuration, direction the System Settings menu > Startup and Shutdown > Login
Screen (SDDM):

KDE: launching SDDM configuration

Enable automatic login from the “Behaviour” tab of the SDDM configuration interface:

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 SDDM: graphical configuration tool

Select the “Automatic login” checkbox together with the user ID from the “User” drop-down menu. As this
action changes the system settings, you will be prompted for the administrator password. On the next
login, your password won’t be asked.

6.5.4 Automatic login on LXQt

Login screen on LXQt

LXQt uses sddm as KDE but does not offer a graphical configuration interface. To open your LXQt session
without a password, you must go through the terminal and edit the configuration file sddm.conf.
Start by creating the configuration files then edit it with nano within a terminal console in administrator
mode (chap.3.8.3):

sddm --example-config > /etc/sddm.conf && nano /etc/sddm.conf

Fill in the file by indicating the name of the session (“lxqt.desktop”) and the identifier of the user who will
benefit from the automatic connection:

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 sddm.conf edited in nano CLI editor

Save the file using the keys [Ctrl]+x then choose “Y” to confirm the name of the file. Upon restart, you will
take advantage of the automatic connection.

6.6 Navigate on Internet

The primary function of a web browser is to let you consult information available on the Web (World Wide
Web). The user gives the browser the web address of the resource to consult. There are three ways to
provide a web address:

• Type yourself the web address in the address bar of the browser,
• Select a entry in your list of bookmarks
• Follow a link on a web page, knowing that each link is associated with a web address.

The browser connects to the web server hosting the target resource. The communication protocol com-
monly used is HTTP or HTTPS (its secure version).
> If the resource is an HTML page, a compatible video file, or a PDF file, the browser display the page.
> If the resource is unknown or not handled by the browser, the choice is yours: download or open the
resource with an external application.

6.6.1 Firefox: a free web browser

Firefox (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) is an open and free web browser, developed and

distributed by the Mozilla Foundation (https://www.mozilla.org) with the help of thousands of volunteers
using the free software/open source development methodology (according to wikipedia).

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Debian integrates Firefox-ESR, the “Extended Support Release” version, aimed at large organizations
(and small ones) for mass deployments. This version is maintained for 10 months from its release date
and only benefits from security updates, ensuring a stable and secure browser.
The main window consists of the following elements (from top to bottom):

• The tab bar displays the open Internet pages and allows you to switch from one to another with a
single click.
• The tools bar displays: the backward and forward buttons, the address bar, the search field, the
bookmark button, the main Firefox menu.
• the browsing pane displays the web pages contents.

Firefox on Debian

Customize and configure Firefox through its main menu that appears when clicking on the “burger”
icon (at the right end of the tool bar):

• The first line of the menu “Sync and save data” allows you, if you have previously created a Firefox
account, to synchronize your data (like your bookmarks, history, passwords, open tabs and add-ons
installed) on all your different devices.
• “New Tab” opens a tab in the active firefox window.
• “New Window” opens a 2nd window with the Firefox browser.
• “New Private Window” will open a 2nd window but this time, passwords, cookies and history will
be automatically deleted, leaving no trace at the end of the session.
• “Bookmarks” allows you to consult and manage your favorite websites.
• “History” allows you to consult and manage your surf history.
• “Downloads” allows you to consult and manage your downloads history.

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 • “Passwords” allows direct access to parameters related to passwords saved in Firefox
(about:preferences#privacy).
• The Add-ons and themes button takes you to the extensions configuration menu (active or inac-
tive) as well as the look of your firefox browser.
• “Print” opens the print preview window
• “Save Page As” will help you to copy on your hard disk, in a directory specified, the active web
page in Firefox.
• “Find in page…” allows you to search and find a word in the current page through the searchbar.
• Then comes the Zoom line… it’s explicit.
• The Settings button takes you to the main configuration tab.
• The More tools button launches some functions as the “edit mode” of Firefox: the top panel
presents “Additional Tools and Features” that you can move either to the Firefox main menu
(currently open) or directly into the tool bar, and vice versa … Well, you tweak the look of the
browser by just dragging and dropping items in the interface. When you are done click on “Exit
Customize” at the bottom of the main menu. You would find the task manager as well, which
indicates the memory used by the various open web pages and your extensions.
• The “Help” button takes you to the official Firefox on-line help. Mozilla contributors did work very
well. The online help (https://support.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox) is comprehensive and de-
tailed: you can explore in there all your browser capabilities.

To add new features to your Firefox browser, navigate to the main menu > Add-ons and themes. In the
tab that opens, select “Get Add-ons” and choose from the available modules (https://addons.mozilla.org/
fr/firefox/extensions/).

Firefox: Add-ons catalog

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6.7 Watch a video

Once your system is installed (or in Live session), a double-click on a video file will open it with the de-
fault player of your DE. For Gnome or Cinnamon, it is the “Videos” player (Totem) which is automatically
launched when double-clicking on a video:

Totem: open a video on Gnome-Shell

Its use is very simple and intuitive. At the slightest movement of the pointer, the playback menu is dis-
played and allows you to browse the video file, set loop playback (the vertical bar formed by 3 points) or
adjust the volume. The main menu gives you access to other functions.
Each DE integrates its own player, all featuring the same basic functions, largely enough for a first use of
a Debian system.
The Xfce desktop comes with a multi-platform media player widely used by Windows®: VLC (https://
www.videolan.org/vlc/), a way to get started on Debian without changing your habits.

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 VLC multimedia player on Gnome-Shell

VLC is a free media player and a system capable of playing most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio
CDs, VCDs, and various broadcasted protocols.
As usual on Debian, you can add the multimedia software of your choice. I’ll let you visit the list of appli-
cations available on the Debian wiki (https://wiki.debian.org/Multimedia).

6.8 Listen to music

Debian GNU/Linux comes with a media player for each DE. Some allow the management of a large mu-
sic collection, including sort management, play lists, cover artwork, etc (such as Amarok or Rhythmbox
described in the following section), others are simple, lightweight and easy to master (Such as Audacious
https://audacious-media-player.org/ or XMMS https://github.com/xmms2/wiki/wiki).

6.8.1 About audio format natively recognized

Debian recognizes (among other things) the 4 main default formats (mp3, ogg, flac, wav). If you need to
install codecs or non-free audio software, you will need to modify your repositories (chap.8.1.4) to add the
“contrib” and “non-free” sections.

6.8.2 Rhythmbox: your music player

Rhythmbox (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Rhythmbox) is the default music player in the Gnome environ-

ment, which allows you to play and organize your music collection.

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Here are its main features:

• Sort by artists, albums or genres..

• Playlist management.
• Display of jackets and lyrics.
• Management of podcasts and web-radios.
• Integration of Libre.fm and Last.fm.
• Support for portable players (MTP or iPod).
• Support infrared remote controls.
• Sharing and playing music on a local network.

At first launch, Rhythmbox scans your “Music” folder, but you can add more folders to your music library.

Rhythmbox: default view

Rhythmbox: menu

Rhythmbox integrates a complete preferences and a plugins system that adds functionality to the player.

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 Rhythmbox: preferences/plugins settings

Being the default audio player of the Gnome desktop, it benefits from a complete integrated help:

Rhythmbox: complete help

The main desktops also have their own dedicated player, which works with the same principle: a music
library scanned by the application which then offers you to play a single record or a full “playlists”, options,
preferences and plugins.
Let your mouse wander, you do not risk anything: a confirmation will be asked for each action involving
the modification or the deletion of your musical files.

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6.9 Work with word processor

Debian integrates by default the full office suite LibreOffice which allows you to work on documents using
any kind of format coming from different office suites.
If you don’t need such a comprehensive tool suite, you can use the Abiword (https://packages.debian.org/
bookworm/abiword) or Gnumeric (https://packages.debian.org/bookworm/gnumeric) tools, which are
lighter, while maintaining a high level of compatibility.

6.9.1 LibreOffice : the free office productivity suite

Libreoffice: default view

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/) is a free (as in freedom) office suite that offers tools for word
processing (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), presentation (Impress), drawing (Draw), database (Base) and
editing mathematical formulas (Math).
LibreOffice is the default office suite for Debian and is integrated within the main desktops during the
installation process. There are many possibilities for LibreOffice. The official wiki of the community is
very well done and will provide you with an efficient and complete help (no need to reinvent the wheel …):
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org
Good reading .

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6.10 Edit your photos with the Gimp

the Gimp

Debian includes the graphic edition software the Gimp.

GIMP, standing for GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an image processing software. Often consid-
ered as a competitor of Adobe™ photoshop™, it is, at any rate, a safe alternative with basically the same
feature set, and on top of it, it is free!
Available for a whole range of OS, it runs obviously on Linux, MacOsX, BSD and Windows®.
There are already very good documentation concerning The GIMP, and this page was written only to
gather, in few lines, the most basic hints, without having to browse through dozens of sites hoping to find
its happiness.

logo the GIMP

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6.10.1 Interface Overview

The Gimp on Gnome-Shell

The main window pops up and unveils … lots of tools to have fun with …
The tools box (top left) - The tools options (bottom left) - The Gimp menu bar (top center) - The active
picture (centered) - The tabs displaying the tools data(top right) and the layers (bottom right).

• The toolbox contains the icons for the various Gimp tools. You can add or remove them from
the menu bar > Edit > Preferences > Toolbox. The function of each tool is displayed on a pop-up
window, if selected.
• The tool options displays the parameter values of the tool currently used: the size and hardness
of the brush, for example, or the opacity of the filling color…
• The menu bar gives you access to all functions and features of the Gimp.
• The active image is displayed in the main window: the changes made are directly visible.
• The right window contains various tabs that you can modify or mask by clicking on the small arrow
at the top right of the tab.

By default, the first tab displays the active layers in the image.

… What do those “layers” exactly mean??

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Gimp uses the principle of layers, ie the superimposition of images for a final rendering. It is the same
principle as when recording a piece of music: the instruments are all recorded on separate “audio tracks”,
and the voices also; then they are “mixed” all together to obtain the final piece of music.
For the layers of Gimp, it is the same principle: you separate the different elements on layers and the final
image is assembled and exported in the format of your choice (JPEG, PNG …).
The default format of Gimp is “xcf”, a format that preserves the independence of the different layers
and thus enable modifying one element without touching the other layers.

6.10.2 First Tips

Prepare a folder with a copy of the images to be modified:

It is often said, the backup is your friend and it is also true for image editing. Before working on your
project, create a folder where you will place a copy of your original image as well as all the elements you
want to add (other images to process, modify, your graphics resources in short).
Record your work regularly in “.xcf” format:
Gimp uses the default “xcf” format to save your project. This format allows to save the layers and therefore,
permits a fine modification of your work. To save in xcf format, direction the menu “File”> “Save”. Once
your project is finalized, you can export your project in a compressed format (jpeg, png, gif) from the
menu bar: “File” > “Export as”.

Have Fun!
One way to discover the Gimp is to test it, try it, and have fun editing your family pictures … Create a
folder to play with Gimp and place your favorite photos or images and start to gimp-it

Tutorials
The Gimp website provides a large choice of tutorials where you could learn how to start playinf with it:
https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/
Print an image
If Gimp prints only white pages, and the preview is desperately showing a blank page too; but you can fix
this problem by installing the gimp-gutenprint package in administrator mode (chap.3.8.3):

apt install gimp-gutenprint

Then, to print a image, all you have to do is: “File > Print with Gutenprint”. A page is open where you can
set up your printer and your desired print layout.

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 Tweaking your environment

Do you feel that you took control of your system ? Now we are going to tweak the configuration of your
workstation.
Basically, you can modify everything you want on the Debian GNU/Linux desktops and tailor your envi-
ronment to make it fit your personal needs and tastes.

To achieve this, the right-click is the quasi-ultimate weapon !

7.1 User interface

The GNU/Linux environments are known for their great flexibility in terms of configuration. However, some
desktop are more flexible than others, because of their main interface.
Grossly speaking, they all work the same way: a “Control Center” to handle almost
all parameters in the same place, and the right-click for the settings of individual elements.
Most of the functionalities have been addressed during the presentation of the desktops (chap.4.2). But
let’s go back to the two main Debian desktops: Gnome and KDE.

7.1.1 The Gnome-Shell interface

Gnome is the default desktop for the Debian installations. This desktop features an “all-in-one” inter-
face which makes it a fluid and intuitive environment.
Gnome-Shell (https://wiki.debian.org/GnomeShell) provides a “uniform” interface: this is what brings this
great fluidity. This means also that you will not be able to modify everything you want, like on the other
desktops built with a modular design. But instead of talking about the few things you cannot make, let’s
talk about all the settings directly available to you.
Let’s take the direction Gnome Activity menu > “Tweaks”.

140
 Gnome-Shell config launcher

The opening window includes all the elements of your Gnome-Shell desktop. The changes are applied
and visible immediately.

Gnome-Shell: configuring the interface

After few “clicks” on the various categories, you will easily understand how to configure your desktop look,
apply a dark theme or select startup applications.

7.1.1.1 Installing Gnome-Shell extensions

Gnome-Shell comes with various extensions built in by default. To access it simply, head to the Gnome
> “Extensions” activity menu.

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 Gnome-Shell extensions launcher

The extension manager displays those that are available directly on your system. You can activate or
deactivate them and some are configurable via the “settings” button under the extension’s name.

Available Gnome-Shell extensions

To install new extensions, visit extensions.gnome.org. This link will open in a Firefox window listing addi-
tional extensions available online.
To be able to integrate new extensions into your system, you must install the add-on linking Firefox to your
extension manager: follow the link “Click here to install browser extension”.

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 Firefox addon installation

Then authorize the browser to install the module by following the instructions:

Allow “extensions.gnome.org” to install module

Add Gnome Shell integration

Confirm Gnome Shell integration

Now, by clicking on the “Gnome” icon in your browser, you access the Gnome online extensions presen-
tation and management page:

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 On line Gnome-Shell extensions

To install a new extension, click on its name or search for it using the dedicated field. Here with “Dash
to Panel”, an extension allowing to restore a traditional dashboard on Gnome-Shell: simply click on
“ON/OFF” and the installation will be proposed to you:

Dash to Panel page

Dash to Panel: Installation confirmation

Your extension is immediately activated, and available in your Gnome-Shell extension manager:

Dash to Panel extension

7.1.1.2 Gnome-Shell keyboard shortcuts

In order to be more efficient, and even if Debian is “mouse-click-oriented”, we suggest you use the key-
board shortcuts: pressing the “Windows” key, for example, switch between the Activities overview and

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desktop. The overview displays the open activities, the dock and the virtual workspaces.

Shortcuts Actions

Alt + F1 or Win Open/Close the Activities overview

Ctrl + Alt + Tab Give the keyboard focus to the top bar
Alt + F2 Pop up command window
Alt + Tab Quickly switch between windows
Alt + Maj + Tab The same, but in reverse order
Alt + ² Switch between windows from the same group
Ctrl + Alt + ↑/↓ Switch between workspaces
Ctrl + Alt + Maj + ↑/↓ Move the current window to a different workspace

7.1.1.3 Gnome Desktop Settings

The main “Gnome Settings” tool is available from the Parameter launcher and gives you access to all your
environment settings.

Gnome-Shell config launcher

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 Gnome-Shell: All Settings Panel

Gnome-Shell : removable media management

Each entry opens a sub-menu which allows you to make your changes, then returns to the main menu to
continue the customization of your environment.

7.1.1.4 The Gnome Classic interface

If you want to use a more “classical” interface, you can take this option during your session sign in: click
on the little gearwheel to select the “Gnome Classic” option before clicking on the “Sign In” button:

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 Gnome classic: Environment selection during Sign In

Your session then opens with a more conventional version of Gnome, but you keep your main settings
and your tools.
The “Classical” interface is lighter, but offers less visual effects (usefull or useless, depending on your
point of view).
In order to come back to the default Gnome-Shell interface, select the “Gnome” option of the gearwheel
menu, next time you Sign In.

Gnome Classic desktop on Debian

7.1.2 The KDE Plasma interface

KDE is a historic desktop among various the GNU/Linux environments, which has always put the empha-
sis on its extreme customization. The transition to the Plasma (https://kde.org/plasma-desktop/) render-

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ing engine did not change a bit on that point: everything in KDE is modular, movable, configurable, and
accessible from a very detailed System Setting Center.
KDE allows you to build your environment from A to Z, down to the last detail. Some would argue that it is
(too) complete, and we cannot hide that there is a small rivalry between KDE users and those using The
Gnome environment.
In any case, these different environments have a distinct advantage: they offer you the opportunity of a
choice!

7.1.2.1 The System Settings panel

Debian System Settings on KDE Plasma

This is where you are going to tweak all your computer and Debian system settings.
Network, audio, video, window appearances, default language, as well as the way you sign in, and a lot
more … Virtually everything is configurable from this panel. Even some desktop special effects integrated
in KDE, in Compiz style, can be managed from here.
Each entry is detailed and you will discover as you go along, the configuration possibilities of the KDE-
Plasma environment.

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7.1.2.2 KDE and desktop widgets

KDE widgets

Plasma allows you to add graphic components to your desktop, sort of small ‘widgets’ that display virtually
anything on your desktop. From the launcher at the top right corner or by right-clicking on the desktop,
select “Add Widgets” and then drag and drop the desired components to your desktop.

KDE and the graphical components

To configure the widgets, left-click on the relevant component to bring up its configuration menu. You can
then adjust the component, move it or resize it to your liking.
KDE is an environment with multiple possibilities. I invite you to look at their website, and more particularly
the tutorials page, which is teeming with information: https://userbase.kde.org/Tutorials.

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7.2 System Preferences

The configuration of your system directly impact you user experience. Instead of writing a complete chap-
ter about the different ethical and technical concepts which led to the Debian software organization, we
are going to examine their consequences on your daily usage.
In the rest of this chapter, you might be asked to activate the “contrib” and/or “non-free” sections of the
Debian repositories, in order to access some “less-free” software. In that case, follow the method docu-
mented in the chapter 8.1.4.

7.2.1 Root-User / su-sudo

During the installation, Debian ask you to enter the password for the “root” administrator account. This
account is common to all the GNU/Linux systems and allows to execute administrative tasks on the sys-
tem.
However, this account is not mandatory. During the installation process, you can pass over the “root”
account configuration (by leaving empty the root password fields), and doing so, avoid its creation.
In this case, this is the first user registered during the installation who will assume the “root” role.

OK… and then?

Then, this changes the way you launch commands to administrate the system: in this manual, every time
we ask you to execute a command in “root” mode, we use the “su” command. But if the “root” account
was not created, you must use instead the “sudo” command, which promotes you as “root”, and type
your own password.
In a nutshell to launch an administrative command:
If the “root” account was created, use “su” + administrator password + command launch:

su
> asking administrative password
apt update && apt upgrade
> command execution

If the “root” account was NOT created, use “sudo + command” + your user password:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

> asking first user password
> command execution

7.2.2 Playing a commercial DVD

The DVDs sold commercially are “copy protected” and usually are not readable by default on free systems.

