Debian Desktop Etch

Debian GNU/Linux 4.0 our last release, codenamed Etch - has three ready to install desktop environments: [http://www.gnome.org GNOME], [http://www.kde.org KDE] and [http://www.xfce.org Xfce].

Under the hood

Debian GNU/Linux Desktop Etch

Debian GNU/Linux GNOME Desktop Etch

Debian GNU/Linux KDE Desktop Etch

Debian GNU/Linux Xfce Desktop Etch:

For more information about the package selection, please read our [:DebianDesktop/tasks: tasks (set of softwares) page].

How to Install from Scratch

To install Debian GNU/Linux Desktop Etch on your desktop or laptop, we recommend you the [http://mirrors.kernel.org/debian-cd/4.0_r0/multi-arch/iso-dvd/debian-40r0-i386-amd64-powerpc-source-DVD-1.iso multiarch DVD media]. With one single media you will be able to install the default desktop environment (GNOME) in new mac systems, regular PCs (i386 architecture), old mac systems (powerpc architecture) and new PCs, including high-end servers (amd64 architecture). No need to inform your architecture, you just need a DVD driver and if you don't have one we recommend you the [http://mirrors.kernel.org/debian-cd/4.0_r0/multi-arch/iso-cd/debian-40r0-i386-amd64-powerpc-source-CD-1.iso multiarch CD media].

The installation process is simple, after some questions and base system installation, you will be asked which tasks (set of softwares) you want to install. Just select "default desktop environment"

How to Install in a Living System

If you've Debian Sarge - our previous release or Debian Etch running without any desktop set of packcages, open a terminal and run as root:

   aptitude update
   aptitude install <the tasks of your choice>

We recommend as <the tasks of your choice> - "gnome-desktop". The options are: desktop, gnome-desktop, kde-desktop and xfce-desktop.