Debian GNOME Desktop for Etch

This article aims to collect what we're already doing and probably will be done in time for Etch, in terms of a better Debian GNOME Desktop right from the installer.

If you're mainly interested in mid-term, long-term goals and solutions, please read DebianDesktop article too.

Timeline

The current Debian Etch release timeline is: 

N-117  = Mon 30 Jul 06: freeze essential toolchain, kernels
N-110  = Mon  7 Aug 06: freeze base, non-essential toolchain (including
                        e.g. cdbs)
N-105  = Mon 14 Aug 06: d-i RC [directly after base freeze]
N-45   = Wed 18 Oct 06: general freeze [about 2 months after base
                        freeze, d-i RC]
N      = Mon  4 Dec 06: release [1.5 months for the general freeze]

Source: http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel-announce/2006/05/msg00000.html

I'm Joe

I'm Joe and i would like to install Debian GNU/Linux Etch to be my GNOME desktop, i've just downloaded 1 (2?) CDs or the DVD image. My plan is install everything i need from the debian-installer, i don't know (yet) i can install new applications using aptitude (CLI) and synaptic (GUI).

I know i can choose "Desktop Environment" during the installation, and after the reboot i will see the login screen, telling me i'm in Debian GNU/Linux Etch. Login into with the account that i've created moments ago, i would be able to enjoy my new desktop without installing tons of others softwares.

Browsing through the menus i can see that it's trivial to install my printer. scanner and bluetooth support would be great too, i can't see this, but i plugged my scanner and it popped up a suggestion to install the needed software. The same happened with a friend that has bluetooth support in his laptop.

I've heard that there's multimedia support even in the browser and free flash support too. These guys from Debian are working very hard. My wired and wireless network are working flawlessly, i've a card supported by the kernel in etch and there's a cool applet in my desktop that hides the dirty work.

I'm stratus

That would be good make Joe happy and satisfy the fake testimonial above. We're going well, see the Project Tracker below.

Joe doesn't told you, but it would be good write documentation about the packages that users will want to install and we can't add and customize by default, eg: Java support, MP3 plugin and all that.

Project Tracker

Status

Task

Lead

Help/Tests

Comments

Done

project in alioth

stratus

we 'merged' w/ debian-desktop

Done

revamp debian-desktop page

stratus

Done

gnome-desktop task

joeyh

stratus

done for etch in tasksel .58

Done

update-manager

stratus

kov

Done

printing support

joeyh

stratus

Done

multimedia in the browser

stratus

w/ totem-xine

Done

network-manager

stratus

tasksel .58 material

Done

lightweight desktop task

stratus

using xfce, tasksel .58 material

Done

gnome-screensaver branding

stratus

See 367682

WIP

artwork@desktop-base

stratus

discussion@debian-desktop ML

WIP

gdm theme

stratus

wrong theme atm, but not random anymore

Pending

tablet support

stratus

_feedback

coordinate with ron

Braindump

better a11y support

stratus

new task? in talks with mlang

Braindump

document upgrade

stratus

Braindump

document desktop install

stratus

Braindump

more applets in the panel?

stratus

joss

check gnome-panel

Braindump

task suggestion

stratus

using pygtk2 + notify

Delayed

bluetooth support

stratus

sent to pkg-bluetooth and joeyh

Delayed

alacarte 0.9

stratus

GNOME 2.{15,16} material - seb128

Delayed

new gnome-tasksel

stratus

See 368518

Status table

Braindump

Pending

Delayed

WIP

Testing

Done

Future