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The Entertaining Companies consider that we do not have the right, on a free system, to make a private
copy of the DVDs we bought … no comment.
To remedy that, if you really need this functionality, you must install the libdvdcss2 package. This pack-
age is not present by default in the Debian repositories, but can be easily installed via the libdvd-pkg. To
install libdvd-pkg, remember to activate the “contrib” repository. Within a terminal in adminstrator mode:

apt install libdvd-pkg && dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

Your Debian GNU/Linux system is now able to read the “protected” commercial DVDs, and to make
private copies of them.

7.2.3 Installing a graphic card driver

The Debian GNU/Linux system includes free drivers and some firmware in order to operate the integrated
graphical functions (chipsets) of the motherboard or the external graphical card.
Since version 12 “Bookworm”, Debian has included a series of non-free firmware by default in order to
make it easier to recognize your hardware.
Installing a proprietary driver therefore becomes less and less necessary.

… I need a driver to manage the card of my mother ??

Your computer is designed around its “motherboard”, a plastic board on which the various elements of
the processor (the central compute unit) are fixed, as well as the chipset, the graphical component being
part of them (the graphical display computer, to make a long story short).
In order to send the right instructions to these elements the GNU/Linux kernel (the program managing the
interactions between the hardware and the the system) uses pieces of code, called drivers (and sometimes
also “firmware” to be loaded on smart devices during the initialization phase). The Linux kernel includes
by default a set of free drivers. These drivers are usually sufficient to manage the screen display. But it
may happen that proprietary drivers are still needed, for example to optimize the screen resolution.
You can try to install these proprietary drivers if, during a live session or once your system is installed, you
find out that:

• resolution is wrong, with stretched and distorted images,

• the screen remains black after start-up, even if the system was installed without any errors.
• the colors are badly handled
• the system is heating too much when watching videos
• returning from the “suspend” mode is somewhat erratic …

Please note that installing proprietary drivers is a non-free alternative, and as such, not followed by the
Debian developers. If your computer is very recent, don’t hesitate to ask the support of the community
before tinkering with your system (chap.1.2).

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7.2.3.1 Graphics Session Loss

If, following a driver installation, you are facing a black screen, you need to restore the previous configu-
ration … Undo the modifs.
At the login prompt, you need to type your username and password (likewise a graphic session) and then
restart cleanly your computer with the “systemctl reboot” command.
Boot in “recovery mode”: from the Grub loader menu, select the “Advanced options” entry and then
the “recovery mode” entry.

GRUB: advanced options

GRUB: recovery mode

The system launches a console and invites you to continue the startup sequence (by using the [Ctrl]+d
short-cut to quit the console) or to enter the administrator password for maintenance, and this is what you
do:

recovery mode enabled

Recovery mode failed:

If you did not configure a “root” account during installation (chap.3.8.3) recovery mode cannot be activated
because it needs the “root” account and its password. You will see this screen:

Recovery mode failed

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To solve this problem, just add a “root” account with its password. That’s good, you have the rights to do
it, thanks to “sudo”. In your console, log in as a simple user with your password then start creating the
“root” password:

user@debian-pc:~$ sudo passwd root

[sudo] Password for user:

You are asked for your password. Then you fill in the new password for “root”:

New password:
Retype the new password:

And that’s it, the “root” account is now activated, you can start again the operation and enter “recovery
mode”.
Removal of the xorg.conf configuration file: during the installation of the proprietary driver, you cre-
ated an X configuration file located in /etc/X11/xorg.conf and/or in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xxx.conf. It must
be removed. Always within the console and depending on the file created, remove it with the command:
“rm”:

rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-nvidia.conf

Here it was the file corresponding to nVidia which was removed, !! to be tailored to your situation !!.
Uninstall the proprietary drivers: the same way you were able to install a driver, you can uninstall it,
here after an example with the nVidia driver, !! to be tailored to your situation !!:

apt remove nvidia-kernel-dkms nvidia-driver

Restart your computer with a simple systemctl reboot

7.3 Adding a new user

If you are not the only user of your computer, you can create new user account in order to preserve your
own data and preferences. By adding a new user, a new folder will be created in the system. This
folder, named by the new user pseudo (login-ID), will receive the default parameters defined during the
system installation.
It will be readable by you (you can consult the data of the other user) but not writable (you cannot create
or modify its data).
Debian includes a simple graphical tool to execute this task, but you can also use the terminal and the
“adduser” command (described in the next section).

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7.3.1 Adding a new user the graphical way

Each desktop offers its own tool to add a new user, and it is usually located in the environment “system”
menu. With Gnome-Shell, the default session under Debian, you can go through the system-menu located
at the top right of the screen and click on the wheel:

Account settings launcher

In the window which opens, select the “Users” tab in the lef column. You can then modify the parameters
of your account, or create a new account. But you need first to “unlock” the application by clicking on the
lock button at the top-right, and enter the administrator password.

Account settings under Gnome-Shell

To add a new account, click on “Add user…” button:

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 Adding a new user

User configuration

You must enter the full name of this new user, as well as its username (the pseudo or login-ID used when
connecting to a new session). On the Gnome system, you can let the user to define its password during
the first connection, or enter it immediately. The user account is created … and here you go:

Users list

Note that if you have set up an automatic connection for the first user, you will need to “exit the session”
or “switch users” in order to log in as the new user.

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7.3.2 Adding a new user using the terminal

Open a terminal in administrator mode (see chap.3.8.3) enter the command which creates the new “user-
name” account. Note that you should enter here the login-ID (or pseudo), not the full name which will be
asked later on:

root@debian:~# adduser dave

Adding user 'dave' ...
Adding new group 'dave' (1003) ...
Adding new user 'dave' (1003) with group 'dave' ...
Creating home directory '/home/dave' ...
Copying files from '/etc/skel' ...
Enter new UNIX password:

The user account creation process is started and you must enter the password twice (without any echo,
its normal).
Once the account is created, we can enter additional information: full name, room number, work phone,
home phone, and any comments in the “Other” field.
Once done, a confirmation is requested. If these information are correct you can press [Enter] or Y to
finish the account creation process:

Retype new UNIX password:

passwd: password updated successfully
Changing the user information for dave
Enter the new value, or press ENTER for the default
Full Name []: Dave Melville
Room Number []:
Work Phone []:
Home Phone []:
Other []:
Is the information correct? [Y/n] Y

This new user will be able to login with its username and password at computer startup. It will be able to
store and manage its data and configure its environment without any risks for your own data and prefer-
ences.

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 System administration

8.1 The software sources

Debian GNU/Linux uses the repository methodology to distribute applications. This methodology allows
the software centralization and the usage of simple interfaces to administrate and upgrade your system:
you have no need to visit the software sites themselves.

8.1.1 The sources.list file

The Internet addresses of the Debian repositories are stored in the /etc/apt/sources.list file, as well as
the files of the type /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xxx.list.
To edit and modify your sources.list file, you can use one of those commands (in administrator mode):

apt edit-sources
nano /etc/apt/sources.list

The default ‘sources.list’ file on Debian 12

Details concerning the various information found in the ‘sources.list’ file (the lines beginning with a “#” are
just comments):

157
 • “deb”: means a binary repository (the compiled software itself)
• “deb-src”: means a source repository (the program code files used to compile the software)
• “http:…” or “https:…”: the Internet address of the repository server
• “bookworm” or “bookworm-security”: the branch in the repository tree
• “main” or “non-free-firmware”: the repository sections.

… why “bookworm” and not “stable” since the system is based on Debian Stable ??
“bookworm” is the precise version name of the installed system. It sets a given version of each packages
included in the “bookworm” repository (the version of the generic kernel, for example).
“stable” is the generic name of the currently stable version.
For the time being, Debian 12 “bookworm” is the “stable” version, thus you could used either designation.
But when the Debian “stable” version becomes Debian 13 “Trixie”, then Debian 12 “bookworm” attribute
will change to “oldstable”.
Using the precise name of your version allows you to control if and when you want to upgrade your sys-
tem to the next version, as opposed to some systems which want to impose their upgrades…
For more detailed information, I invite you to visit the dedicated Debian wiki https://www.debian.org/
releases/index.html

8.1.2 About repositories, branches and sections/components

Debian organizes its software packages inside repositories. These repositories are divided into branches
and sections/components. To learn more about the “testing” and “unstable” branches read the chapter
8.9. One word, however, about the sections/components inside the repositories.
There are 4 sections in the official Debian repositories:

• main: complies to the DFSG without any “non-free” dependency

• non-free-firmware: non-free firmwares included by default since Debian 12
• contrib: complies to the DFSG with some “non-free” dependencies
• non-free: does not comply to the DFSG

DFSG (Debian Free Software Guidelines) : philosophical principles of the “libre software” according to
Debian ( https://www.debian.org/social_contract.html#guidelines)
Only the packages within the main section/component are officially supported by the Debian project and
are 100% free software. Rather, those proposed in contrib, non-free and non-free-firmware are partially
or totally non-free.
Having said that, and depending on your type of hardware, it is very possible that some services won’t
function correctly without using some specific (proprietary) drivers. In that case, you need to modify the
/etc/apt/sources.list file (details in the following chapter)

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 • More details about the Debian versions in the Debian Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/DebianReleases.
• For more details on sources.list, it’s here: https://wiki.debian.org/SourcesList.
• For a complete documentation on the Debian package management, it’s there: https://www.debian.
org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.html.

8.1.3 Backport packages

Debian offers also some special repositories called backports, which contain more recent versions of
some applications. These repositories are not activated by default, but do not present any particular risks
for your system: the “regular” repositories have the highest priority during the update process,
only the applications installed from the backports will look into these specific repositories.

… what do you mean exactly by “backports” ?

Nothing to do, in fact, with the “backdoors” used to spy on computers running proprietary systems…
The backport is a mechanism allowing an application currently hold in the Debian development reposi-
tories, to be ported back to the “stable” version.
For example, the Debian developers take from the development repositories the most recent version of
LibreOffice, and re-compile (re-build) the package holding the application, while taking care of all the
dependencies existing in the “stable” version.
More details about Backports in the dedicated page of the Debian wiki (https://wiki.debian.org/Backports).
If you are looking for specific application, you have two solutions:

• use the search package tool (https://backports.debian.org/Packages/)

• use the search by category (https://packages.debian.org/bookworm-backports/).

8.1.4 Modifying the Repositories

Before you start modifying the software sources of your system, you must be conscious of the risks your
are taking by using the “contrib” or “non-free” components of the archived branch :

• the lack of freedom for this kind of packages

• the lack of support by the Debian project (you cannot maintain a piece of software without having
the source code at your disposal)
• the contamination of your completely free Debian system.

Now, that you are aware that the non-free people kill the pink rabbits, let’s move on:
To modify your software sources, it is enough to edit the ‘sources.list’ file. Open a terminal in administrator
mode (chap.3.8.3), and enter:

apt edit-sources

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This command opens the appropriate file with the default text editor (nano or vim). Once you are done
with your modifications, save the file (“[Ctrl]+x” with nano, or “:wq” with vim https://www.vim.org/).
Example of line entry for the free packages:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main

Example of line entry for the free packages and the proprietary packages:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Now you can pick in the 4 package sections and install the non-free codecs and drivers.
Note that you can also modify your software sources by using the graphical Synaptic package manager
(chap.8.3).

8.2 APT in a terminal

The following sections present the basic commands to manage de Debian packages with APT (Advanced
Package Tool) within your terminal emulator.
Debian supports also “aptitude”, another package manager, with a different syntax and behavior. This
manual being intended for beginners, no need to explicit these commands here: to learn more about them,
visit the dedicated Debian Aptitude Wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/Aptitude.

8.2.1 ‘User’ command to search and display information

These commands can be executed as simple user, because they do not impact your system.

Command Description

apt show foo Display information about the package foo

apt search foo Look for packages corresponding to the foo
apt-cache policy foo Display the available version of foo

8.2.2 ‘Administrator’ mode commands for system maintenance

These commands must be executed with the “root” administrator rights, because they impact the system.
To move into the administrator mode from a terminal, type “su -”: the administrator password is requested.

Command Description

apt update Update the repositories metadata

apt install foo Install the foo package and its dependencies
apt upgrade Secured update of the installed packages

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 Command Description

apt full-upgrade Update of the installed packet, by adding/removing other

packages if necessary
apt remove foo Remove the foo package, but not the configuratrion files
apt autoremove Auto remove the unecessary packages
apt purge foo Purge the foo package and its configuration files
apt clean Clean the local cache of the installed package
apt autoclean Clean the local cache of the obsolete packages
apt-mark showmanual Mark a package as being “manually-installed”

For more detailed information and the apt/aptitude equivalence, visit the dedicated page of the Debian
manual: https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.html
All-in-One command line (in administrator mode) to update the repositories information + update your
system + clean the packages in cache:

apt update && apt full-upgrade && apt autoclean

To delete useless packages, unecessary dependencies, and old configuration files in administrator mode:

apt autoremove --purge

Which goes to demonstrate that managing your system with a terminal is not that complex.

8.3 Software : the simplified package manager

Software is a simplified manager for Debian applications. It allows you to search, install, delete or update
packages containing your applications. You can find it in the “System” category of your menus or directly
from the Gnome search box by typing “Software”.

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 Software: default Debian interface.

8.3.1 Software: searching an application

Directly by clicking on the search button (the magnifying glass symbol), or by selecting one of the displayed
categories:

Software: searching an application by its name.

8.3.2 Software: installing an application

You can Install an application simply by clicking on its description area and then on the “Install” button.
The administrator password will be requested. You can follow the installation progress in the main window
and then launch directly the newly downloaded application.

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 Software: selecting an application for installation.

Software: authentication.

Software: you can follow the installation process.

Software: the installation was successful, you can launch your application.

8.3.3 Software: removing an application

You can Uninstall an application simply by visiting the “Installed” category (at the top of the interface)
and then by clicking on the “Remove” button. You will be asked for confirmation:

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 Software: selecting an application for removal.

Software: confirmation

8.3.4 Software: upgrading your applications

You can Update your system from the dedicated section “Updates” which will indicate the available
and/or already downloaded updates. If no update is available, you can check the repositories by using
the dedicated button at the top left.

In our example, a set of updates including an “operating system update” requires a reboot. We start by
downloading the packet to update:

Software: updates tab

You then have to restart the system by clicking on the dedicated button.

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 Software: downloading updates

Software: reboot to apply updates

Note that for lighter updates, restart is not necessary.

After reboot, a message window on the desktop informs you that the install was successful.

Software: successful update notification

8.3.5 Software: modify packages repositories

The “Software” application is rather simple, but still allows you to configure your repositories graphically.
From the menu, choose “Repositories”. You can add “non-free” sources and/or define the frequency of
the repositories updates. The repository adresse information on display are coming from your sources.list
file (chap.8.1.1).

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 Software: repositories menu

Software: repositories modification

Once your repositories have been modified, you must reload the information packages. A message
prompts you:

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 Software: refresh packages informations

Software: cache refreshing

8.3.6 Automatic updates with Software

To take advantage of your system without worrying about updates, you can activate the automatic
updates mechanism. From the “Software” menu, select “Update Preferences”. The entries are self-
explanatory:

Software: preferences menu

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 Software: automatic updates

8.4 Discover: the KDE package manager

Gnome uses “Software” to manage applications in a simplified way, KDE integrates Discover, an intuitive
and efficient program.
Discover allows you to search, install, remove or update your applications from a single interface. You
can also modify your software sources in order to install - or not - some non-free applications.
Discover is launched simply from the KDE main menu > Applications> System > Software Center:

Discover launcher

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 Discover: default interface

Don’t hesitate to browse though the application, you will be asked to confirm any modification done to your
packages.

8.4.1 Search and install with Discover

To find an application, type its name in the dedicated search field or visit the various categories of Discover.
Then a click on the “Install” button is enough:

Searching an application with Discover

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 Browsing through categories with Discover

You will be asked for confirmation for any action on the software together with the administrator password.
The process will then be launched in the background. You can follow the progress of the modifications
within the KDE notification area.

8.4.1.1 Install Plasma desktop widgets and addons

Discover allows you to add additional components to your Plasma environment. To achieve this, visit the
“Plasma add-ons” section.

Discover: Plasma desktop addons

Some additional modules are also available for your applications:

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 Discover: applications addons

8.4.2 Uninstalling an application with Discover

With Discover, simply visit the “Installed” category then click on “Remove”:

Uninstalling with Discover

8.4.3 Discover: updating your applications

KDE update notification

When KDE notifies you of one or more updates, it is “Discover” which performs them. To check updates
“manually”, click on the dedicated button:

Discover: check updates

Simply click on “Update all” and confirm with the administrator password.

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 Discover: launching update

Discover: password requested for update

Discover: update progress

Likewise the software management, you can follow the process within the KDE notification area. And a
message will inform you at the end of the process.

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 Discover: system updated

8.4.4 Discover: managing repositories

The KDE software library allows you to modify the sources of your applications without using the terminal.
Go to the “Settings” section of Discover, the entries display the repositories adresses of your sources.list:

Discover: managing repositories

8.5 Synaptic: the comprehensive package manager

Synaptic is the comprehensive graphical interface of the Debian package manager. It allows a total vision
of the proposed packages, whether installed or not. It is a lot more detailed than the Software Center, or
Discover (see the previous chapters) since it displays the full set of available packages (including the
libraries).

• It provides the same functionality as apt.

• You need to enter the administrator password to open and use Synaptic.
• An active Internet connection is also needed to install or update your software.

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8.5.1 Synaptic: Main interface

Synaptic: the default interface of the package manager

The Synaptic window is divided into 4 areas: the tool bar at the top, the left pane allowing different ways
of sorting and selecting the packages, the center pane displaying the package list itself, and below it, the
pane hosting the description of the currently selected package (the selection is done by a click).
In front of each package, you notice a little box (white for non-installed packages, green when they are
installed, red when they are broken). Next to this status box, a Debian logo indicates that this package is
“free” (as in freedom).
Don’t hesitate to click on all the different menus to explore Synaptic and become more familiar with it. It
is a good way to discover its numerous functionalities.
Don’t be afraid to break your system since nothing will really happen until you click on the “Apply” button.
On top of that, a message asking for confirmation will always be displayed first.
The very first thing to do when you launch Synaptic, is to click on the “Reload” button in order to
update all the information (metadata) concerning the repositories, the packages and the available appli-
cations.

Synaptic: repository check

8.5.2 Managing the repositories with Synaptic

The repositories allow to update and install additional packages.

The repositories have been configured during the installation process but you can manage them at any

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time, if you need to. Open the Synaptic package manager (menu System > Synaptic package manager).
In the top menu bar, click on “Settings, and then”Repositories”.

