[Tfug] List of packages required to make a good Debian Desktop system

[Jude Nelson]

I'm assuming you're talking about packages you'll need AFTER installing
Debian's core and default desktop environment (otherwise, there would be
hundreds of base packages)?  If so, have you considered these?

<> How about an office suite (i.e. OO.org would be nice)?  Also, maybe gedit
for simple text-editing?
<> Additionally, how about amaroK?  Better multimedia player than xmms,
IMHO.  Or maybe MPlayer?
<> Don't forget Totem for watching movies! (although I'm partial to Kaffeine
for watching DVDs).
<> I notice you don't have an mp3 codec listed.
<> Also, maybe some better games?  Like gnome-games?  Maybe Armagetron,
Doom, Tux Racer, BZFlag, etc?
<> Maybe also Synaptic for graphical package management?
<> Update notifier?
<> Terminal app?
<> Maybe also OpenSSH client/server?
<> vi or emacs?
<> Gnome network manager?
<> Gnome's printer configuration software?  Maybe CUPS?
<> A PDF reader? (xpdf will do)
<> Extra screensavers?
<> If you have a half-decent GPU, maybe Beryl or Compiz?
<> Maybe some music archive software?
<> K3b, in my experience, is a better choice than gnomebaker, IMHO.

I'll think of more tonight :)

Regards,
Jude Nelson
On 7/4/07, Glen Pfeiffer <glen at thepfeiffers.net> wrote:
>
> I am putting together a list of software that I use on my Debian
> boxes. There are two reasons I am doing this. First, because I
> cannot remember it all and I want to have a reference of what
> works for me while I am setting up new systems for friends and
> family. A second objective is to share it with others. I expect
> it would be most helpful to those new to Linux and Debian. Some
> of my choices were influenced because I run GNOME.
>
> 1. Do any of you know of better alternatives than what I have
>    listed?
>
> 2. Are you aware of any media codecs I am missing?
>
>
> ---------------------------
> Basic Desktop Software
> ---------------------------
>
> Package Name              Description
> ------------------------- ---------------------------------------
> gaim                      Instant messaging program
> gftp                      File Transfer Program
> gimp                      Image editing program
> gnome-art                 Install GNOME themes from art.gnome.org
> gnome-themes-extras       Various themes for the GNOME 2 desktop
> gnomebaker                Burn music CD's
> gnomesword                Bible study software
> gthumb                    Image library application)
> samba                     Share and read files with Windows
> smbfs                     Mount and unmount commands for Samba
>
>
> ---------------------------
> Children's Games
> ---------------------------
>
> Package Name       Description
> ------------------ ---------------------------------------
> childsplay         Suite of 12 educational games for children
> ktuberling         Mr. Potato Head game for children
> tuxpaint           Painting program for children
>
>
> ---------------------------
> Web browsing and Multimedia
> ---------------------------
>
> Package Name           Description
> ---------------------- ---------------------------------------
> alsa-base              The linux sound system.
> flashplayer-mozilla    Browser flash player plugin [1,5]
> icedove                Email Client (Thunderbird)
> iceweasel              Web Browser
> libdvdcss              DVD decryption so you can play DVD's [1]
> sun-java5-jre          Sun's Java Runtime Environment [2,3,4]
> sun-java5-plugin       Sun's Java browser plugin [2,3,4]
> w32codecs              Libs for playing Media Files [1]
> xmms                   Music player
>
>
>
>
> ===================================
> Footnotes
> ===================================
>
> 1. Debian MultiMedia Repository. Add the following to
>    /etc/apt/sources.lists
>
>    deb http://debian-multimedia.org etch main
>
>    Add Marillat's key to your ring so apt-get stops showing you
>    an error. Execute these commands:
>
>    # gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys 1F41B907
>    # gpg --armor --export 1F41B907 > marillat.asc
>    # apt-key add marillat.asc
>
>    Update your repository.
>
> 2. Only available in the Etch and later non-free repositories.
>    After installing Sun's Java you need to make sure that it is
>    the default:
>    # update-java-alternatives --set java-1.5.0-sun
>
> 3.
> http://stepien.com.pl/2006/11/26/java-on-debian-including-firefox-plugin/
>
> 4. Java Tester: http://www.javatester.org/version.html
>
> 5. Flash Tester: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/
>    If the flash plugin loads correctly, mouse over the About tab
>    in the plugin to find out which version you are running.
>
>
>
>
> ===================================
> Other References
> ===================================
>
> 1. List all Iceweasel/Firefox plugins. Start Iceweasel, and in
>    the address bar, type: about:plugins
>
> 2. WMA, WAV, and OGG media files for testing:
>    http://xiph.org/vorbis/listen.html
>
> 3. Article on setting up Real Player:
>
> http://www.crazysquirrel.com/computing/debian/applications/media-players.jspx
>
>
> --
> Glen
>
>
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