This document describes the tasks for DebianDesktop.
What are tasks?
'tasksel' provides a simple interface for users who want to configure their system to perform one or more task. Usually to work on a task in Debian you need a set of packages, we also call each list of these packages `task' in 'tasksel'.
There are four tasks in Debian for desktop environments: desktop, gnome-desktop, kde-desktop and xfce-desktop.
desktop task
The desktop task (desktop) is the common part of the other desktop tasks. It basically installs X.org, OpenOffice.org, the Iceweasel browser, a simple window manager called twm and common Debian Desktop artwork.
Debian GNU/Linux Desktop Etch
- Xorg 7.1
OpenOffice.org 2.0.4
- Iceweasel (unbranded Mozilla Firefox) 2.0
- twm 1.0.1
GNOME desktop task
GNOME Desktop task (gnome-desktop) aims to provide the GNOME desktop environment and add-on software for a comfortable end-user experience.
Debian GNU/Linux GNOME Desktop Etch
- GNOME 2.14 with some 2.16 modules (eg.: totem)
- Totem with Xine backend and browser plugin for multimedia support
- Gnomebaker (CD/DVD burner)
- GParted
- Gaim (that is now pidgin) 2.0 beta5
KDE desktop task
KDE Desktop task (kde-desktop) aims to provide the KDE desktop environment and add-on software for a comfortable end-user experience.
Debian GNU/Linux KDE Desktop Etch
- KDE 3.5.5
- K3b 0.12
Xfce desktop task
Xfce Desktop task (xfce-desktop) aims to provide the Xfce desktop environment and add-on software for a comfortable end-user experience.
Debian GNU/Linux Xfce Desktop Etch:
- Xfce 4.2
How to install the Debian Desktop on a living system ?
Make sure that you have an up-to-date tasksel and aptitude packages and run:
aptitude update aptitude install <the tasks of your choice>
Example: aptitude install desktop gnome-desktop
Is there a Live CD ?
Yes, there are Debian Desktop task based Live CDs (Etch and testing available) maintained by the Debian Live initiative. Download your image at: http://live.debian.net
How to install the Debian Desktop from scratch for tests ?
Download a testing image at: http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer , the first default CD will install GNOME as default desktop environment, unless you unselect the "Desktop environment" task. There are also alternative first CD images for Xfce and KDE.
Don't worry if you've broadband, the installer is smart enough to download stuff if you have the 'wrong' image in hands. You can also read Gustavo Franco's blog post about the subject.