Synaptic: repositories menu

Synaptic: updates setting

You’ll notice that the list corresponds to the contents of the /etc/apt/sources.list file mentioned in chapter
8.1.1.
Now, you can modify your repository sources at your entire convenience. Simply click on a source to
modify it, or on the “New” button to add another source.
Once your modifications are validated, the application will invite you to reload the repositories list in order
to take your changes into account.
Note that if you want to use a “check-box-only” simplified interface on one of the Xfce, LXDE or LXQt
desktops, you need to install the “software-properties-gtk” package.

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 Synaptic: graphical mode sources managment

8.5.3 Updating the system with Synaptic

Before updating the system, it is necessary to “Reload” the package list, by clicking on the corresponding
button, or by going in the menu “Edit > Reload Packages Information” (or even [Ctrl]+r if you want to use a
keyboard shortcut). This action checks if the version of the packages residing on your system is the most
recent one or not.

Synaptic: check repositories informations

Then click on “Mark All Upgrades” or goto menu “Edit > Mark All Upgrades…”.
If nothing happens, after you clicked on “Upgrade everything”, this means that your system is already
up-to-date. You can close Synaptic.
If some packages to install or update are available, they are specified. You can view them by selecting
the “Status” section > “installed (upgradable)”:

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 Synaptic: upgradable packages list

A new window appears with the list of the packages to be upgraded as well as the additional dependen-
cies, if some are required:

Synaptic: change request list

You only have to click on the “Add to selection” then “Apply” button, and accept the requested confirma-
tion:

Synaptic: apply update

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 Synaptic: confirm changes

The system updating process begins by downloading the packages, and continues with their installation.

Synaptic: downloading packages

A message informs you that all the changes were applied.

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 Synaptic: system upgraded

8.5.4 Searching for a software

If you know the name of the package or if you are looking precisely for something, click on the search
button (in the top bar) and enter the keywords of your search in the window which opens.

Synaptic: search for an application

If you don’t know the name of the package you need, you can parse the list using the filtering by
sections, status, origin, etc …
For example, if you are looking for a game, click on Sections in the bottom part of the left pane, scroll
down to the “Games and Amusement” section, click on it, and all the packages concerning games and
amusement are showing up in the center pane.

8.5.5 Installing a package with Synaptic

To install one or several packages, right-click on the little box in front of the package name, and select
the “Mark for Installation” option.

Synaptic: marking a package for installation

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If, in order to be functional, this package requires the installation of other packages (the famous depen-
dencies) they are automatically added to the selection.

Synaptic: dépendencies added

Then, you simply need to click on the “Apply” button, and confirm the summary of the changes to be
applied.

Synaptic: apply changes

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 Synaptic: summary of waiting changes

Packages are downloaded and installed. You can follow the whole process within the synaptic interface:

Synaptic: downloading the packages to be installed

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 Synaptic: successful operation

8.5.5.1 Reinstall a package

Sometimes we want to re-install a package which is already installed. In that case select the “Mark for
Reinstall” option. This allows, for example, to restore the default configuration for the application if you
modified it.

8.5.6 Uninstall a package with Synaptic

Like for the installation, right-click on the little box in front of the package name, and select the “Mark for
Removal” option. Then click on “Apply”.
The simple removal keeps the package configuration files on your system, in case you would like to
re-install it, later on.
To remove also the configuration files select the “Mark for Complete Removal” option (equivalent to
the “purge” in a terminal command line)

Synaptic: selecting a package for removal

8.5.6.1 Synaptic: cleaning useless packages

Often, when software is uninstalled, some packages (the dependencies) remain in the system while no
longer useful, since all the packages needing them are gone. These useless packages can be easily
removed with Synaptic.

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When Synaptic is launched, click on the “Status” button at the bottom of the left pane. If the “Installed
(Auto removable)” category shows up, click on it to display the corresponding package(s) (see image
below):

Synaptic: auto removable packages

All you have to do next is a right-click on each package in the center pane, and select the “Mark for
Complete Removal” option. Once all the packages are marked, click on the “Apply” button.

8.5.6.2 Removing configuration residues

Although one choose to completely remove a software, some configuration residues might still remain in
the system, but they can also be easily removed with Synaptic.
Click on the “Status” button at the bottom of the left pane. If the category “Not installed (residual config)”
shows up, select it.
All you have to do next is a right-click on each package in the center pane, and select the “Mark for
Complete Removal” option. Once all the packages are marked, click on the “Apply” button.

Synaptic: configuration residues

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8.5.7 Look at detailed information on a package

By clicking on a package, its description is displayed on the bottom center pane of Synaptic. To obtain
even more information on a package, right-click on it, and select Properties, or go to menu “Packages >
Properties”.
Then you will know everything - positively absolutely everything - on this package: dependencies, installed
files, size and version.

8.5.8 Synaptic preferences

“Preferences” is a well-named category, existing in most applications, and which is also present here…
But keep in mind that Synaptic is a very special case: it manages the full set of software installed
on your system. When you remove a program, it does not go in the wastebasket (where you could have
potentially retrieved it) !
After these scary warnings, let’s move to the settings available for Synaptic. the Preferences window
(launched via menu Settings > Preferences) displays 6 different tabs:

Synaptic: Preferences window

• General: the options in there are rather explicit. Note: it is possible to un-check the option “Consider
recommended packages as dependencies”, if that helps you keeping an ultra-light system. But this
could induce problems when installing future new packages. Thus an option to be handled carefully.

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 • Columns and Fonts: allows you to display/mask some columns in the package list, and define the
font, if necessary.
• Colors: you can define here the package colors according to their status.
• Files: When you install a piece of software, it is first stored in the cache (which is a specific folder of
the file system) before being uncompressed and installed. These packages can occupy more and
more disk space as you make usage of your computer. Here you can delete them immediately or
configure an automatic action.
• Network: This is the way Synaptic connects to Internet. You should know if your situation requires
a modification of these parameters.
• Distribution: Defines the package upgrade behavior and is very explicit. In case of doubts, do
not modify it!

Remember: by using a terminal (chap.8.2) you can achieve the same results more quickly and with less
manipulations.

8.6 Cleaning the system

Even if the capacity of hard disks increased dramatically during the last years, you might need some free
space. Several scripts automate the disk cleaning process, however I must confess that I prefer to check
before using the rm command (standing for remove. chap.11.2).

8.6.1 Disk space information

The first thing to do, of course, is to find out the used space on your disk. Several tools are available to
you, starting with your terminal:
– Disk space in terminal mode –
A summary of the disk space usage for each system mount points (disks and partitions) with th df com-
mand:

df -h
Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% MountPoint
udev 983M 0 983M 0% /dev
tmpfs 200M 8,1M 192M 5% /run
/dev/sda1 48G 16G 30G 35% /
tmpfs 998M 0 998M 0% /dev/shm
tmpfs 5,0M 4,0K 5,0M 1% /run/lock

– List your repertories sorted by decreasing size –

View your directories bulky thanks to du and sort (the unit is the megabytes):

user@debian-pc:~$ du -ms * | sort -nr

585 Music

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 281 Videos
232 Documents
42 Pictures
26 Dowloads

– Ncdu –
A disk space analyzer in console mode. To launch it, simply type “ncdu” in your terminal. To install this
software (in administrator mode):

apt update && apt install ncdu

Ncdu launched in the user personal folder

– Baobab –
A disk space analyzer in graphic mode, integrated in Gnome but available in other environments with:

apt update && apt install baobab

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 Baobab: disk space analyzer on Gnome

8.6.2 Cleaning the packages

Apt/aptitude/dpkg are the usual Debian package managers. When you install a package its archive-
source/deb file is stored in your system (in the /var/cache/apt/archives/ folder) to enable a potential re-
installation without Internet connection. To clean the “apt cache” use a simple command in administrator
mode (chap.3.8.3):

apt clean

Once the cache of the installed packages is cleaned, you can also remove the useless packages from
your system, as well as the configuration files. Warning! Remember to check carefully the list of the
packages planed for removal, before accepting the operation:

apt autoremove --purge

If you have upgraded your system, it is possible that some packages are no longer available on the new
repositories: they are obsolete. To list and remove these packages, use apt and remember to check
carefully the list of packages planed for removal:

apt list '?obsolete'

apt remove '?obsolete'

Finally, to list and purge configuration files that have remained in place despite the removal of applications,
you can use these commands:

dpkg --list | awk '/^rc/ {print $2}'

apt purge $(dpkg --list | awk '/^rc/ {print $2}')

For the more maniac, you can install the deborphan tool which lists the orphaned packages on your sys-
tem: those that no other package depends on. Warning! Remember to check carefully the list of the
packages planed for removal, before accepting the operation.

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 apt install deborphan # install deborphan
echo $(deborphan) # list orphaned packages
apt autoremove --purge $(deborphan) # remove orphaned packages

8.6.3 Emptying the trash bins

Three different trash-bins (or wastebaskets) must be taken into account:

The user wastebasket : ~/.local/share/Trash/ . You can empty it with the system file manager
(chap.3.6.2.5), or with a terminal:

rm -Rf ~/.local/share/Trash/*

The administrator wastebasket : /root/.local/share/Trash/ . To empty it with the proper manner, use a
terminal in administrator mode:

rm -Rf /root/.local/share/Trash/*

The external wastebaskets : locates on your external disks, they are usually named ‘/media/y-
our_id/your_disk/.Trash_1000’, where your_id corresponds to your login name.

8.6.4 Purging application caches

Some applications use a “cache” folder, where they store images, videos, and miscellaneous information
in order to run faster. Usually these data do not occupy too much disk space, however if (using the tools
described above) you detect that a folder becomes too fat, don’t hesitate to remove it.

rm -Rf ~/.cache/*

Each application has its own way to manage its own cache: some purge it systematically when they close,
others store their data in the /tmp folder, which will be cleared during the session logout, others keep all
their information in a specific folder.
For Firefox, as an example, you can purge the cache from the preferences menu, and even automate this
action every time the application is closed.

8.6.5 Purging the thumbnails

Every time you open a folder containing pictures or videos, thumbnails are created to represent these
graphic files. These thumbnails are stored in a specific folder to reuse them, rather than being forced to
recompute them every time you access this kind of files.
The problem raises when you delete a graphic file, because its thumbnail is kept in the system, and this
leads to a certain amount of disk space wasted to store obsolete thumbnails.
To purge them, it is enough to remove their corresponding folder:

rm -Rf ~/.thumbnails

This folder will be created again, the next time the system needs to store a newly generated thumbnail.

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8.7 Installing external “.deb” packages

Debian GNU/Linux uses the package repository system to better manage the software and increase the
security of your system. But it may happen that you need an external package of the “.deb” format.

… but who is this “deb” ??

deb is the short for “debian”, the mother company. To distribute its software, Debian uses a specific
archive file format: “.deb”. It is a compressed format, like the “.zip” that you use to save your data. These
“.deb” archives are recognized by the different Debian package managers (APT and its graphical interface
Synaptic) and thus can be handled more easily.

8.7.1 Installation in graphic mode with GDebi

GDebi is a graphical utility with allows the installation of external packages of the “.deb” format, while
managing the dependencies.
To install it, look for “gdebi” in your favorite package manager (Synaptic, Discover, Software) or more
simply from a terminal in administrator mode using “su” (chap.3.8.3):

apt update && apt install gdebi

When you download a Debian external package, right-click on it and select “Open with gdebi”.

GDebi: the default interface

Within the menu, click on File > Open and enter the path of the “.deb” file:

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 GDebi: opening a .deb file

Then click on “Install Package”. Your password is requested to validate the install.

GDebi: installing a .deb file

GDebi: installing a .deb file

To uninstall it, very easy : enough to click on “Remove Package”.

GDebi: remove a .deb file

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8.7.2 Installation in terminal mode with Dpkg

Dpkg is a software utility handling the packages, like does apt, but without managing the dependencies.
This means that if you use dpkg to install external packages, you need to install the “dependent” packages
one by one from your terminal. Dpkg is integrated in Debian by default, and must be used in administrative
mode.
To install an external package:

dpkg -i package_name.deb

An error message will let you know if some dependencies are missing. Then simply install them the classic
way with apt:

apt install dependency_1 dependency_2 ...

Then relaunch the installation of your external package.

dpkg -i package_name.deb

To remove an external package:

dpkg --purge package_name

8.8 Installing Flatpak applications

Flatpak (https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/getting-started.html) is a virtualization application system for

GNU/Linux distributions. The objective is to provide a safe “sandbox” environment, isolated from the
rest of the system, where users can run applications not validated by the distribution repositories (test
versions, for example). dixit Wikipedia

… I virtualize in the sandbox …?

The applications that you download from the Debian repositories are “.deb” formated archives containing
the application itself. These applications use common dependencies, are linked to each other, and have
access to your entire system. Debian repositories are secure, so no worries about this issue. But then
why should we use Flatpak?
The Flatpak format works differently: the application is compressed with all its dependencies, making it
completely independent of the system on which it is installed. So, here you can install and use a freshly
updated application or even a brand new one, compared to the Debian repositories.

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The second advantage of this format is the famous “sandbox”. The sandbox is a kind of secure box in
which the application runs, without having access to the rest of the system (with exceptions, when the
user gives its authorization), thereby preventing malicious software from going through your application
to contaminate your system.
The last advantage is that it enables you to run multiple versions of the same application (very practical
for Minetest and servers in different versions).
The downside of this format is that it is not verified by the Debian security: when installing flatpaks, you
should prefer trusted referenced applications (Gimp, VLC, Blender …).

8.8.1 Installing Flatpak

To take advantage of applications in Flatpak format, you must first install the corresponding package.
From your terminal in administrator mode (chap.3.8.3) :

apt install flatpak

You can now download and install flatpak packages by visiting one of the websites grouping these appli-
cations like Flathub (https://flathub.org/home). But the simplest way consists to add a repository to your
sources in order to take advantage of the full applications lists without having to search through the site.

8.8.2 Add a Flatpak repository

To add a repository like Flathub for example, and benefit from an easy search and a simplified installation,
type in your terminal:

flatpak remote-add flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

You will be asked for the administrator password. And you will have to restart your system to take the
changes into account.

8.8.3 Manage Flatpak applications under Gnome with Software

To take advantage of managing flatpaks within your software manager, you must add the plugin cor-
responding to your environment. For Gnome and its simplified software manager, in a terminal and in
administrator mode (chap.3.8.3) :

apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

You can now manage your flatpaks like any other applications (see chap.8.3)

Looking at Flatpak application

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Note the software source indicator at the bottom of the description.

Installing a Flatpak application

As with other applications, the administrator password will be requested for any installation. Your software
will then be directly available in your applications menu.

8.8.4 Manage Flatpak applications under KDE with Discover

To benefit from the management of flatpaks within Discover, under Kde, you must install the appropriate
plugin. In a terminal and in administrator mode (chap.3.8.3):

apt install plasma-discover-backend-flatpak

You can now manage your flatpaks like any other applications (see chap.8.4).
During your search, you must click on the software file. Don’t click immediately on “Install” because Debian
repositories have priority.

Looking for an application with Discover

Select the flathub repository from the Discover “Sources” menu. Then launch the installation by clicking
on “Install”:

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 Selecting the Flathub repository

As with other applications, the administrator password will be requested for any installation. Your software
will then be directly available in your applications menu.

8.8.5 Manage Flatpak applications from your terminal

Here after, the basic commands to manage your flatpaks from your terminal:

Command Action

flatpak search flatpak_name Search for a flatpak in all repositories

flatpak install repository flatpak_name Installing a flatpak from repository
flatpak uninstall flatpak_name Remove a flatpak
flatpak uninstall --unused Remove unused dependencies
flatpak update Update all installed flatpaks
flatpak run flatpak_name Launch a flatpak

Special case: install a flatpak for the current user only with the “--user” option. The files will be placed
in the user directory ($HOME/.local/share/flatpak/).

flatpak --user install *repository* flatpak_name

Example with LibreOffice:

Installing LibreOffice from Flathub:

flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

To launch the flatpak version of LibreOffice:

flatpak run org.libreoffice.LibreOffice

8.8.6 Remove a Flatpak application

If you have installed your flatpak graphically from Software or Discover, just delete it from the installed
applications menu from your software manager: look for the flatpak to uninstall then start the removal from
the dedicated button.
Note that if you want to uninstall all dependencies (software installed in addition to the flatpak for its op-
eration), you will have to launch this command in your terminal:

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 flatpak uninstall --unused

8.8.7 Some Flatpak repositories

To help you in your research, find hereafter some repositories using the Flatpak format and the com-
mands to execute in order to add their repositories. You can use the “--if-no-exists” option to avoid errors
generated by duplicates:
Flathub repository https://flathub.org/ gathering a large number of applications:

flatpak remote-add flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

KDE Flatpak repository:

flatpak remote-add kdeapps https://distribute.kde.org/kdeapps.flatpakrepo

Gnome-nightly Flatpak repository:

flatpak remote-add gnome-nightly https://nightly.gnome.org/gnome-nightly.flatpakrepo

8.9 Who is this Sid guy?

First of all, one must know that several Debian distribution branches exist in parallel.
Namely the oldstable, stable, testing and unstable distributions, as well as an experimental branch.
The Stable distribution is the Debian official distribution, the one released at this moment, which is
maintained and updated by the Debian teams. The only changes made to it concern the security updates
and the bug fixes. It is recommended to favor this version.
The Oldstable distribution is the previous stable version. It is usually supported by the Debian teams
during one year after the release of the new stable version. However it might live longer if enough individ-
uals or companies continue to assure its maintenance. Then it is called a LTS (standing for Long Term
Support) distribution: we extend its life span.
The Testing distribution is the future Stable version. It is used to prepared the next stable version.
When everything is OK, when all the bit and pieces are functioning well together, when all the features
targeted by the Debian teams are included, and after a period of software freeze and bug hunting, then
the Testing version becomes the official new Stable distribution.
The Unstable distribution, nicknamed Sid, is the version which receives all the new packages versions,
and sits at the cutting edge of innovation, but is not very stable: it’s a research lab. Nevertheless some
brave adventurers use it on a daily basis.
The Experimental distribution is not a Debian distribution per se, but rather a repository where alpha
or beta software versions are tested.
All these distributions are given a nickname picked among the characters of the Toy Story® cartoon.
Currently, the name of the stable version is Bookworm, the name of the testing version is Trixie, the
name of the oldstable version is Bullseye, the Experimental as no nickname.

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 Toy Story © Disney & Pixar

The first version of Debian with a nickname was the Debian-1.1 “Buzz”, released as of June 17th, 1996.
(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian_version_history)
The name of unstable is Sid, but who is this Sid guy?
Sid Phillips is the little boy, in the Toy story® cartoon, who keeps breaking all his toys (https://pixar.fandom.
com/wiki/Sid).
More detailed information on the dedicated Debian Wiki https://wiki.debian.org/DebianUnstable.

sid

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 Back up your data

No matter where your expertize level is, or what is the current state of your hardware, nobody is immune to
a bad cockpit error, a technical failure, a heavy thunderstorm, a cup of tea/coffee spilled on the keyboard,
or the cat messing around with the central unit …
The hard disk drive capacities are increasing every day and we are tempted to store on them more and
more data (family pictures, videos, private copies of movies, etc). The risk of losing a large amount of
data also increases at the same time, and that’s why we advise you to execute regular backups of your
personal data, as well as your passwords and email messages.
This section will endeavor to provide you with simple keys to avoid the lost of your favorite files during a
hardware or software failure.

