Re: Initial install question
Mark Fletcher wrote (in top-posting format - arghgh!):
> In addition to that you need a display manager
A display manager is optional, so I'd hesitate to use the phrase "you
need". Without a display manager, you can still start X with the
"startx" command.
> , of which there are 3 mainstream ones, XDM, GDM (Also known as GNOME)
> and KDM.
I would also consider WDM as mainstream.
Also, a nit. GDM is not "also known as GNOME"; GDM is part of Gnome,
just as KDM is part of KDE. Both GDM and KDM are the display (or login)
managers of their respective desktop environments.
> Quickest way to take yourself forward from this point is probably to
> run 'apt-get install gdm' or 'apt-get install kdm' as root.
Which will install the display manager, but may not install the matching
desktop environment.
I would suggest:
#aptitude install x-window-system icewm
which will get the base X system installed along with a decent window
manager. At this point, "startx" should start X and the Icewm window
manager.
#aptitude install kde gnome
which will install both the KDE and Gnome desktop environments,
including KDM and GDM - you should be prompted for your preferred
display manager. At this point, rebooting (or starting KDM/GDM) should
start a graphical login screen, at which time you can log into KDE,
Gnome, or any other desktop environment / window manager you have
installed (and which is known to that login manager).
> You'll be asked some questions about your graphics hardware so make
> sure you know make, chipset
The command "lspci" might be of help here.
--
Kent West
Technology Support
/A/bilene /C/hristian /U/niversity
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