1) There are usually meta packages in synaptic that point to a collection of other packages. For example installing the "gnome" package will install all of the normal gnome applications. There appears to be a meta package named "xfce4" just for the purpose of installing XFCE and all of its normal apps.
2) Personally, after a clean netinstall, I usually enable the non-free repos so I can get access to Oracle Java, Adobe Flash, and a few other bits of software. You can also stop by mozilla.debian.net and add those repositories so you can always have the latest version of Iceweasel(Firefox). Also, after installing the backports repository listed on that website, you'll have the option to install LibreOffice in lieu of OpenOffice from Synaptic.
3) You can use the "tasksel" command to re-invoke that checklist you're presented with on install. To view what packages are installed in an option, just do:
- Code: Select all
tasksel --task-packages packagename
That command can be ran as a normal user too, so you can list options without accidentally affecting your software installations.
The command "tasksel --help" will provide you with more options. For the "laptop" option you asked about, mine says the following packages are installed:
wireless-tools
acpi-support
cpufrequtils
acpi
wpasupplicant
powertop
acpid
apmd
pcmciautils
pm-utils
anacron
avahi-autoipd
bluetooth