The “cloud” is fashionable these days. Several on-line services are at your disposal to save your data on
an external server…
First of all, you are not immune to a server failure, and secondly, you have no real control on what your
data are going to be used for. The “cloud” is actually the computer of someone else, as Bibi (a friendly
Debian user) told us recently.
I strongly advise you, in case of doubts (not all services are subsidiaries of the NSA …) to backup your
data locally, that is on your own physical medium which you fully control.

9.1 Choosing the medium

Backups used to be made on floppy disks, then on CDs and then on DVDs. Even if you can still use this
kind of support, the technology now gives you access to much larger capacities at little cost.
Depending on the amount of the data to backup, you can find external disk from 1GB (USB key type) to
2TB (2000GB), being powered directly over the USB cable, or by an external power supply. The prices
range roughly from 5 to 200 US$, depending on their storage capacity.

197
Of course, if the size of your data is below 700MB, you can still use a CD-RW (re-writable CD-Rom) for
your backups.

9.2 Graphical mode applications

Debian hosts in its repositories several utilities (https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/

ch10.html#_copy_and_synchronization_tools) in the “copy and synchronization” section, each of them
offers a graphical interface or “client”. Here we present one of the simplest backup tool: Deja-Dup.
Deja-Dup is more than enough to backup your personal data, but if you want to execute a “full system
backup” (including your application and the whole installation) you must use more complex software, as
described in the Debian documentation (https://wiki.debian.org/BackupAndRecovery).

9.2.1 Backing Up with Deja-Dup

Deja-Dup (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/DejaDup) is a “simplified backup tool”, which is a graphical inter-

face to the Duplicity software (https://duplicity.gitlab.io/). It allows building secured backups of your data
within a local folder, an external disk, a local network, a remote network or somewhere in the “cloud”.
It also allows the complete encryption and password protection of your backup files.
Deja-Dup offers a clear interface which does not require any computer knowledge.

9.2.1.1 Installing Deja-Dup

Deja-Dup can be found in the Debian repositories. To install it using a terminal in administrator mode
(chap.3.8.3):

apt update && apt install deja-dup

Or using the graphical interfaces (chap.8.5), look for “deja-dup”.

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9.2.1.2 First backup and configuration of Deja-Dup

Deja-Dup: default interface

Deja-Dup will be accessible from the application menu > “Utilities” > “Backups”.
On first launch, Deja-Dup’s preferences allow you to select which folders to back up, which to ignore, as
well as the location and schedule for the backup.
Its simple and intuitive interface will guide you through the process. Start with “Create my first backup”
and add folders to back up:

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 Deja-Dup: selecting the folders to save

Once the included and excluded folders are defines, you need to define the backup location. You can
select:

• a USB disk (don’t forget to plug in it first)

• a local directory (but in that case, your data won’t be safe if the disk crashes)
• a server of the “cloud” type

Deja-Dup: selecting the storage location

Once the backup location has been configured, Deja-Dup offers you to secure your data with a password.
You will be asked for it during the restoration.

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 Deja-Dup: optional password

Then the backup is done directly from the déjà-Dup interface.

The first backup will be shorter or longer depending on the size of the data to be backed up, subsequent
backups will be faster because they will only take into account the modified files/folders: this is the incre-
mental backup.

Deja-Dup: launching the first backup

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 Deja-Dup: after the first backup

9.2.1.3 Schedule your backups with Deja-Dup

To automate your backups, click on “Back up automatically” then go to the Already-Dup menu> “Prefer-
ences”:

Deja-Dup: preferences launcher

You can manage the frequency of backups, the archiving duration or modify the files to be taken into
account:

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 Deja-Dup: preferences

9.2.1.4 Restoring your data with Deja-Dup

Deja-Dup: restore launcher

To restore a backup on a newly installed system, for example, simply install Deja-Dup on it, launch it
and select “Restore” in the main window.
A series of simple windows will help you find and then recover your data. As with backup, restore is
intuitive: you can navigate through your backups just like in a file browser.
A drop-down menu at the bottom right allows you to choose the date of the data you want to restore. Once
your data has been selected, click on “Restore”:

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 Deja-Dup: define data to restore

Deja-Dup: define where to restore data

If the backup has been encrypted, you will be prompted for the password, and then your data restoration
will begin. A confirmation window will appear once the restore is complete:

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 Deja-Dup: password required.

Deja-Dup: restoring

Deja-Dup: restore process completed

9.3 Manual method

If you want to save just one folder or few of them, you can simply use the file system manager, or your
archive manager (to reduce the storage space through compression).
The latter produces “real” archives: for subsequent consultation of these data, you need to decompress
the archive.
From the file manager, select the folders to be saved, then right-click and take the “Compress…” (or
“Archive”) action.
Then you just have to move the archive file on an external medium.

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9.4 Cloning the system

This is the complete solution ensuring a total safety for your data: cloning the entire hard disk.
Clonezilla Live (https://clonezilla.org/) is a Live CD based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution, which
includes the Clonezilla software. It allows the user to directly execute from its machine:

• A Backup: copy the entire disk copy , or one or several partitions, under the form of an image and
save it on any kind of storage.
• A Restore: restore an image from its storage location (to the same disk, another disk, another
machine, a USB key, a network, etc.).
• A Copy: direct copy from an original disk to another destination disk.

This Clonezilla version is able to connect to different servers: SSH server, Samba server, NFS server …
As its name suggests it, it works like a Live CD (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) but can also be executed from a
USB key, an external disk, etc. (source Wikipedia).
You can find an English tutorial on this page:
https://www.howtoforge.com/back-up-restore-hard-drives-and-partitions-with-clonezilla-live.

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 Protect your data and your privacy

The news are crystal clear: Internet is being wire-tapped. It is not to alarm or frighten you, but you must
realize that the “Internet” is not your private living room, and that each picture or text used on the web is
potentially recoverable.

10.1 Protect your system

10.1.1 Physical security

This is obvious, but let’s say it once and for all: if you want to protect your data, don’t leave your laptop
everywhere! Don’t leave your computer wide open and in self-service at your home!
Your computer hosts your passwords (bank, administration, work …), your documents (administrative
forms, pictures, etc.), your browsing history (the sites you visited and when), etc. You may think that
these information are seemingly harmless, but they allow - for the best - to define your consumer profile,
or - for the worst - to use your computer as a gateway to crack in other persons systems.
If you want to present the distribution you are using, or simply share your resources, we strongly suggest
you create another user account (chap.7.3) that will not be able to access your data, nor to mess with your
system administration.

If your computer is always on the road, we suggest you use the direct encryption during the system
installation like mentioned in the chapter 5.5.3. By this way, even if your computer is lost or stolen, it will
be extremely difficult to extract the data residing on your hard disk.

10.1.2 Updates

The software updates bring new functionalities, fix bugs and, above all, correct potential security
flaws.
This is the big strength of the Libre-Software: the program sources are available, thus when a flaw is
uncovered, it is publicized and fixed immediately.

207
This practice to be opposed to the proprietary systems, whose flaws are being kept secret, and continue
to affect the daily life of all their users.
The security updates should not be considered as optional ones: you must install them as soon as
possible.

10.1.3 Passwords

Each year, tens of thousands of email accounts, Wi-fi access codes, phone PIN … are easily cracked,
because users picked passwords too easy to guess. The top worst password for the year 2013 was
“123456”, but there are other crazy sequences like “QWERTYUIOP”, “0000”, animal names, birthdays
…
All these passwords, far too easy to guess, must be avoided !
And, by the way, putting together two weak passwords, does not create a strong one ! “Indepen-
dance1783” might be difficult to guess for a human being, but a “computer robot” will decipher it in the
blink of an eye.
To increase the robustness of your password, in other words to increase its resistance against de-
ciphering attacks, use as many characters as possible and mix their types (lowercase and uppercase
letters, numbers, special characters).
There are simple tools which allow you to keep and organize your passwords like KeePassX (https://www.
keepassx.org/).

The stronger my password is, the more difficult it is to memorize it. Isn’t it ?
You can use a “pass-phrase. Here we are talking about a long sentence, difficult to uncover, but easy
to remember: few words put together produce a meaningless string, but which has a well defined sense
for yourself.
For example, the sentence “grandma loves French pickles in her soup”, can easily becomes a robust
password: “GrandmaLovesFrenchPicklesInHerSoup” … especially if one replaces few vowels by num-
bers (“i” by “1”, “e” by “3” and o by “0”):
“GrandmaL0v3sFr3nchP1ckl3sInH3rS0up”.
Note that it works with grandpa too .

10.2 Protect your data

It goes without saying … but it’s better by saying it …

External media containing your bakups hould not be left self-service at home: Make sure to reserve a hard
drive for your saved personal data, and keep it out of sight (and fingers).

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10.2.1 Limit the access rights of others on your data

If you use Debian in “multi-user” mode, the data of the other users are readable by you, and yours too, by
necessity. You may want to restrict the other users access rights to some of your data.
The graphical procedure is easy to execute (no need to open a terminal): right-click on he folder > prop-
erties > “Permissions”. Hereafter an example with the “Documents” folder:

Properties menu

Select the “None” option for the “Others” access rights:

No access for others

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A window will ask you if you want to apply these modifications to all the files and folders embedded within
the concerned folder, and we advise you to accept, in order to protect the full set of data included inside
this folder.

10.2.2 Backup your data

You certainly ran into these warning messages talking about backing up your data …
and this is not for nothing! Please refer to the chapter 9 and get into the habit of saving your data on
an external medium and on a regular basis.

10.3 Antivirus software

Admittedly, the GNU/Linux systems are much less sensitive to virus attacks, but it is possible to find a
virus on a GNU/Linux machine.

For the time being, updates are the only efficient protections against potential viruses, and adding an
antivirus software on your system does not improve its security. Viruses embedded within documents
originating from proprietary systems do not target the GNU/Linux environments, and as such, are totally
harmless for your data.
However, if you want to monitor and control your data, ClamAv is the reference antivirus software. Note
that it does not run continuously in the background, and the user should explicitly request a folder scan to
verify its contents.
More information on the DebianHelp site https://www.debianhelp.co.uk/clamav.htm

10.4 Parental control

Yes, one can find everything on Internet: the best and the worst, and often inappropriate images and
contents for our children. In order to let them enjoy safely the digital world, you can use different parental
control systems.

However, keep in mind that YOU are the best parental control !

10.4.1 From your ISP

The Internet Service Providers usually propose different parental control software. This method allows
you to control all the devices on your home network, but does not exempt you to activate the parental
control on your Web Browser.
More information on the site https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

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10.4.2 From your Web browser

BlockSite is an extension, which automatically blocks websites of your choice. Additionally, this ex-
tension will disable all hyperlinks to these websites, by just displaying the link text without the clicking
functionality. The addon website says: “The data collected is not used to identify individual users.”… Up
to you…
You can find other addons in the Mozilla website: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/search/?cat=all&tag=
parental+control
An alternative solution is to use a search engine whis is going to filter the proposed results, like Qwant
Junior: https://www.qwantjunior.com

10.5 Privacy on Internet

It is difficult to remain completely anonymous on Internet. Unless you are a well equipped experienced
user, you will always leave a trail behind you.
The most beautiful fingerprint you leave, on a daily basis, is your IP address. In fact, each device
connected to Internet must have an IP address, which allows to know not only your ISP, but also
your precise geographical location … A small test? visit this page to know your public IP address:
https://whatismyipaddress.com/
In addition, even if you are not a great pastry chef, you are giving away a lot of “cookies” to all the sites
you are visiting. Cookies are connection witnesses: they keep, for a given site, information like your
preferences, your identifier, your password, your chosen language, the content of your digital shopping
cart, etc. not only on your computer but also on the servers in the cloud. Thus, when you start a search
request on a site, it is very capable to register this information.
Advertising companies come join the party, and automatically create your profile by looking at your brows-
ing history.
Don’t be alarmed, numerous advises and software tools are at your disposal to easily become discreet.

10.5.1 Social networks

Remember that the social networks, in their vast majority, are not there to help you, quite the contrary:
they are big advertising agencies which collect everything they find about you. Then, these personal
information are resold to advertisers, in order for them to better target your “needs”.
Intelligence on the social networks does not stop there: they continue to trace you on plenty of sites by
using - for example - the “like” or “G+” buttons.
Furthermore, the latest scandals unveil the fact that personal data can be collected by several govern-
mental intelligence agencies, even if you are not doing anything suspicious.

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If you cannot resist to the temptation of opening an account on a social network (and I fully understand
you: virtual encounters are very cool), you can try the Diaspora or the Mastodon journey and discover
a decentralized network, which is respectful of your private life and data; Diaspora and Mastodon
are designed on the “node network principle”, which means that several connecting points are available.
Here is one to start with: https://joindiaspora.com/ and https://mastodon.social/about.
As far as the other “less social” networks are concerned, find hereafter few simple advises:

• Use a pseudo instead of your name and forename.

• Limit your network to the persons you know in the real life.
• Modify your privacy settings in order to be seen by your “friends” only.
• Don’t enter any personal information: address, phone number …
• Avoid uploading pictures of yourself or your relatives, let alone tagging them (with the name of the
persons on the photo).
• Protect the future privacy of your children…

facebook© addicts…

10.6 Private navigation within your browser

If you want to surf the Web without leaving traces on your computer, the latest versions of the Internet
navigators include a “private browsing” feature. This mode functions very simply: once launched, the
navigator does not keep the history of the visited sites, nor the cookies distributed by these sites, nor the
passwords entered during this “private” session.
However, the visited sites keep track of your IP address: you don’t navigate in an “anonymous” way.
For Firefox, click on the menu (3-dash button at the top right) then select the “New Private Window” option.

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 Firefox: open a new private window

Firefox in private mode

Note: it is very possible that some Internet sites do not function well if some cookies are disable. Thus, it
is best not to use this mode all the time.

10.7 Private navigation on Internet

Warning: private does not mean anonymous!

First avoid using non-free navigators, whose source codes cannot be analyzed by the first expert that
comes along. The non-free navigators (Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome …) can potentially spy on your
navigation without your knowledge.

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The main free navigator you can trust is Firefox.
The private navigation allows the removal of all navigation traces on your computer and can add
few more protections against the tracking. It cannot guarantee your anonymity when facing some
advanced tracking technology like the fingerprinting (https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Canvas_fingerprinting).
But Firefox, in its latest releases, can block the digital fingerprint trackers. Go to the top right “burger”
menu > Preferences > Privacy & Security tab. For more information : https://blog.mozilla.org/firefox/
how-to-block-fingerprinting-with-firefox/

Firefox: privacy & security

The two following Firefox extensions, can also make more difficult the tracking of your internet navigation,
by modifying you navigator “profile” on a regular basis :

• Chameleon https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/chameleon-ext/
• CanvasBlocker https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/canvasblocker/

The “NoScript Security Suite” extension blocks the “tracking” scripts by automaticallydisabling some spe-
cific scripts. But you must realize that this can generate a lot of problems with numerous internet pages.
To be reserved for the most seasoned! https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/
The Mozilla Foundation lists many modules to improve the safety of your Internet browsing. Do not
hesitate to consult the dedicated page: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/extensions/category/
privacy-security/.

10.7.1 Search engines

Stop doing like everyone else, even if supposedly “you have nothing to hide”.

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 • Do not make all your search requests on Google or Bing … even if they function very well,
you might not want these companies to keep for tens of year your web search on “solution against
hemorrhoids”, or even to sell this information to drug companies, your mutual insurance company …
• Use search engines respecting your privacy like Searx https://searx.space/, DuckDuckGo
(https://duckduckgo.com/) or QwantLite (https://lite.qwant.com/).
• Enhance your free navigators with extensions fighting against the leakage of your data.

10.8 Anonymous navigation on Internet

Torproject.org

If you want to become anonymous and mask completely your IP address, the best idea is to use TOR
(https://www.torproject.org/index.html). To achieve this, we are going to describe two methods: installa-
tion of the Tor-Browser, and the usage of the Tails anonymous distribution.

… What’s this Tor stuff ??

TOR stands for The Onion Router, and is a software allowing us to become anonymous on the net by
communicating with other TOR users. The principle is to define a random and indirect route on the net-
work, between you and the exit node, which makes impossible the tracking of your IP address.
In addition, the data circulating on the TOR network are encrypted, which makes even more difficult to
identify the flows, although they are spied on.
This functionality must not prevent you to keep some common sense … If you connect to an account,
whatever it might be, with your usual pseudo and password, you will be quickly identified, even if you use
TOR.

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10.8.1 Tor-Browser, an anonymous navigator

Debian offers the TorBrowser in its repository. The Tor navigator is not physically present in this Debian
repository, but it is rather a launcher which will fetch its latest version on the official site and verify the
package signature as well.
The torbrowser-launcher is available in the contrib section of the Debian repositories. To add this
section, use the chapter 8.1.4 method and modify your sources.list to get this result:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free-firmware

Once repositories modified, within a terminal in admin mode:

apt update
apt install torbrowser-launcher

Once this is done, we can initiate the TorBrowser download via the tor-browser-launcher (here on
Gnome-Shell) :

TorBrowser: launch installer

TorBrowser: download latest release

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 TorBrowser: downloading

TorBrowser: installing

TorBrowser: connecting to network

TorBrowser: loading relay information

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 TorBrowser

Note that Tor proposes its browser as a stand-alone archive (no need for backports repositories nor ad-
ministrative password). You can download the archive from the official website: https://www.torproject.
org/download/.
Decompress the downloaded archive, then navigate in the tree structure to the ./browser/start-tor-browser
file; click on it :). You must leave this directory in place, and “manually” launch the Tor navigator, or drag-
and-drop the “tor-browser.desktop” either on the desktop or within the task bar.

TorBrowser: install from the official site

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10.8.2 Tails: the anonymous distribution

Tails: the amnesic incognito live system

Tails is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian. It allows you to be totally anonymous on the net. It
is installed on a DVD or a USB key, and likewise using other Debian Live (autonomous) images, nothing is
saved on your DVD or USB key between two working sessions, and, in addition, you enjoy an anonymous
navigation on Internet.
On the main website, you can read …
Tails is a live (autonomous) operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a DVD, USB
stick, or SD card. It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity, and helps you to:

• use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship; all connections to the Internet are
forced to go through the Tor network;
• leave no trace on the computer you are using unless you ask it explicitly;
• use state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messaging.

For more information, you can visit the Tails download page https://tails.boum.org/install/download/index.
en.html.

