From dc8957116f692eff271aed9b0f0121486920f56b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jonas Smedegaard Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2019 18:16:12 +0100 Subject: rewrite SETUP to cover box images --- SETUP.md | 148 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---------------- 1 file changed, 111 insertions(+), 37 deletions(-) diff --git a/SETUP.md b/SETUP.md index 6f695c1..8209bc9 100644 --- a/SETUP.md +++ b/SETUP.md @@ -2,66 +2,140 @@ > Install Debian with Xfce from stable/testing image to encrypted disk +This documents initial setting up a computer +for use as desktop (or laptop) workstation. -## Image -Use Debian. -Install either the [stable][] release for most reliable needs, -or a [testing][] snapshot for more excitement. +## Prerequisites -You will need network access during install -for downloading hundreds of megabytes of additional software from Debian. +You need a locally usable computer +(i.e. with monitor and keyboard connected). +Requirements for computer: -If your computer cannot use network with Free drivers -(most wifi cards and a few wired cards), -then you can try the [non-free stable] or [non-free testing] image. -Use of those images is **not** recommended. -Make sure that their **non-free** licensing terms are acceptable to you! +* Sufficient: Any computer supported by [Debian]. +* Recommended: Either a [Teres-1] laptop or a [LIME2] box. -[stable]: - "Official stable images, via Bittorrent or for direct download" +You also need an install medium. +For the recommended computers listed above, +install medium is a microSD card. +Requirements for microSD card: -[testing]: - "Official testing images, via Bittorrent or for direct download" +* Sufficient: Any microSD card that can hold at least 1GB storage. +* Recommended: microSD card from SanDisk marked as "A1" or "A2". + +You will need internet access during install, +both to get the install image +and to finalize system setup. + +[Debian]: + "Debian - the Universal Operating System" + +[Teres-1]: + "Olimex Teres-I Do-It-Yourself laptop" + +[LIME2]: + "Olimex A20-OLinuXino-LIME2" + + +### Non-free firmware -[non-free stable]: - "Unofficial non-free stable images including firmware packages" +**NB!** +Many wifi controllers does not work out of the box +with Free systems like [Debian]. +You can either avoid wifi (i.e. use ethernet instead), +use a [Debian-compatible USB wifi dongle][Debian wifi], +or (if acceptable to you) include suitable nonfree drivers. -[non-free testing]: - "Unofficial non-free testing images including firmware packages" +[Debian wifi]: + "List of Debian-compatible wifi chipsets" -## Disk protection +## Install core system -You are recommended to use full disk encryption. +You are generally recommended to install a stable system. +Alternatively you can install a testing system - +more exciting but also less reliable. -This protects your personal data stored on the harddisk +You are recommended to use full disk encryption, +which protects your personal data stored on the harddisk from being accessible by others e.g. if your computer gets stolen. +Beware however that disk encryption only protects your data +while the computer is **turned off** +(also use a strong user password and a screensaver with locking). +Also, if you forget your disk password then **all your data is lost!** -Beware that disk encryption does not protect -from access while the computer is turned on, -and if you forget your disk password then the data is lost! -During install, -select "Guided - use entire disk and set up LVM" -when formatting the harddisk. +### Install box system +For [recommended computers](#Prerequisites), +follow the guide at +to download image and copy it over to an install medium, +and then start the new system, enable network, +and finalize system setup. -## Desktop +**NB!** +Builtin wifi on the Teres-I laptop does not work +with the regular box image +(see notes [above][#Non-free firmware]). +If including nonfree code is acceptable to you +then you can instead use a [nonfree box image]. -The Xfce desktop is recommended -as a conservative desktop environment. +[nonfree box image]: + "Pre-installed 'box' images with nonfree firmware" -You tell during installation that you want to [install Xfce]. -[install Xfce]: - "How to install Xfce" +### Install Debian + +For non-recommended computers, +download and install a suitable Debian netinst image - +either [stable] release or a [testing] snapshot. + +(see notes [below][#Setup desktop on generic Debian]) +for setting up the Xfce desktop environment. +You may find help +in the [Install chapter of The Debian handbook][Debian handbook - Install]. -## See also +**NB!** +Builtin wifi on most computers does not work +with regular netinst images +(see notes [above][#Non-free firmware]). +If including nonfree code is acceptable to you +then you can instead use a [nonfree netinst image]. -Install chapter in The [Debian handbook][]. +[stable]: + "Official Debian stable images, via Bittorrent or for direct download" + +[testing]: + "Official Debian testing images, via Bittorrent or for direct download" -[Debian handbook]: +[Debian handbook - Install]: "Debian handbook, chapter on installation" + +[nonfree netinst image]: + "Unofficial Debian-based netinst images with nonfree firmware" + + +## Setup desktop + +You are recommended to use the Xfce desktop - +as a conservative X11 desktop environment. + + +## Setup desktop on boxed Debian + +Run "box-add-gui" to have a graphical user interface. + + +## Setup desktop on generic Debian + +On non-box system +(i.e. when installing with Debian netinst image) +you tell during installation that you want to [install Xfce], +or afterwards e.g. using this command: + + sudo apt install task-xfce-desktop + +[install Xfce]: + "How to install Xfce" -- cgit v1.2.3