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[SOLVED] Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

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clemens
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[SOLVED] Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#1 Post by clemens »

Hello,

I am Clemens, a complete newbie of Debian, although it has been a year or so that I have been using Ubuntu and derivates so I understand the basics.
I have just got an old Toshiba laptop (Dynabook AX2525CMS), with 256 Mb RAM, 40 GB hd and a Celeron2,5Ghz. I have decided to install Debian (specifically the debian-502-i386-xfce+lxde-CD-1.iso) with lxde because I realised the ubuntu version I tried were running a bit too slow.
Anyhow now I don't exactly know what to do to add software. I am used to the synaptic package manager of ubuntu and I don't really know how to use aptitude yet.
I tried with the command aptitude -gui in the terminal but it jokingly replied that my aptitude does not have Super Cow Powers. How do I add these powers ?) Basically I was wondering what I should do to add a graphical inteface to it so then I can add all the packages I need.
At the end I would like to install Open Office Impress, scim or ibus for Japanese input and stardict, plus another couple of useful programs such as tomboy, hamster-applet, java and python (for other programs) etc.
Thank you in advance for any suggestion and help.
Cheers,

Clemens
Last edited by clemens on 2010-01-03 11:08, edited 1 time in total.

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#2 Post by cnoyes »

Type these 2 commands in one at a time, using your root password when prompted

Code: Select all

#su
#apt-get install synaptic
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clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#3 Post by clemens »

Thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately I get:
Package synaptic is not available, but it is referred to by another package etc.
Do I need to add some repository address?

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#4 Post by cnoyes »

Code: Select all

cat /etc/apt/sources.list
post the output to here, so we can see what you're working with for sources
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clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#5 Post by clemens »

Yes, I get:
# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.2 _Lenny_ - Official i386 xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090628-15:51]/ lenny main

deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.2 _Lenny_ - Official i386 xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090628-15:51]/ lenny main

# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main

# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile lenny/volatile main
# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb-src http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile lenny/volatile main

clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#6 Post by clemens »

Now perhaps I get it. Is it because the resources are commented?
I didn't realise it would do that automatically.

clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#7 Post by clemens »

Somehow, even after decommenting with leafpad, it tells me the same thing :(

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#8 Post by cnoyes »

Code: Select all

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main
#deb-src http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny main

deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main contrib
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main contrib

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny non-free
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ lenny contrib
replace what you've got there with the above. To do this(the easy way) type(as root)

Code: Select all

gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Select what you have posted here and replace it with what I posted above, and then select save, and you can close gedit.

At the terminal:

Code: Select all

apt-get update
when that's done, try to install synaptic again.
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clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#9 Post by clemens »

Wow, it works now:)
Thank you very much.
I have one more question:
how do I add language selection. In ubuntu it came out on the bar, similar to what happens for the MS ime. I basically need to write in Japanese in Writer, Ice weasel an some other programs. Cheers.

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#10 Post by cnoyes »

As root:

Code: Select all

dpkg-reconfigure locales
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mdevour
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#11 Post by mdevour »

Deja vu...
clemens wrote:# deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.2 _Lenny_ - Official i386 xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090628-15:51]/ lenny main

deb cdrom:[Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.2 _Lenny_ - Official i386 xfce+lxde-CD Binary-1 20090628-15:51]/ lenny main

# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main
# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main

# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile lenny/volatile main
# Line commented out by installer because it failed to verify:
#deb-src http://volatile.debian.org/debian-volatile lenny/volatile main
We went through this exact process a few weeks ago with another newer member. Their fresh install left them with a similar if not identically broken sources.list file.

http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=47683

Is this a bug? Common user error? What do you think, Chris?

Mike D.

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#12 Post by cnoyes »

You know, I'm not sure. For instance, why is the cdrom not commentted out?
As a side question, doesn't the presence of the cdrom make the sources fail by nature?
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nadir
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#13 Post by nadir »

mdevour:if you aint got a running network during install thats what the sources.list looks like.
always, its no bug.

ah, cnoyes, missed that part of your post: if the cd line is there you get a "please insert cd". the sources is getting read from top to bottom
but it won`t fail.

greetings
sure: afaik.
Last edited by nadir on 2010-01-02 19:17, edited 1 time in total.
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

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cnoyes
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#14 Post by cnoyes »

easy enough answer. I've never installed Debian without a network connection. Other distros I've used change the sources.list whether you're online or not.
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nadir
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#15 Post by nadir »

as i always install without network (besides virtualbox) i know that it exactly looks like that for me.
i remove the cd; remove the security and volatile comments and add the "usual" line after the installation.
so its good i`m not a network-guru, at least for that little info.
greetings
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

mdevour
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#16 Post by mdevour »

nadir wrote:as i always install without network (besides virtualbox) i know that it exactly looks like that for me. i remove the cd; remove the security and volatile comments and add the "usual" line after the installation.
Okay, that's a good explanation, Nadir. Yes, you saw the exact same thing, I remember now.

So, gents, I think we're seeing a common installation "failure" mode that new people downloading and installing Debian deserve to be warned about.

It might be better if the installer went ahead and cleaned up the sources list properly even without a connection, but I bet the installer team did it this way on purpose so as not to confuse people who are trying to do a CD or DVD installation. It might be better yet if the installer could ask the user to choose between "I want to continue installing packages from the CD/DVD" or "I want to start updating and installing packages from the network."

So there's a possible bug report to file for the Debian Installer, suggesting either a change in the install process or at least a warning in errata or other prominent documentation?

Meanwhile, could it merit a sticky post in the Installation section?

Mike D.

refracta
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#17 Post by refracta »

It would also have to ask 'do you think you have a internet connection' and 'do you think you will have a internet connection in the future' and 'if you have a internet connection in the future would you like to...' and 'if you do not have a internet connection in the future would you like to' and....and....and....

I simply do not see a 'perfect' way to handle the situation. I think the current behavior is reasonable although it could go ahead and add the standard main repo and comment it out with the 'failed to verify' comment.

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llivv
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#18 Post by llivv »

'
Last edited by llivv on 2019-02-21 03:47, edited 1 time in total.
In memory of Ian Ashley Murdock (1973 - 2015) founder of the Debian project.

clemens
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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#19 Post by clemens »

Hi Cnoyes,

thanks for the reply about the language, I missed among the other more technical discussions about the repositories.
Anyhow now that they are installed I am not sure how to use them. I will start a new thread.
Cheers

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Re: Newbie question: is there something like synaptic?

#20 Post by milomak »

refracta wrote: I simply do not see a 'perfect' way to handle the situation. I think the current behavior is reasonable although it could go ahead and add the standard main repo and comment it out with the 'failed to verify' comment.
i agree with this sentiment
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