Note that the TOR navigation is often slowed down, and that some sites or functionalities will not be
reachable, due to their embedded scripts or their “privacy” policies …
Is it the right time to sort out through all your bookmarks ?

“Plant onions!” by Péhä (CC-BY)

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10.8.3 Real anonymity??

No! You must be aware that internet browsing works thanks to a physical network of connected
machines. A person with physical access to the different “connection points” will be able to observe the
traffic and capture informations immediately, or to store this information for a further consultation.
In addition, computer monitoring is not the only way to identify you and your navigation: video surveillance
of public or private places, labeling of machines “for your safety ” are only examples of all the possibilities
of the authorities and companies to access your valuable data.
It is up to everyone to define his “private life” and not spread it on the web … Or to move on to more political
than technical considerations for the Privacy Protection .

Anonymous

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 Basic Command Memo

A shell to rule them all

Debian GNU/Linux systems have all the graphical applications needed to perform your daily tasks, so
why to use the command line?

• it’s faster,
• not all options are present in the graphical interfaces,
• using the command line without GUI saves resources,
• it makes learning the Debian GNU/Linux system easier.

This section gathers some basic commands. For a more complete list, visit the Debian documentation:
https://wiki.debian.org/ShellCommands.

11.1 Browse directories

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
pwd Print Working Directory
cd foo Change Directory to foo
cd Change Directory to /home/$USER or ~/
cd .. move up to the parent directory
ls foo List information about file(s) in foo
ls -a ls with hidden files displayed
ls -l ls with size and rights

221
11.2 Action on files or directories

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
mv source target move the file from source to target
cp source target copy the file from source to target
cp -R source target copy the directory source to target (recursively)
ln source link create a hard link from source to link
ln -s source link create a symbolic link from source to link
touch foo create the file foo or update its
modification date
mkdir dirA create the directory dirA
mkdir -p dirA/dirB mkdir with creation of parent directory if needed
rm foo remove file foo
rm -f file remove the write-protected file
rmdir dirA remove the empty directory dirA
rm -R dirB remove the directory dirB (recursively)
du -h file or dir display size of the file or the dir

11.3 View/Compare files

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
wc file Prints byte, word and line counts of file
cat file displays the contents of a file
more file displays file page by page. 'Space'=next page,
'Enter'=next line, 'u'=up
less file displays file with fine navigation
Left/Right/Up/Down/PageUp/PageDown
head -n x file displays 'x' first lines of file
tail -n x file displays 'x' last lines of file
tail -f file dynamicaly displays last line of file
diff file1 file2 Displays differences between two text files
diff -u file1 file2 Displays differences between file1 and file2 (patch syntax)
comp file1 file2 compares two binary files
comp file1 file2 n N compares file1 from the octet n and file2 from octet N

11.4 Users and groups

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
whoami Print the current user id and name
who Print all usernames currently logged in
id Print user and group id's (uid & gid)

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 id user Print user and group id's (root only)
finger user Print informations about user
write user Print a message on user's terminal
tty Print the current terminal's name
su - sudo Switch to administrator mode, superuser
passwd Change the password of the current user
adduser add a user
deluser delete a user
addgroup add a group
delgroup delete a group

11.5 Process

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
ps Process Status. Lists running process
ps ax Print all running processes
ps aux Print all process identified by users
pstree Print all process in a tree
top List processes running on the system in a
semi-graphical table
kill signal pid kill a process using its pid
pkill signal name kill a process using its name

Signals used by kill/pkill

#Signal #Mode #Action

#----------------------------------------------------------------------
-1 HUP Reload the process configuration file
-2 INT Interrupt the process
-3 QUIT Quit the process
-9 KILL Kill the process (to avoid, try '-15' first)
-15 TERM Complete the process properly
-18 STOP Freeze the process
-20 CONT Resume execution of a frozen process

11.6 Hardware

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
lsusb Lists connected USB devices
lspci Lists connected PCI devices
cat /proc/cpuinfo Displays processor information
cat /proc/partitions Displays mounted partitions
lspci | egrep "3D|Display|VGA" Display the graphics card model
lspci | grep -i "net" | cut -d: -f3 Show the Wifi card model

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 lspci | grep -i audio | cut -d: -f3 Show the soundcard model

11.7 Network

#Command #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname Print or set system name
ping machine Send a ping to a machine on the network
traceroute machine Displays a traceroute through machine
netstat Displays the use of the network by the processes
netstat -a Netstat with the display of the server processes
lsof Detailed list of file and network usage
ip address Displays the config of the interfaces
route Displays the routing table
curl ifconfig.me Displays public IP

Example: displays its locap IP on enp0s3

ip address show enp0s3 | grep "inet " | tr -s " " ":" | cut -d: -f3

11.8 Search

#Command/Option #Action
#----------------------------------------------------------------------
locate pattern Search for file with a pattern name
updatedb Update locate database
find path options Search for file corresponding to options in path
find -name pattern Search for file with a pattern
find -type f/d/l Search by filetype: f=file, d=directory, l=link
find -exec cmd Execute *cmd* on the found files

Example: search for all png files in the ‘Images’ directory, then copy all files to tmp directory (‘{}’ stands
for found files).

find $HOME/Images -name "*.png" -exec cp {} $HOME/tmp/ \;

11.9 Archives

#Format #Compress #Extract

#----------------------------------------------------------------------
.tar.bz2, .tbz2 tar -cvjf archive.tar.bz2 directory tar xvjf
.tar.gz, .tgz tar -cvzf archive.tar.gz directory tar xvzf
.bz2 bzip2 file bunzip2

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 .rar - unrar x
.gz gzip file gunzip
.tar tar -cvf archive.tar files tar xvf
.zip zip -r archive.zip files unzip
.Z compress files uncompress
.7z 7z a files 7z x
.xz xz -z directory unxz

11.10 Kernel

Version of the Linux kernel used, its name, the version of the compiler used:

cat /proc/version

Version of the Linux kernel used:

uname -r

List all kernels installed on your machine:

dpkg -l | egrep "linux-(header|image)"

11.11 Links and references

• Dedicated page on Debian-Facile (fr): https://debian-facile.org/doc:systeme:commandes:gnu_linux

• Dedicated Debian documentation: https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch01.
html
• Commands list: https://www.epons.org/commandes-base-linux.php
• Commands list on Debian wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/ShellCommands

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 Free Software directory

You can find hereafter a list of the sites providing more detailed information concerning the Free Culture
(in general) and the Free Software (in particular).

12.1 The web sites

12.1.1 Free Software Foundation

https://www.fsf.org/
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a non-profit organization with a worldwide mission to promote
computer user freedom. We defend the rights of all software users.
Free software developers guarantee everyone equal rights to their programs; any user can study the
source code, modify it, and share the program. By contrast, most software carries fine print that denies
users these basic rights, leaving them susceptible to the whims of its owners and vulnerable to surveil-
lance.

12.1.2 The GNU project

https://www.gnu.org/
Philosophy of the GNU Project: Free software means that the software’s users have freedom. (The issue
is not about price.) We developed the GNU operating system so that users can have freedom in their
computing experience.
Specifically, free software means users have the four essential freedoms: (0) to run the program, (1) to
study and change the program source code, (2) to redistribute exact copies, and (3) to distribute modified
versions.
Software differs from material objects — such as chairs, sandwiches, and gasoline — in that it can be
copied and changed much more easily. These facilities are why software is useful; we believe a program’s
user should be free to take advantage of them, not solely its developer.

226
12.1.3 The Linux Foundation

https://www.linuxfoundation.org/
The Linux Foundation partners with the world’s leading developers and companies to solve the hardest
technology problems and to accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption.
Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training, and events to scale any open
source project, which by teaming all together delivers an economic impact not achievable by any other
company.

12.1.4 ./Play.it

This site is dedicated to one goal: to twist the neck to the most persistent rumor about GNU/Linux.
Of course I alm talking about: “Your linusque there, it sucks, there is no game which can run on it!”.
./play.it is a libre software that automates the build of native packages for multiple distributions from DRM-
free installers for commercial games. The generated packages are then installed using the standard tools
provided by the distribution.
Native Linux games are supported, as well as games developed for other systems, thanks to tools like
WINE, DOSBox and ScummVM.
More detailed descriptions, including installation and usage instructions, are available in the documenta-
tion of the main distributions we support: Debian, Gentoo, Ubuntu (in French only).
Other distributions like Arch Linux are supported, as well as derivatives of these distributions like Manjaro
or Linux Mint.
If your games are anything that still keeps you from getting rid of your dual-boot with Windows, the end of
the tunnel is not that far away!
Homepage : https://legacy.dotslashplay.it/
Supported games list: https://forge.dotslashplay.it/play.it/games

12.2 The Wikimedia Foundation

You all know Wikipedia the free on-line encyclopedia.

But actually Wikipedia is part of a large family, under the benevolent umbrella of the Wikimedia Foundation
The Wikimedia Foundation is a global movement whose mission is to bring free educational content to
the world. Quoting the foundation home page :

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“Imagine a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. That’s
our commitment.”. https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home

12.2.1 Wikipedia

wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://www.wikipedia.org/

Wikipedia is an universal, multilingual encyclopedia, written and maintained by volunteers on the Internet,
and functioning under the Wiki principle.

12.2.2 Wikimedia

wikimedia commons, the multimedia library https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Wikimedia Commons, which is often refereed to as Commons, is a media file repository making available
public domain and freely-licensed educational media content (images, sound and video clips) to everyone,
in their own language.

12.2.3 Wiktionary

wikitionnary, the dictionary https://en.wiktionary.org/

Wikitionary was initially designed as the lexical companion to Wikipedia, the encyclopedia project, Wik-
tionary has grown beyond a standard dictionary and now includes a thesaurus, a rhyme guide, phrase
books, language statistics and extensive appendices. We aim to include not only the definition of a word,
but also enough information to really understand it. Thus etymologies, pronunciations, sample quotations,
synonyms, antonyms and translations are included.

12.2.4 Wikiquote

wikiquote, the free quote compendium https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Main_Page

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The Wikiquote collaborative project, is a free online compendium of sourced quotations from notable
people and creative works in every language, translations of non-English quotes, and links to Wikipedia
for further information.

12.2.5 Wikisource

wikisource, the free library https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Main_Page

Wikisource is a project to create a growing free content library of source texts, as well as translations of
source texts in any language. This work is done by voluntary contributors.
Some things Wikisource includes are: Source texts previously published by any author, Translations of
original texts, Historical documents of national or international interest, Bibliographies of authors whose
works are in Wikisource.
Some basic criteria for texts excluded from Wikisource are: Copyright infringements, Original writings
by a contributor to the project, Mathematical data, formulae, and tables, Source code (for computers),
Statistical source data (such as election results).
Unless otherwise noted, all user contributions to Wikisource are released under the Creative Commons
Attribution/Share-Alike License (CC-BY-SA) (replacing the previously used GNU Free Documentation
License).

12.2.6 Wikibooks

Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection https://fr.wikibooks.org/wiki/Accueil

Wikibooks is a collection of open-content textbooks. Wikibooks is for textbooks, annotated texts, instruc-
tional guides, and manuals. These materials can be used in a traditional classroom, an accredited or
respected institution, a home-school environment, as part of a Wikiversity course, or for self-learning.

12.2.7 Wikijuniors

wikijuniors, the free textbooks for children https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior

Wikijunior produces non-fiction books for children from birth to age twelve. These books could take the
form of macropedias, textbooks, or primers. These Wikijunior books are written with children in mind. The
subjects of these books are chosen because they are appealing to kids. These books are richly illustrated
with photographs, diagrams, sketches, and original drawings.

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12.2.8 Vikidia

vikidia, the free encyclopedia for children https://en.vikidia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Vikidia is an English encyclopedic project, based on wiki technology, for 8-13 year-old readers and
contributors, but not only.
The website is independent from Wikimedia Foundation which owns Wikipedia. It was launched in
November 2006 in French and in 2013 in English. Vikidia is handled by the Association Vikidia, a
non-profit-organization located in France.

12.2.9 Wikiversity

Wikiversity, the open learning community https://www.wikiversity.org/

Wikiversity is a Wikimedia Foundation project devoted to learning resources, learning projects, and re-
search for use in all levels, types, and styles of education from pre-school to university, including profes-
sional training and informal learning.
Teachers, students, and researchers are invited to join Wikiversity in creating open educational resources
and collaborative learning communities.

12.2.10 Wikispecies

wikispecies, the free species directory https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Wikispecies is a wiki-based on-line project supported by the Wikimedia Foundation. Its aim is to create a
comprehensive free content catalog of all species; the project is directed at scientists, rather than at the
general public. Wikispecies is available under the GNU Free Documentation License and CC BY-SA 3.0.

12.2.11 Wikivoyage

wikivoyage, the free travel guide https://www.wikivoyage.org/

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Wikivoyage is a free web-based travel guide for travel destinations and travel topics written by volunteer
authors (“Wiki-travelers” from all around the world). It is a sister project of Wikipedia and supported and
hosted by the same non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Wikivoyage has been called the “Wikipedia of travel
guides”.

12.2.12 Wikinews

wikinews, the free news source https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page

Wikinews is a free-content news source Wiki and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. The site works
through collaborative journalism. Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has distinguished Wikinews from
Wikipedia by saying “on Wikinews, each story is to be written as a news story as opposed to an encyclo-
pedia article.” The neutral point of view policy espoused in Wikinews distinguishes it from other citizen
journalism efforts. In contrast to most projects of the Wikimedia Foundation, Wikinews allows original
work under the form of original reporting and interviews.

12.2.13 Wikidata

wikidata, the free and open knowledge base https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:Main_Page

Wikidata is a collaboratively edited knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. It is intended
to provide a common source of data which can be used by Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, and
by anyone else, under a public domain license. This is similar to the way Wikimedia Commons provides
storage for media files and access to those files for all Wikimedia projects, and which are also freely
available for reuse. Wikidata is powered by the software Wikibase.
This project was launched by Wikimedia Deutschland. It was presented during the Semantic Tech &
Business Conference in February 2012, and the site was open to the first contributions on 30 October
2012.

12.2.14 Wiki Meta-wiki

wikimedia Meta-wiki, the global community site for the Wikimedia projects https://meta.
wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Meta (or Wikimedia’s Meta-Wiki) is a wiki-based web site that is auxiliary for coordination of all the
Wikimedia Foundation projects.
Meta currently serves as one of the major avenues of discussion for Wikimedians including Wikipedians,
the others being the mailing lists, the IRC channels, and the talk pages of individual articles and users.

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Meta is an independent and autonomous project from the English language Wikipedia and thus has its
own policies and customs, which often differ from those here.
Originally focused on the English language version of Wikipedia, Meta has, since its upgrade to
Wikipedia’s custom MediaWiki software, become a multilingual discussion forum used by all Wikimedia
language communities.

12.2.15 Wiki-incubator

wikimedia incubator, where possible new languages for existing projects are tested https://
incubator.wikimedia.org/wiki/Incubator:Main_Page
The Wikimedia Incubator founded on 2 June 2006, is a wiki-based website hosted by the Wikimedia
Foundation. It serves as a platform where anyone can build up a community in a certain language edition
of a Wikimedia project (Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Wikibooks, Wikinews, Wikiquote and Wikivoyage) that
does not yet have its own sub-domain, provided that it is a recognized language.
This is where potential Wikimedia project Wikis in new language versions can be arranged, written, tested
and proven worthy of being hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation.

12.2.16 MediaWiki

mediawiki, a free software open source Wiki package, supporting all the Wikimedia projects
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki
MediaWiki is free server-based software, licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). It’s
designed to run on a large server farm for a website that gets millions of hits per day.

12.3 The GNU/Linux distributions

12.3.1 Debian

Debian, the universal operating system, aka the “Mother” of numerous children distributions https://www.
debian.org/index.en.html
By the way, Debian provides more than a pure OS: it comes with over 43000 packages, precompiled
software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.

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Debian is also a democratic community organization, which aims at the development of operating systems
exclusively based on free software.

12.3.2 Emmabuntüs

Emmabuntüs (https://emmabuntus.org) a distro for all seasons.

Emmabuntüs is a distribution designed to facilitate the refurbishing of computers given to humanitarian
associations, in particular the Emmaüs community (https://www.emmaus-international.org/en/) (hence,
the name of the distribution), to help the discovery of the GNU/Linux world by beginners, and limit the
the electronic wastes generated by the hardware overconsumption, by extending the lifespan of aging
computers.

12.3.3 Mageia

Mageia (https://www.mageia.org) is a free operating system, based on GNU/Linux. It is a community

project (https://www.mageia.org/en/community/), supported by an association law 1901 consisting of
elected contributors.
The goal of Mageia: to make superb tools for people. Beyond a secure, stable and sustainable operating
system for your computers, the goal is to establish stable and credible governance to coordinate collabo-
rative projects.
Contributions are based on their own license (https://www.mageia.org/en/about/license/) and the commu-
nity complies with a Code of Conduct (https://www.mageia.org/en/about/code-of-conduct).
Mageia has an active community and detailed documentation. https://www.mageia.org/en/support/

12.3.4 Fedora

Fedora (https://getfedora.org/) is a polished, easy to use operating system for laptop and desktop com-
puters, with a complete set of tools for developers and makers of all kinds.
Fedora comes with a “Server” release, a powerful, flexible operating system that includes the best and
latest datacenter technologies. It puts you in control of all your infrastructure and services.

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12.3.5 Entirely free distributions

https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.fr.html
This page lists the GNU/Linux distributions that are entirely free as in freedom.
The Free Software Foundation seems quite tough in what concerns the real freedom … But can we put
the blame on an organization which is seeking a situation that should be commonplace.

12.4 Free software alternatives to proprietary software

• Equivalence between proprietary software: A list of free alternatives proposing functionali-

ties close to those of proprietary software, well established in their application domain. This list
is far to be comprehensive, and does not have the goal to spotlight particular software, but rather
to present different (proprietary or free) software within the same application domain. https://wiki.
linuxquestions.org/wiki/Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_software

• The Free Software Directory: FSD, or simply Directory is a project of the Free Software Founda-
tion (FSF). We catalog useful free software that runs under free operating systems — particularly
the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants. https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page

12.5 Compatible hardware

h.node: This project aims at the construction of a hardware database in order to identify what devices
work with a fully free operating system. The h-node.org website is structured like a Wiki in which all the
users can modify or insert new contents. The h-node project is developed in collaboration and as an
activity of the Free Software Foundation (FSF).
https://h-node.org/home/index/en

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 Glossary

13.1 A

13.1.1 Administrator

=> With great power comes great responsibility…

The administrator is a person in the IT department who is responsible for managing the company server.
He takes care of the system updates, verifies its proper functioning, creates new accounts, sets permis-
sions and configures file sharing, emails, backups, security scheme …
On a computer for private use, the administrator is the one who has the system management rights: in
this case, yourself.

