# Installation of Desktop system

> 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.


## Prerequisites

You need a locally usable computer
(i.e. with monitor and keyboard connected).
Requirements for computer:

* Sufficient: Any computer supported by [Debian].
* Recommended: Either a [Teres-1] laptop or a [LIME2] box.

You also need an install medium.
For the recommended computers listed above,
install medium is a microSD card.
Requirements for microSD card:

* 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]: <https://www.debian.org/>
  "Debian - the Universal Operating System"

[Teres-1]: <https://www.olimex.com/Products/DIY-Laptop/>
  "Olimex Teres-I Do-It-Yourself laptop"

[LIME2]: <https://www.olimex.com/Products/OLinuXino/A20/A20-OLinuXino-LIME2/>
  "Olimex A20-OLinuXino-LIME2"


### Non-free firmware

**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.

[Debian wifi]: <https://wiki.debian.org/WiFi#Availability_of_compatible_WiFi_chipsets>
  "List of Debian-compatible wifi chipsets"


## Install core system

You are generally recommended to install a stable system.
Alternatively you can install a testing system -
more exciting but also less reliable.

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!**


### Install box system

For [recommended computers](#Prerequisites),
follow the guide at <http://box.redpill.dk/>
to download image and copy it over to an install medium,
and then start the new system, enable network,
and finalize system setup.

**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].

[nonfree box image]: <http://box.redpill.dk/images/nonfree/>
  "Pre-installed 'box' images with nonfree firmware"


### 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].

**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].

[stable]: <https://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/>
  "Official Debian stable images, via Bittorrent or for direct download"

[testing]: <https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/>
  "Official Debian testing images, via Bittorrent or for direct download"

[Debian handbook - Install]: <https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-handbook/installation.html>
  "Debian handbook, chapter on installation"

[nonfree netinst image]: <https://cdimage.debian.org/images/unofficial/non-free/images-including-firmware/>
  "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]: <https://wiki.debian.org/Xfce#How_to_install_Xfce>
  "How to install Xfce"