13.1.2 ADSL

ADSL means broadband Internet. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is practically deployed
throughout most of the industrial countries and allows you to take advantage of speeds up to 30 Megabit-
s/s, which permits you to watch videos, download files and navigate the Web very easily.

13.1.3 ALSA

ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) is a Linux kernel module which gather the functionalities of
several different sound drivers into one. It is used to detect sound cards whatever they are; it is very
popular and very efficient. It greatly simplifies the sound management on Linux and is often updated.

13.1.4 Apt

Apt (Advanced Packaging Tool) is the Debian package manager using the .deb package formats. There
are graphical interfaces like Synaptic for those who are not comfortable with the typing of command lines
in the the terminal window.

13.1.5 Aptitude

Aptitude is an alternative to Apt. It offers other options such as the construction of dependency tree, update
of package status and many others. While Apt does not care about broken packages on your system,
Aptitude will try to repair them during the next update or upgrade, by presenting alternative solutions as

235
well as their consequences and let you decide what to do about them.
Finally, it is also interesting to see the behavior of Aptitude when removing software: it computes useless
dependencies and deletes them. On the other end, Apt does only what you clearly ask for.

13.1.6 Arobase @

The “at” symbol ‘@’ is small “a” with a circle curling around it. It is used to form email addresses
(e.g. user@isp.com). This symbol is not used in the web addresses, but only for electronic mail
addresses.

13.1.7 Audio Format

An Audio format is a data format used to represent sounds, music and voices in digital form, with the
purpose of either store or transport them.

13.1.8 Autonomy

Autonomy is the time that a battery enables a mobile unit to operate without having to be recharged by an
electric outlet. The autonomy of a laptop is of few hours and that a mobile phone of few days, in theory.

13.2 B

13.2.1 Beast

Computer name when it’s big and powerful.

13.2.2 BIOS

BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is the software (firmware) embedded on the
motherboard which allows you to perform basic tasks when you turn the computer on (e.g. read one sector
of a hard disk).

13.2.3 Boot manager

This is the program that launches at startup, allowing the choice of booting the computer with one among
several operating systems. The most popular, Lilo and Grub are usually installed in the MBR (Master
Boot Record) or the GPT (GUID Partition Table) of the hard drive. Although Windows has a similar piece
of software, it is more difficult to use, when implementing a dual-boot Linux/Windows (for example), than
using Grub.

13.2.4 Browser

Software used to surf the Web.

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13.2.5 Bug

A bug is an unwanted operation in a computer or a computer program. We are talking about bugs when
the software does not do what you asked, whenb it stops working, or when it does something weird or
shutdown suddently…

13.3 C

13.3.1 C

The computer language (following the A and B languages) which has become one of the most widely used
programming languages of all times.

13.3.2 C++

An evolution of the C programming language. Warning: C+ does not exist!

13.3.3 Chat

Live chat rooms on the Internet are spaces where you share information via text with a group of other
users. The ability to converse with multiple people in the same conversation differentiates chat rooms
from instant messaging programs, which are more typically designed for one-to-one communication.

13.3.4 Click

A click is the action of pressing and releasing (almost) immediately one of the mouse buttons. An unspec-
ified “click” actually means a “left-click”.

13.3.5 Client/Server

Common type of architecture on the Internet and more generally in computer science: A server contains
information, clients connect to it and submit a request. Corresponding treatments are performed by the
server and the results are sent back and displayed on the client computer. The Web is a good example
of client/server application.

13.3.6 Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is concept gaining wide acceptance: rather than installing a program on our computer,
which is going to take some space, the current trend is to do the work online, without the need to download
the software. This is a way to do office work with Google Docs without installing anything on the computer,
a browser is enough.

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13.3.7 Code (to)

to write a program, or to speak the “machine language” (no, it does not mean “make a beep beep beep
sound” …).

13.3.8 Code (Source)

The source code is the text file written by the software developer, which can be understood by the compiler
and transformed into a directly executable program. Some source codes are freely available to developers
in particular in the context of free software.

13.3.9 Compile (to)

Start a command that converts source code into an executable program.

13.3.10 Console

Also named terminal, it is (or not) a graphical window giving access to the shell interpreter allowing you
to type command lines to be executed.

13.3.11 Cookie(s)

Files sent by some websites and stored on your hard drive. On subsequent connections, your computer
let the Web site retrieve the data that you previously entered. Cookies can only be read by the website that
issued them and may contain only data that the user voluntarily provided to the site, or that can be retrieved
from the connection itself (source IP address, etc). They can not read the disks contents nor contain an
executable program. You can set your browser to reject cookies, but you lose then an interesting usability
(like storing your preferences or passwords).

13.3.12 Copy and paste

Copy and paste represents the action of duplicating a file from one location to another. The file is cloned
into a new destination. The copy-paste operation is done, for example, by right-clicking on a selected file
and choosing the “Copy” action, and then right-clicking in the destination folder and choosing the “Paste”
action. The keyboard shortcuts for these two actions are the popular [Ctrl]+‘c’ and [Ctrl]+‘v’.

13.3.13 Core dump

A program crashing under Unix has the effect of copying its entire memory contents into a file named
“core”. Not a good news … but becoming seldom these days.

13.3.14 Cut and paste

Cut and paste, moves a file without duplicating it: the file will no longer exists in its original location, but
only in its destination. The keyboard shortcuts for these actions are [Ctrl]+X and [Ctrl]+V.

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13.3.15 Cursor

=> arrow, which you have a hard time to follow the moves on the screen…
The cursor is following on the screen the movements of your mouse. Often symbolized by a slanted arrow
cursor, it lets you point an element: an icon, a menu, a button to click on in order to activate a function.

13.4 D

13.4.1 Debian

=> The mommy of many distributions

Debian is a community and a democratic organization whose purpose is the development of operating
systems based exclusively on free software.
Debian differs from most of the distributions based on it by its non-commercial nature and the cooperative
governance of the association managing the distribution.

13.4.2 Dependencies

It is said that there is a dependency, when a package depends on another one to be installed and/or to
run smoothly.

13.4.3 Desktop Environment

In the Unix world, a DE is a set of programs that provide a user friendly graphical interface to the operating
system. It usually consists of a window manager and a lot of software that fit well with the environment,
first and foremost file managers, control panels, web browsers, text and image editors, games, and even
office and messaging suites.

13.4.4 Device

A device is a piece of hardware that is connected to a computer. USB key, keyboard, mouse, printer …
are all devices.

13.4.5 Dialog

A dialog box is a small window that appears when the system or an application wants you to make a
choice. You must therefore read the message and click the button that corresponds to your choice (Yes
or No, Save or Cancel, …).

13.4.6 Distribution

Distribution is a GNU/Linux system with a collection of software, which forms a complete operating system,
ranging from the command line up to the graphical environment. The goal is to put together a stable and
coherent set of software aiming at a particular audience. Distribution provides different tools to easily

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obtain and install the software.
Some distributions are commercial, that is to say, manufactured and distributed by companies, which
adhere, more or less, to the free software spirit. Others, only developed by volunteers, are completely
free.

13.4.7 Drag and drop

Drag and drop is the action of moving the cursor on an icon, pressing and holding a mouse button, moving
the mouse cursor to another location, and then releasing the button: the selected file follows the mouse
and moves directly into this new location.

13.5 E

13.5.1 Email

An email can be written in plain text or in HTML format. In the HTML case, some text embellishments
are possible (bold, color, image, tables) but some mail client software (increasingly rare) do not read
messages in HTML format.

13.5.2 Ergonomics

Ergonomics refers to the ease of handling, understanding and using an equipment (e.g. a phone, a soft-
ware or a website). More ergonomic it is, and faster the end user will master it. An ergonomic system is
intuitive.

13.6 F

13.6.1 File Manager

A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides an user interface to work with file
systems. The most common operations performed on files or groups of files include creating, opening
(e.g. viewing, playing, editing or printing), renaming, moving or copying, deleting and searching for files,
as well as modifying file attributes, properties and file permissions. Folders and files may be displayed
in a hierarchical tree based on their directory structures. Some file managers contain features inspired
by web browsers, including forward and backward navigational buttons. Some file managers provide
network connectivity.

13.6.2 File system

A file system (FS) , represents the way data are organized in a disk partition. GNU/Linux has its own FS,
called ext2, ext3, ext4, ReiserFS, btrfs … and handles a multitude of file systems from other architectures,
including FAT , VFAT (ie FAT32), NTFS (DOS/Windows file systems), ISO 9660, etc.
A file system is called “journalized” when it keeps a record (log) of the operations being performed, and

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then saves them on the disk.
These types of file systems (for example ext3/4 or Reiserfs and also NTFS) are more tolerant to system
crashes because they keep the system consistent (no need anymore to use fsck or scandisk at start-up).

13.6.3 Firewall

The firewall is a software protection located at the entry point of a computer, or a local network, to prevent
intrusions from the outside. It controls the inputs and outputs and transmits only the authorized signals.

13.6.4 Firmware

A firmware is a program used to connect smart devices (hard drive, DVD burner, scanner, ADSL modem)
to your computer. It is written in the language understood by the electronic device. We can compare
the firmware of a device to the BIOS of a computer. It is responsible for initializing the device and then
executes the commands received from more advanced programs.

13.6.5 Fonts

A font represents a range of characters with a particular size, weight and style of a typeface.

13.6.6 Fork

It is often used in a figurative sense to designate a “branch” or a “differentiation” from a common root. It
is often through this differentiation process that new Linux distributions emerge. More precisely the whole
idea is to take a basic known kernel or program, to modify it according to some purpose and to redistribute
it.

13.6.7 FTP

File Transfer Protocol. Protocol used to transfer files over the Internet. Also the name of the program
implementing this protocol. It is necessary to have a specialized program in order to access the FTP
servers (Example: Filezilla)

13.7 G

13.7.1 Geek

Although the word may have a broader connotation, a geek is a computer enthusiast, usually passionate
about other subjects (e.g. science fiction) and generally curious. Geek does not mean technology ob-
sessed: geek do not like to only use the technology, they love to understand how that works and they do
have a critical mind.

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13.7.2 Graphics card

The graphics card is a component of the central unit responsible for the on-screen display. Powerful
graphics cards also handle the rendering of 3D displays (for video games). The main manufacturers of
graphics cards are Nvidia and ATI.

13.7.3 GUI

The graphical user interface refers to how the software is presented on the screen to the user. It is the
positioning of the elements: menus, buttons, features in the window. A well defined graphical interface is
ergonomic and intuitive: designed in such a smart way that the user understands it immediately.

13.7.4 Gnome

GNOME stands for GNU Network Object Model Environment. It is a user friendly free graphical environ-
ment which goal is to make the GNU operating system usage available to the greatest number of people.
This interface is currently very popular on the GNU/Linux systems and runs also on most of the UNIX-like
systems.

13.7.5 GNU

The GNU project (“GNU’s not Unix”) is a community initiated in 1983 by Richard Stallman to create a free
alternative to the Unix operating system.
GNU is particularly known in the software world because it made major contributions such as the de-
velopment of the GNU compiler collection (GCC), the improvements of existing Unix commands or the
definition of the free GNU General Public License (GPL).
GNU has also worked on a kernel called HURD, but ultimately it is Linux which emerged and became the
kernel enabling the usage of all the other bricks of the project.

13.8 H

13.8.1 Hack or Trick

An inelegant but effective solution to a computing problem. Sometime also called a workaround.

13.8.2 Hard Drive

The hard (disk) drive is an important component of a computer. It is the computer shed, since its role is to
store data. The hard drive contains partitions that contain your installed system and your personal data
=> note : Soft Drive does not exist …

13.8.3 Hardware

The collection of physical elements that comprise a computer system (the beast, cards, chips, drives,
processor, etc.), as opposed to the Software part.

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13.8.4 High Definition

High Definition is the successor of the television set as we knew it before. HDTV is a television sys-
tem providing an audio quality and an image resolution which are substantially higher than those of a
standard-definition television. The difference is really obvious. Video games (PS3 and Xbox360) and
Blu-Ray (successor to the DVD) also benefit from this technology. However you will need some money
and compatible hardware to enjoy it (compatible HDTV set, HDMI cable, Blu-Ray player …).

13.8.5 HDMI

HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI is a standard for connecting together High
Definition devices. It is replacing the Scart socket. You can connect a Blu-Ray player for example to an
HDTV with an HDMI cable, and even a PS3 or a Xbox 360.

13.9 I

13.9.1 Icon

An icon is a pictogram, accompanied by a name, representing an element: folder, file, software, shortcut …
clicking on an icon will launch a predefined action: open the file, launch the software, display the content…

13.9.2 IM

IM stands for Instant Messaging, and refers to a software where you can communicate directly (or chat)
with friends and family, possibly share files, using the microphone to talk and the webcam to see each
others. Unlike a chat, instant messaging lets you talk with some people of your contact list, and not just
anyone on the web.

13.9.3 Internet

Internet includes all interconnected (wired and wireless) networks in the world and their associated web-
sites. With an Internet access, you can visit all the websites of the world in one click, listen to music,
communicate, watch videos, learn … let it be from your computer, your tablet or your smart phone.

13.9.4 IN/OUT

Inputs/Outputs (or I/O) characterize the exchange of information between the processor and its associated
devices. In practice, within an operating system, the inputs are the keyboard, the mouse, the disks, the
incoming data from the network. When the outputs are the screen, the disks, the printer, the outgoing
data to the network etc …

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13.9.5 IP Address

Single address across the Internet network, to uniquely identify a machine. It is usually represented by a
group of four numbers. If your computer is connected to the Internet, it has an IP address that is usually
provided at the beginning of the connection by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

13.9.6 ISP

Internet Service Providers which let you enjoy Internet. Each of them provides an interface allowing you
to connect to the Internet, to have an unlimited land-line phone and even access to digital TV programs.

13.9.7 IRC

Internet Relay Chat. Discussion System in real time on the Internet. There are several IRC networks
themselves divided into “channels” themes.

13.10 J

13.10.1 Java

Multi-platform programming language by Sun. The principle is that a program written once in Java can
run on any computer as long as it has the specific runtime environment called “Java Virtual Machine”.
This converts Java virtual machine instructions into specific instructions to your computer while requiring
it to meet certain safety rules.
Java programs can be embedded within web pages, and in that case they are executed while the container
page is being displayed. They are named Applet.
You should be extremely careful, because Java applet can be used as malware on your computer.

13.10.2 JPEG

graphics file format producing an impressive compression ratios compared to previously defined formats,
but at the expense of the image quality. Actually, the compression method is usually lossy, meaning that
some original image information are lost and cannot be restored, possibly affecting image quality. The
corresponding file extension is JPG.

13.11 K

13.11.1 Kernel

The core of an operating system, or simply the kernel, is one (if not the most) important part of the sys-
tem. It manages the computer resources and allows different components - hardware and software - to
communicate with each other.

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13.11.2 Keyboard Shortcut

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys pressed simultaneously on the keyboard to perform a specific
action on the computer. The most commonly used keyboard shortcuts are for saving ([Ctrl] + s), to copying
([Ctrl] + c), pasting ([Ctrl] + v), or closing a window ([Alt] + F4) …

13.11.3 Kiss

The KISS principle, “Keep it Simple Stupid”, is a method which advocates seeking simplicity in design
and avoiding unnecessary complexity. Example: Give me a KISS.

13.12 L

13.12.1 Lag (to)

Run … very … slowly. Lagging like a snail.

13.12.2 Live CD

A live CD (or a live USB key) is a bootable medium. The system starts booting the computer and then
runs the OS without installation. It actually uses the volatile memory (RAM) to run, and does not affect the
permanent memory (hard disk).

13.12.3 Free Software

“Free Software” is a concept of free applications and operating systems, whose source codes are left open
by the developers, in order for everybody to inspect and improve them. One example is the GNU/Linux
initiative which regroups free and gratis operating systems like Debian, but also the LibreOffice suite, the
free alternative to Microsoft™ Office, or Firefox and Chromium the free alternatives to Microsoft™ Internet
Explorer.

13.12.4 Long (it’s not gonna be)

Sentence used by the computer people to say that they still have 2 hours to finish (the time to compile,
test, fix, compile, test, fix, compile …)

13.13 M

13.13.1 Mail

mail refers to a letter sent by Internet via email software (e.g. Icedove). The mails are free, usually limited
to 10MB, which can be accompanied by attachments (images, documents …) and sent to recipient(s) (At
:) and potentially people in copy (CC :). Unwanted mails are called junk or spam.

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13.13.2 Memory card

A memory card is a small device able to permanently store digital data, likewise a USB key. The memory
card is intended to be plugged into digital cameras or camcorders. It can store photos and movies, and
can be read back by computer featuring a memory card slot. Among the most popular formats, we find the
MemoryStick card for Sony devices, and SD for most others. A recent memory card can store thousands
of photos.

13.13.3 Motherboard

The motherboard is the main component of the CPU. Its role is to centralize and process all the data
exchanged between the processor and the peripherals. The motherboard therefore manages the hard
disk, the CD/DVD drive, the keyboard, the mouse, the network, the various USB ports …

13.14 N

13.14.1 No Life

Nolife is an insane geek or nerd so passionate by his computer activity that he/she spends all his time
with his/her passion neglecting everything else and in consequence has no (or very few) social life. No
comment …

13.14.2 Noob

The “Noob” term (derived from “newbie” or novice) refers to a computer novice. It is not necessarily a
pejorative term.

13.14.3 Notification Area

The notification area is usually located at the right of the taskbar. You can usually find in there, the time, the
network indicator, the sound volume. This is where the messages appear when the system has something
to tell you (e.g. the battery is running empty, updates are available …)

13.15 O

13.15.1 Operating System

This is the set of software that manages the computer hardware and provides common services for the
application programs. By extension, it is also viewed as the main interface with the end users.
Some examples of operating systems : GNU/Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD.

13.15.2 OS

Operating System.

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13.16 P

13.16.1 Package Manager

A package manager is the software which installs, updates and uninstalls the system packages. On
Debian, Synaptic is the graphical front-end of the APT Debian package manager.

13.16.2 Partition

To use certain media such as hard disks, we need to structure them, to break them down into rather
large subsets: partitions. In turn, each partition is then structured as a separate file system. Splitting a
hard drive into multiple partitions allows, for example, the coexistence, on the same disk, of two different
operating systems like GNU/Linux and Windows, which use different file systems.

13.16.3 Phishing

Phishing is a scam practice which tricks an user by sending him an email with a forged sender address
and including a link to a fake website mimicking its bank site, or an e-commerce site, and asking him to
update its information … If the user get trapped (or phished) then his sensitive information (private data,
bank account details, …) can be used to evil ends.

13.16.4 Pixel

a Pixel is the smallest controllable element of a picture represented on the screen. A pixel can display one
color at a time. Thus the screen is composed with million of these pixels, spread in both directions (height
and width), and they come together to form the screen image. A pixel is so small that you can barely see
it with the naked eye. The more pixels compose an image and the sharper it is.

13.16.5 Plugin

A plugin is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. Allowing
for example a web browser to read more image, video, animation or sound formats. Sometimes also
called “add-on”.

13.16.6 PS/2 Port

PS/2 port represents a couple of plugs located in the rear of the system unit. The purple plug connects
the keyboard, while the green one connects the mouse.
Having said that, we should mention that the PS/2 port is not used very often these days and replaced
by the universal USB ports. One of the big disadvantage of this port is that it is not a hot-plug : a device
connected after the computer startup won’t be recognized.

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13.16.7 Processor

The processor, also named Central Processing Unit (CPU), is the electronic circuitry within a computer
that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control
and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions.
In particular, it handles the data exchanges between the various components of the system (hard drive,
memory, mouse, graphics card …) and performs all the computation needed to interact with the you
through the data displayed on the screen.
There is also the Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) which is a special component of the graphics card which
accelerates the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display.

13.17 Q

13.17.1 Queue

Used in the sense of “waiting in line”. For example different files to be printed are put first in the printer
spool queue.

13.17.2 Quit (to)

Terminate the execution of a program. Example : give me a pay raise or a quit my job.

13.18 R

13.18.1 RAM

RAM stands for Random-Access Memory. It is the computer volatile data storage. Its major advantage is
the speed at which one can read from or write to it, as opposed to other direct access data storage media
where the time required to read and write data items varies, depending on their locations and/or some
mechanical limitations such as the media rotation speeds and arm movement delays.

13.18.2 Right-click

A right-click is the action of pressing and releasing (almost) immediately the mouse right button. A right-
click will display a contextual menu corresponding to the pointed element. In particular, it allows to copy,
move, delete and rename the pointed element when it is a file or a folder.

13.18.3 RTFM

Means “Read The Fucking Manual”. This is an abbreviation that is thrown wildly at the head of someone
asking a question, to encourage him to do first his home work in reading the documentation.
This is because people sometimes ask trivial questions, whose answers are readily available in the man
pages or on the Internet, and often these people are not used to the power of the documentation in the
Unix world.

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13.19 S

13.19.1 Search Engine

A search engine is a large software system, hosted by a website and which is designed to search for
information on the World Wide Web. It lets you ask questions or type some key words to be searched for.
The engine will then return the most relevant results.

13.19.2 Shortcut

A shortcut is an icon placed anywhere and providing a quick access to a software or a location on your
computer. Most of the time a shortcut is used to launch a program. Deleting a shortcut does not uninstall
the program it is associated with, and does not delete either the linked file.

13.19.3 Software

Everything that makes a computer running, except the hardware part. Applications are software, for ex-
ample.

13.20 T

13.20.1 Tab/Tabulation

Generally present in modern Internet browsers, tabs allow to browse multiple sites simultaneously. To
switch from one site to another, you just have to click on its corresponding tab. Tabs are represented like
tabs in a workbook.

13.20.2 Terminal

We call a terminal, the command line console which is available and essential in all GNU/Linux distribu-
tions.
Even though many GUIs are available for virtually any application, nothing is more efficient, for example,
than updating your entire system by typing one single command line.
Note : a terminal is a very useful tool to debug a program.

13.20.3 Troll

In the world of Usenet, forums of all kinds, mailing lists, IRC, and all these places open to online dis-
cussions, a troll is a person who sows discord by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting
inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional
response. By extension the subject of the argument itself.
Known examples : “GNU/Linux or Windows”, “Women in Free Software”.

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13.21 U

13.21.1 Unit (Central)

For a desktop, the central unit is the box containing all the electronic equipment that allows the computer
to operate. The Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers etc. are all connected to it. The hard disk drive is
located in this central unit, for example.
For a laptop, there is no Central Unit. All the electronic components are grouped under the Keyboard.

13.21.2 Unix

Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer OS. The original Unix system was developed in 1969. Several
versions were created later on, and today, GNU/Linux is taking its inspiration from this family and contin-
ues with the same philosophy.
Unix systems are characterized by a modular design that is sometimes called the “Unix philosophy,”
meaning that the OS provides a set of tools, each of which performing a well-defined function, and an
unified file system to perform complex work-flows.
The main Unixes (or Unices) are : the BSD family (NetBSD, FreeBSD, OpenBSD), AIX, Solaris, HP-UX,
Mac Os X.

13.21.3 Update

An update is a new version of a program that fix a problem existing in its the previous version. The update
may fix a security hole, add a new functionality, solve an algorithm error …

13.21.4 URL

The URL (Uniform Ressource Locator) points to the address of a website like “https://www.debian.org”.
By typing an URL in the browser address bar, you go directly to the desired site, without having to go
through a search engine. You never need to type the %%“https://www.”%% address header, simply
enter “debian.org”.

13.21.5 USB

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is the cable with a rectangular connector that wants to be universal:
almost all current hardware devices are connected to your computer via USB. Computers now have USB
ports on the back, on the front of the Central Unit, and even sometimes on your monitor.
It usually requires 3 steps to plug an USB connector: try to plug it in a first try, it does not work. Turn over
the connector and retry, it does not work too. Retry with the initial position and the connector will fit in.
This is as mysterious as the sock which disappears in the washer…

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13.22 V

13.22.1 Virtual Desktop

It is the full set of the workspaces available on a GNU/Linux desktop. It is like having on hand several
desktops (with task bar and included windows). Very handy to get organized !

13.22.2 VGA

Video Graphics Array (VGA) refers to the display hardware first introduced with the IBM PS/2 in 1987.
The term can also mean either an analog computer display standard, the 15-pin D-subminiature VGA
connector or the 640x480 resolution itself. While this resolution was superseded in the personal computer
market in the 1990s, mobile devices have only caught up in the last few years.

13.22.3 VPN

Stands for Virtual Private Network, and refers to an encrypted network on the Internet, which allows a
company whose premises are geographically dispersed to communicate and share documents in a com-
pletely secure manner, as if they were all connected in a local area network.

13.23 W

13.23.1 Web

Web is the most common Internet network and refers to all the interconnected networks that run across
the whole world and connect computers together in the manner of a spider web.
Surfing the Web means : browse the Internet.

13.23.2 Web Browser

An Internet browser is a software application that allows you to visit websites, download files and make
some research.

13.23.3 Wiki

A wiki (Hawaiian word meaning “quick”) is a web site whose pages are editable by visitors, enabling the
creation of collaborative contents. (And aren’t you afraid to give the keys to strangers ?).

13.23.4 Window

A window is a rectangular area that appears on the screen to display, for example, the contents of a folder,
or a text file, or some software output. The window can take all the space (full-screen) or only a part of
the screen real estate. It is possible to view multiple windows simultaneously and drag items from one to
another using the drag and drop technique.

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13.23.5 Window Manager

The window manager is the X (graphical) client software that controls the placement and appearance
of windows (title bar, framing, moving, resizing, etc..) within a windowing system in a graphical user
interface. Most window managers are designed to help provide a desktop environment.
Applications, handle the inside of the window they created and manage their content and the interaction
with the user.
It is possible to change the window manager and see all the look and feel of the screen change completely.
When the window manager can do many other things in addition to what has been described here, it is a
desktop environment like XFCE.

13.23.6 WWW

Initials of the World Wide Web.

13.24 X

13.24.1 X Window

X Window System, commonly called X Windows, X11 or just X is the graphics subsystem of GNU/Linux.
X Window is not only a driver for the video card, it is mainly an interface (API) for applications, so that they
appear on the screen and receive input from the keyboard and mouse.

13.24.2 X Org

Free X server used by GNU/Linux distributions.

13.25 Y

13.25.1 Yes We Can

Yes we can make you understand your computer, use it to do what you want and share knowledge…

13.26 Z

13.26.1 Zen

“Stay zen”, means keep calm. Zen Buddhism has always been appreciated by hackers. This is a funda-
mental virtue of good programmer, especially in the debugging phase …

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13.26.2 Zip

A very popular file compression format. Requires a specific program for decoding (expanding) the com-
pressed file.

13.26.3 Zombie

Program that ended but whose father, informed of its death, does nothing (in keeping with the quilt analogy,
he is not concerned by the funeral nor the administrative procedures). It does not exist anymore but is
not deleted from the system process list, so it is still a bit alive … In turn, a program whose father was
destroyed is an orphan.

13.27 Links

• The Jargon Lexicon: http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/go01.html

• WhatIs.com: https://whatis.techtarget.com/
• Techopedia: https://www.techopedia.com/dictionary

Zen Garden by Péhä cc-by-sa

thebeginnershandbook 253 Contents

 Sources & licenses

Sources of this manual are freely available on its main server:

https://arpinux.org/lcdd/bookworm-en/download/thebeginnershandbook-src.tar.gz

14.1 Software used

Sources edition: Geany https://www.geany.org/ & VIM https://www.vim.org/

Pictures edition: the Gimp https://www.gimp.org & Gthumb https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Gthumb
External exports: Pandoc https://pandoc.org/
Debian package export: equivs
https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/sect.building-first-package.html
PDF edition: Exiftool https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExifTool
Most screenshots & tests made on Virtualbox https://www.virtualbox.org/

14.2 References

The various sources that helped me in the development of this manual:

Debian Administrator HandBook: https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-handbook/index.html
Debian main site: https://www.debian.org/
The Bullseye beginner’s handbook: https://arpinux.org/lcdd/bullseye-en/
Debian-Facile documentation (fr): https://debian-facile.org/wiki

14.3 Author & License

The beginner’s handbook scribbled by arpinux under free license WTFPLv2 (https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/WTFPL) unless otherwise stated.
English translation by Saby43, member of the Emmabuntüs community (https://emmabuntus.org/
a-propos/).
This manual integrates logos (Debian, Firefox, etc.) under copyright (each one its own, otherwise it’s not
funny) as well as some images and texts under license CC-BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by-sa/3.0/) (specified and credited under images and texts concerned)

254
The icons used come from the Gnome themes: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/GNOME_Desktop_
icons & Tango: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Tango_icons
Debian : Copyright © 1997-2023 SPI (https://www.spi-inc.org/) and others; See license terms (https:
//www.debian.org/license)
Debian is a registered trademark (https://www.debian.org/trademark) of Software in the Public Interest,
Inc.

14.4 Speakers aka thx a lot

Since Debian 8, the beginner’s handbook were made with the kind contributions of humans. Thanks
to… bendia, nIQnutn, Atapaz, Severian, deuchdeb, martinux_qc, mercredi, nazmi, chalu, bruno-legrand,
Thuban, Starsheep, smolski, Trefix, desmoric, nono47, yanatoum, PengouinPdt, èfpé, fiche, BibiSky51,
titiasam, Firepowi, dcpc007, rhyzome, Péhä, kyodev, Saby43, Otyugh, fiche, JCE, ubub, captnfab,
vv222, Switch_T, raleur, gtalbot, Caribou22 & samtux ;).
Thanks to saby43 for the english translation,
and to my wife <3
Special thx 2 Péhä for his drawings (under CC-BY-SA) and his free spirit
https://noroanka.art/.

Tux & GNU by Péhä CC-BY-SA

255
Contents

1 Debian? What’s that? 2

1.1 The Debian GNU/Linux system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Where to find help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2.1 About forums, geeks, and the terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.3 Few links before moving on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 A simplified introduction to computer 6

2.1 Test your level of computer skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 The mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.1 Left-click and double-click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.2 Right-click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.3 Middle-click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.4 Actions executed with the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.4.1 Drag-and-drop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2.4.2 Selection of several items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2.4.3 Text selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.2.4.4 Copy and paste a selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3 The keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3.1 The modifier keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3.2 Keyboard shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3.3 Special characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.4 Online exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.5 The users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.5.1 $USER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.2 #ROOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.3 Separate to secure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3 The graphical environment 17

3.1 The task bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.2 Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.3 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3.1 Closing a window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3.2 Moving a window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3.3 Resizing a window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4 Virtual desktops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.5 File management on GNU/Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.5.1 Your personal data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.5.2 Your hidden files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.5.3 The file system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.6 An example of file manager: Thunar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.6.1 Simplified presentation of Thunar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.6.2 Usage and functionality of Thunar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.6.2.1 Consulting your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.6.2.2 Data selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.6.2.3 Classifying the data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

thebeginnershandbook 256 Contents

 3.6.2.4 Data modification using the contextual menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.6.2.5 Data removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.7 Rights and permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.7.1 Rights and permissions from the contextual menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.8 The terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.8.1 Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.8.2 User mode example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.8.3 Administrator mode example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.8.3.1 “root” and “user” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.8.3.2 “user” without “root” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

4 Pick your Debian 37

4.0.1 Choosing a Debian derivative? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.0.2 Alternatives to Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.0.3 You want to try the Debian journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.1 Choosing the architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.1.1 To make it easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.1.2 Checking the architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.2 Choosing your GNU/Linux desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.2.1 Gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.2.2 Gnome Flashback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.2.3 KDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4.2.4 Mate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.2.5 Cinnamon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.2.6 Xfce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.2.7 LXDE/Openbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.2.8 LXQt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.2.9 Components of major Debian desktops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

5 Installing Debian 57
5.1 Before installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.1.1 Hardware compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.1.2 Backing up your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.1.3 Disk space requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.1.4 Installation time duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.1.5 Preparing the hard disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.2 Downloading Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.2.1 Which image to download? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
5.2.1.1 Debian Netinst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.2.1.2 Debian on CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.2.1.3 Debian live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.2.1.4 Debian torrent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.2.2 Verifying the ISO image integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.2.2.1 Checking SHA256 on GNU/Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
5.2.2.2 Verifying SHA256 on Windows® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.2.3 ISO transfer on a CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.2.4 ISO transfer on a USB key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.2.4.1 From a GNU/Linux system with the terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.2.4.2 From a Windows® system with Win32DiskImager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
5.2.5 Booting from the CD/DVD or the USB device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
5.2.5.1 The Boot Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
5.2.5.2 BIOS configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
5.2.5.3 BIOS/UEFI/Secure Boot configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
5.3 Testing Debian safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

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 5.3.1 Testing Debian in Live session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.3.1.1 Debian install using Calamares within a Live session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.3.2 Testing Debian from Windows® or Mac® with VirtualBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5.4 Installation simple boot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
5.4.1 Starting the installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
5.4.2 Select your language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
5.4.3 Select your geographical location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
5.4.4 Configure your keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
5.4.5 System name setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
5.4.6 Domain name setting (if necessary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
5.4.7 Root account creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
5.4.8 First user account creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
5.4.9 First user Login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
5.4.10 First user password setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
5.4.11 Selecting the guided or manual partitioning scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
5.4.12 Selecting the disk hosting the partition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
5.4.13 Partitioning scheme selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.4.14 Modify or finish the partitioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.4.15 Partitioning overview and formating process launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5.4.16 Analysis of the CD/DVD complementary contents (if necessary) . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
5.4.17 Selecting the network mirror country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.4.18 Selecting the server hosting the archive mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.4.19 Configuring a proxy server (if necessary) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
5.4.20 Participating - or not - to the Debian popularity-contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
5.4.21 Selecting software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
5.4.22 Packages installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
5.4.23 Installing Grub, the boot loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
5.4.24 Selecting the Grub location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
5.4.25 Installation complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.4.26 Debian first start-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
5.5 On-line installation details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
5.5.1 Dual-boot installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
5.5.2 LVM … what’s that? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
5.5.3 Encryption … what’s for? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
5.5.4 RAID … does it hurt? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

6 Fast boot after installation 103

6.1 Network connection setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
6.1.1 Network-manager-gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
6.1.2 ConnMan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
6.1.3 KDE connection manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
6.1.4 LXQt connection manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
6.1.5 Check if the driver is present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
6.1.5.1 Identifying a network device, and installing its driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
6.2 Configuring your printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
6.2.1 Simplified graphical method with system-config-printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
6.2.2 Universal graphical method with CUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
6.3 Check for updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
6.3.1 Update with a terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
6.3.2 Updates notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
6.4 Retrieve your email account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
6.4.1 Thunderbird: your free mail client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
6.4.1.1 Thunderbird setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
6.4.1.2 Thunderbird interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

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 6.4.1.3 Retrieve other email account(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.4.1.4 Thunderbird settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
6.4.1.5 Protect your new and forwarded e-mails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
6.5 Login configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
6.5.1 Auto-login with GDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
6.5.2 Auto-login with LightDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
6.5.3 Login configuration on KDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
6.5.4 Automatic login on LXQt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6.6 Navigate on Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
6.6.1 Firefox: a free web browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
6.7 Watch a video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
6.8 Listen to music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6.8.1 About audio format natively recognized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6.8.2 Rhythmbox: your music player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6.9 Work with word processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
6.9.1 LibreOffice : the free office productivity suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
6.10 Edit your photos with the Gimp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
6.10.1 Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
6.10.2 First Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

7 Tweaking your environment 140

7.1 User interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
7.1.1 The Gnome-Shell interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
7.1.1.1 Installing Gnome-Shell extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
7.1.1.2 Gnome-Shell keyboard shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
7.1.1.3 Gnome Desktop Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
7.1.1.4 The Gnome Classic interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
7.1.2 The KDE Plasma interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
7.1.2.1 The System Settings panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
7.1.2.2 KDE and desktop widgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
7.2 System Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
7.2.1 Root-User / su-sudo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
7.2.2 Playing a commercial DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
7.2.3 Installing a graphic card driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
7.2.3.1 Graphics Session Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
7.3 Adding a new user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
7.3.1 Adding a new user the graphical way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
7.3.2 Adding a new user using the terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

8 System administration 157

8.1 The software sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
8.1.1 The sources.list file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
8.1.2 About repositories, branches and sections/components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
8.1.3 Backport packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
8.1.4 Modifying the Repositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
8.2 APT in a terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
8.2.1 ‘User’ command to search and display information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
8.2.2 ‘Administrator’ mode commands for system maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
8.3 Software : the simplified package manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
8.3.1 Software: searching an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
8.3.2 Software: installing an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
8.3.3 Software: removing an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
8.3.4 Software: upgrading your applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
8.3.5 Software: modify packages repositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

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 8.3.6 Automatic updates with Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
8.4 Discover: the KDE package manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
8.4.1 Search and install with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
8.4.1.1 Install Plasma desktop widgets and addons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
8.4.2 Uninstalling an application with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.4.3 Discover: updating your applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.4.4 Discover: managing repositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
8.5 Synaptic: the comprehensive package manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
8.5.1 Synaptic: Main interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
8.5.2 Managing the repositories with Synaptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
8.5.3 Updating the system with Synaptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
8.5.4 Searching for a software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
8.5.5 Installing a package with Synaptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
8.5.5.1 Reinstall a package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
8.5.6 Uninstall a package with Synaptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
8.5.6.1 Synaptic: cleaning useless packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
8.5.6.2 Removing configuration residues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
8.5.7 Look at detailed information on a package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
8.5.8 Synaptic preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
8.6 Cleaning the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
8.6.1 Disk space information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
8.6.2 Cleaning the packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
8.6.3 Emptying the trash bins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
8.6.4 Purging application caches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
8.6.5 Purging the thumbnails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
8.7 Installing external “.deb” packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
8.7.1 Installation in graphic mode with GDebi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
8.7.2 Installation in terminal mode with Dpkg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
8.8 Installing Flatpak applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
8.8.1 Installing Flatpak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
8.8.2 Add a Flatpak repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
8.8.3 Manage Flatpak applications under Gnome with Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
8.8.4 Manage Flatpak applications under KDE with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
8.8.5 Manage Flatpak applications from your terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
8.8.6 Remove a Flatpak application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
8.8.7 Some Flatpak repositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
8.9 Who is this Sid guy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

9 Back up your data 197

9.1 Choosing the medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
9.2 Graphical mode applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
9.2.1 Backing Up with Deja-Dup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
9.2.1.1 Installing Deja-Dup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
9.2.1.2 First backup and configuration of Deja-Dup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
9.2.1.3 Schedule your backups with Deja-Dup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
9.2.1.4 Restoring your data with Deja-Dup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
9.3 Manual method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
9.4 Cloning the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

10 Protect your data and your privacy 207

10.1 Protect your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
10.1.1 Physical security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
10.1.2 Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
10.1.3 Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

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 10.2 Protect your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
10.2.1 Limit the access rights of others on your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
10.2.2 Backup your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
10.3 Antivirus software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
10.4 Parental control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
10.4.1 From your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
10.4.2 From your Web browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
10.5 Privacy on Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
10.5.1 Social networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
10.6 Private navigation within your browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
10.7 Private navigation on Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
10.7.1 Search engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
10.8 Anonymous navigation on Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
10.8.1 Tor-Browser, an anonymous navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
10.8.2 Tails: the anonymous distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
10.8.3 Real anonymity?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

11 Basic Command Memo 221

11.1 Browse directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
11.2 Action on files or directories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
11.3 View/Compare files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
11.4 Users and groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
11.5 Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
11.6 Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
11.7 Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
11.8 Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
11.9 Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
11.10 Kernel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
11.11 Links and references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

12 Free Software directory 226

12.1 The web sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
12.1.1 Free Software Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
12.1.2 The GNU project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
12.1.3 The Linux Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
12.1.4 ./Play.it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
12.2 The Wikimedia Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
12.2.1 Wikipedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
12.2.2 Wikimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
12.2.3 Wiktionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
12.2.4 Wikiquote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
12.2.5 Wikisource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
12.2.6 Wikibooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
12.2.7 Wikijuniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
12.2.8 Vikidia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
12.2.9 Wikiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
12.2.10 Wikispecies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
12.2.11 Wikivoyage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
12.2.12 Wikinews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
12.2.13 Wikidata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
12.2.14 Wiki Meta-wiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
12.2.15 Wiki-incubator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
12.2.16 MediaWiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
12.3 The GNU/Linux distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

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 12.3.1 Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
12.3.2 Emmabuntüs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
12.3.3 Mageia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
12.3.4 Fedora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
12.3.5 Entirely free distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
12.4 Free software alternatives to proprietary software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
12.5 Compatible hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234

13 Glossary 235
13.1 A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.1 Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.2 ADSL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.3 ALSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.4 Apt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.5 Aptitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
13.1.6 Arobase @ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.1.7 Audio Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.1.8 Autonomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2 B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2.1 Beast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2.2 BIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2.3 Boot manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2.4 Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
13.2.5 Bug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3 C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.1 C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.2 C++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.3 Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.4 Click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.5 Client/Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.6 Cloud Computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
13.3.7 Code (to) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.8 Code (Source) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.9 Compile (to) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.10 Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.11 Cookie(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.12 Copy and paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.13 Core dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.14 Cut and paste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
13.3.15 Cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4 D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.1 Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.2 Dependencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.3 Desktop Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.4 Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.5 Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.6 Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
13.4.7 Drag and drop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.5 E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.5.1 Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.5.2 Ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.6 F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.6.1 File Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
13.6.2 File system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

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 13.6.3 Firewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.6.4 Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.6.5 Fonts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.6.6 Fork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.6.7 FTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.7 G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.7.1 Geek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
13.7.2 Graphics card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.7.3 GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.7.4 Gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.7.5 GNU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.8 H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.8.1 Hack or Trick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.8.2 Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.8.3 Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
13.8.4 High Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.8.5 HDMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9.1 Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9.2 IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9.3 Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9.4 IN/OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
13.9.5 IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.9.6 ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.9.7 IRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.10 J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.10.1 Java . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.10.2 JPEG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.11 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.11.1 Kernel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
13.11.2 Keyboard Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.11.3 Kiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.12 L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.12.1 Lag (to) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.12.2 Live CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.12.3 Free Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.12.4 Long (it’s not gonna be) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.13 M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.13.1 Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
13.13.2 Memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.13.3 Motherboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.14 N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.14.1 No Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.14.2 Noob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.14.3 Notification Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.15 O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.15.1 Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.15.2 OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
13.16 P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.1 Package Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.2 Partition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.3 Phishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.4 Pixel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.5 Plugin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

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 13.16.6 PS/2 Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
13.16.7 Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.17 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.17.1 Queue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.17.2 Quit (to) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.18 R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.18.1 RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.18.2 Right-click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.18.3 RTFM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
13.19 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.19.1 Search Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.19.2 Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.19.3 Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.20 T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.20.1 Tab/Tabulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.20.2 Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.20.3 Troll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
13.21 U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.21.1 Unit (Central) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.21.2 Unix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.21.3 Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.21.4 URL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.21.5 USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
13.22 V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.22.1 Virtual Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.22.2 VGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.22.3 VPN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23 W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23.1 Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23.2 Web Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23.3 Wiki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23.4 Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
13.23.5 Window Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.23.6 WWW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.24 X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.24.1 X Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.24.2 X Org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.25 Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.25.1 Yes We Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.26 Z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.26.1 Zen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
13.26.2 Zip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
13.26.3 Zombie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
13.27 Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253

14 Sources & licenses 254

14.1 Software used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
14.2 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
14.3 Author & License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
14.4 Speakers aka thx a lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

thebeginnershandbook 264 Contents

List of Figures

1 the beginner’s handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.1 GNU & Tux, logos of the GNU projet and the Linux kernel by Péhä CC-BY-SA . . . . . . 2
1.2 In memory of Ian Murdock by Péhä CC-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 logo Debian “debian” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Debian banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.5 Kali Ma Shakti de . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Dev vs users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2 play too much with the click, you won’t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Drag and drop: point to the file to be moved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.4 Drag and drop: hold the button while moving the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 Drag and drop: move the mouse into the destination folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.6 Drag and drop: release the button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.7 Selecting several folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.8 Selection of several non-contiguous items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.9 Text selection with the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.10 Copy and paste a text segment: copy the selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.11 Copy and paste a text segment: cursor on destination, right-click > paste . . . . . . . . . 12
2.12 Copy and paste a text segment: selection pasted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.13 Example of layout for an English keyboard (cc-by-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.14 Special characters available on QWERTY keyboard layout (cc-by-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.15 Available characters with the ‘c’ key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3.1 The LXQt desktop with the application menu and the PCManFM file manager . . . . . . 17
3.2 Gnome-Shell panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3 Xfce panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.4 LXDE panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.5 MATE up & down panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.6 Cinnamon panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.7 KDE panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.8 LXQt panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.9 Accessing the Xfce panel configuration with a right-click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.10 The 3 tabs of the Xfce panel configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.11 Menu grouped by category on Cinnamon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.12 Classic dropdown menus on LXQt or XFCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.13 Full-screen menu on Gnome-Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.14 The Firefox web browser and the file manager on Gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.15 Closing a window with the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.16 Gnome virtual desktops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.17 Xfce and 4 virtual desktops shown in the panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.18 The file manager PCManFM, on LXQt, with two opened tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.19 Hiddden files on display with PCManFM on LXQt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.20 Presentation of the Thunar file manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.21 Contextual menu in Thunar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.22 Empty the Wastebasket using the sidebar icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

265
 3.23 Rights and permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.24 Contextual menu: properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.25 Terminal presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.26 Using “cd” to navigate the file system in the Terminal console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.27 List of existing folders and files with “ls” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3.28 Console : uname -r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.29 Console : uptime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.30 Console : cd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.31 Console : clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

4.1 The geek-girl by Péhä cc-by-ca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4.2 Gnome: desktop layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
4.3 Gnome: Time manager and System menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.4 Gnome: integrated comprehensive help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
4.5 Gnome Flashback desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.6 Gnome Flashback includes Gnome Help Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
4.7 Gnome Flashback configuration on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4.8 The KDE Plasma desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
4.9 KDE System Settings on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.10 The Konqueror Web/file browser on KDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4.11 KDE Help Centre launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.12 KDE Help Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
4.13 MATE desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
4.14 Control Center of the MATE desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.15 Mate desktop Help Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
4.16 Cinnamon desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.17 Cinnamon: system settings panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.18 Cinnamon : extension manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.19 The default Xfce on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.20 The Xfce setting center on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.21 Emmabuntüs Debian Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.22 The LXDE desktop and PCManFM on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.23 LXDE Appearance and Session configuration panels on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.24 Openbox configuration tool on LXDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.25 LXQt desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.26 LXQt configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

5.1 GNU & Tux on the road by Péhä CC-BY-SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

5.2 Download link for Debian netinstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.3 GtkHash: verifying the SA256 checksum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.4 HashMyFiles : Add file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
5.5 HashMyFiles : Debian ISO selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.6 HashMyFiles : computing checksums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.7 HashMyFiles : computing checksums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
5.8 HashMyFiles : display computed checksums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5.9 Win32DiskImager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
5.10 Open the boot menu on Toshiba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
5.11 Open the boot menu on Dell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
5.12 Select a disk to boot from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
5.13 BIOS: setting the Boot order (sources linuxtrack.net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
5.14 Save setting (sources linuxtrack.net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
5.15 Launching Debian Live session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.16 Debian install lanuncher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.17 Calamares installer: language selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

thebeginnershandbook 266 Contents

 5.18 Calamares installer: country selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
5.19 Calamares installer: keyboard selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5.20 Calamares installer : partition scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
5.21 Calamares installer : user creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.22 Calamares installer : overview before install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5.23 Calamares installer : Debian system installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.24 Calamares installer : installation complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.25 Launching the Debian GNU/Linux system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5.26 Installation mode (UEFI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
5.27 Installtion mode (BIOS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
5.28 Installation: language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
5.29 Installation: country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
5.30 Installation: keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
5.31 Installation: hostname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
5.32 Installation: domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
5.33 Installation: admin password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
5.34 Installation: user full name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
5.35 Installation: user login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
5.36 Installation: user password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
5.37 Installation: partition mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
5.38 Installation: disk to partition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
5.39 Installation: partition scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
5.40 Installation: check partition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5.41 Installation: formating and install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5.42 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5.43 Installation: optional additional CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
5.44 Installation: mirror country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5.45 Installation: mirror server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5.46 Installation : proxy configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
5.47 Installation: stats Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
5.48 Installation: software and main desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
5.49 Installation: downloading packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
5.50 Installation: installing packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
5.51 Installation: GRUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
5.52 Installation: disk for GRUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
5.53 Installation: installing GRUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
5.54 Installation: end and reboot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
5.55 Installation: reboot on GRUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
5.56 Debian: login screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
5.57 GNU in levitation by the Nevrax Design Team - GPLv3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

6.1 Back to the future by Peha - cc-by-sa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

6.2 Network management on Gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
6.3 Network management on Xfce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
6.4 Network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
6.5 Network private key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
6.6 Wi-Fi network connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
6.7 Network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
6.8 Network settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
6.9 ConnMan: main interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
6.10 ConnMan: connect to wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
6.11 KDE: network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
6.12 KDE: network private key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
6.13 KDE: network connection manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

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 6.14 Connman: launch application from the LXQt menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
6.15 Connman: main interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
6.16 Connman: Wi-Fi network tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
6.17 Connman: Wi-Fi password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
6.18 Connman: Wi-Fi connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
6.19 Connman: main interface from notification area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
6.20 System-config-printer: default interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
6.21 System-config-printer : unlock applcation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
6.22 Printer selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
6.23 Printer description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
6.24 Print test page? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
6.25 Printer configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
6.26 CUPS: “Printers” tab of the web interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
6.27 Active printer page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
6.28 Update notification on the KDE interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
6.29 Thunderbird: mail account configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
6.30 Thunderbird: mail account verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
6.31 Thunderbird: default display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
6.32 Gnome : Password request at session start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
6.33 Gnome settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
6.34 Unlock user preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
6.35 Auto login enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
6.36 LightDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
6.37 LightDM: configuration file edition with the Nano CLI editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
6.38 SDDM: login screen on KDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
6.39 KDE: launching SDDM configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
6.40 SDDM: graphical configuration tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6.41 Login screen on LXQt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6.42 sddm.conf edited in nano CLI editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
6.43 Firefox on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
6.44 Firefox: Add-ons catalog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
6.45 Totem: open a video on Gnome-Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
6.46 VLC multimedia player on Gnome-Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6.47 Rhythmbox: default view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
6.48 Rhythmbox: menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
6.49 Rhythmbox: preferences/plugins settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
6.50 Rhythmbox: complete help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
6.51 Libreoffice: default view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
6.52 the Gimp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
6.53 logo the GIMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
6.54 The Gimp on Gnome-Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

7.1 Gnome-Shell config launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

7.2 Gnome-Shell: configuring the interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
7.3 Gnome-Shell extensions launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
7.4 Available Gnome-Shell extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
7.5 Firefox addon installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
7.6 Allow “extensions.gnome.org” to install module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
7.7 Add Gnome Shell integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
7.8 Confirm Gnome Shell integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
7.9 On line Gnome-Shell extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
7.10 Dash to Panel page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
7.11 Dash to Panel: Installation confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
7.12 Dash to Panel extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

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 7.13 Gnome-Shell config launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
7.14 Gnome-Shell: All Settings Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
7.15 Gnome-Shell : removable media management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
7.16 Gnome classic: Environment selection during Sign In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
7.17 Gnome Classic desktop on Debian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
7.18 Debian System Settings on KDE Plasma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
7.19 KDE widgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
7.20 KDE and the graphical components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
7.21 GRUB: advanced options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
7.22 GRUB: recovery mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
7.23 recovery mode enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
7.24 Recovery mode failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
7.25 Account settings launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
7.26 Account settings under Gnome-Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
7.27 Adding a new user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
7.28 User configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
7.29 Users list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

8.1 The default ‘sources.list’ file on Debian 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

8.2 Software: default Debian interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
8.3 Software: searching an application by its name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
8.4 Software: selecting an application for installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
8.5 Software: authentication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
8.6 Software: you can follow the installation process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
8.7 Software: the installation was successful, you can launch your application. . . . . . . . . 163
8.8 Software: selecting an application for removal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
8.9 Software: confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
8.10 Software: updates tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
8.11 Software: downloading updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
8.12 Software: reboot to apply updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
8.13 Software: successful update notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
8.14 Software: repositories menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
8.15 Software: repositories modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
8.16 Software: refresh packages informations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
8.17 Software: cache refreshing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
8.18 Software: preferences menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
8.19 Software: automatic updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
8.20 Discover launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
8.21 Discover: default interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
8.22 Searching an application with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
8.23 Browsing through categories with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
8.24 Discover: Plasma desktop addons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
8.25 Discover: applications addons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.26 Uninstalling with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.27 KDE update notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.28 Discover: check updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
8.29 Discover: launching update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
8.30 Discover: password requested for update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
8.31 Discover: update progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
8.32 Discover: system updated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
8.33 Discover: managing repositories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
8.34 Synaptic: the default interface of the package manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
8.35 Synaptic: repository check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
8.36 Synaptic: repositories menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

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 8.37 Synaptic: updates setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
8.38 Synaptic: graphical mode sources managment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
8.39 Synaptic: check repositories informations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
8.40 Synaptic: upgradable packages list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
8.41 Synaptic: change request list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
8.42 Synaptic: apply update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
8.43 Synaptic: confirm changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
8.44 Synaptic: downloading packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
8.45 Synaptic: system upgraded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
8.46 Synaptic: search for an application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
8.47 Synaptic: marking a package for installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
8.48 Synaptic: dépendencies added . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
8.49 Synaptic: apply changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
8.50 Synaptic: summary of waiting changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
8.51 Synaptic: downloading the packages to be installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
8.52 Synaptic: successful operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
8.53 Synaptic: selecting a package for removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
8.54 Synaptic: auto removable packages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
8.55 Synaptic: configuration residues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
8.56 Synaptic: Preferences window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
8.57 Ncdu launched in the user personal folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
8.58 Baobab: disk space analyzer on Gnome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
8.59 GDebi: the default interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
8.60 GDebi: opening a .deb file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
8.61 GDebi: installing a .deb file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
8.62 GDebi: installing a .deb file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
8.63 GDebi: remove a .deb file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
8.64 Looking at Flatpak application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
8.65 Installing a Flatpak application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
8.66 Looking for an application with Discover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
8.67 Selecting the Flathub repository . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
8.68 Toy Story © Disney & Pixar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
8.69 sid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

9.1 Deja-Dup: default interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

9.2 Deja-Dup: selecting the folders to save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
9.3 Deja-Dup: selecting the storage location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
9.4 Deja-Dup: optional password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
9.5 Deja-Dup: launching the first backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
9.6 Deja-Dup: after the first backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
9.7 Deja-Dup: preferences launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
9.8 Deja-Dup: preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
9.9 Deja-Dup: restore launcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
9.10 Deja-Dup: define data to restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
9.11 Deja-Dup: define where to restore data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
9.12 Deja-Dup: password required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
9.13 Deja-Dup: restoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
9.14 Deja-Dup: restore process completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

10.1 Properties menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

10.2 No access for others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
10.3 facebook© addicts… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
10.4 Firefox: open a new private window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
10.5 Firefox in private mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

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 10.6 Firefox: privacy & security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
10.7 Torproject.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
10.8 TorBrowser: launch installer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
10.9 TorBrowser: download latest release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
10.10 TorBrowser: downloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
10.11 TorBrowser: installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
10.12 TorBrowser: connecting to network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
10.13 TorBrowser: loading relay information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
10.14 TorBrowser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
10.15 TorBrowser: install from the official site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
10.16 Tails: the amnesic incognito live system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
10.17 “Plant onions!” by Péhä (CC-BY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
10.18 Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

11.1 A shell to rule them all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

13.1 Zen Garden by Péhä cc-by-sa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253

14.1 Tux & GNU by Péhä CC-BY-SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

thebeginnershandbook 271 Contents

The beginner’s handbook
arpinux © WTFPL
trad. Saby43 & arpinux
Updated: June 17, 2023