Post-Install Debian Etch Tips + Tricks

[klhrevolutionist]

I installed debian etch from the xfce install cd. I cannot complain about the disc or the installer, great job ! However getting to the desktop for a user there may be some issues. First I have an older pc so my hardware just works (ha ha new pc users).

$user = your username
------------
The fonts are barely readable: fix by creating /home/$user/.Xresources
and add the following lines:

!*font: -misc-fixed-medium-r-semicondensed--13-120-75-75-c-60-*-*
!*font: -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--13-120-75-75-c-70-*-*
*font: -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--14-130-75-75-c-70-*-*
!*font: -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal--15-140-75-75-c-90-*-*
Xft.dpi: 84
------------

Autologin:
you will want to apt-get remove gdm, kdm, xdm, wdm
and apt-get install rungetty afterwards open /etc/inittab and modify this line 1respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty1
and change it to
1respawn:/sbin/rungetty tty1 --autologin $user

Now edit and to your /home/$user/.bash_profile

Code: Select all

if [ -z "$DISPLAY" ] && [ $(tty) == /dev/tty1 ]; then
while [ 1 == 1 ]
        do
                startx
                sleep 10
        done
fi

========================================



Now concerning the issue of rebooting & shutting down after you have removed these logins manager.. I applied this tweak: Let a common user shutdown/reboot

Afterwards I created a little gui script & menu item to assist me in shutting down & rebooting:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
MSG="`which gxmessage`" || MSG=xmessage

$MSG -buttons "Reboot:1,Shutdown:2,Cancel" -center -title "Quit" "Reboot or Shutdown ?"
case $? in
   1) 'reboot' ;;
   2) 'halt' ;;
  *) exit ;;
esac

Copy and paste into /usr/local/bin name it quit && chmod 755 quit. This script depends on gxmessage (apt-get install gmessage).

-------
Nameservers:
Update your /etc/resolv.conf file by adding these lines & removing the others.

nameserver 208.67.222.222
nameserver 63.226.12.96
nameserver 72.3.208.251

The first nameserver is that of OpenDNS: www.opendns.com
The second is that of OpenNIC: www.opennic.unrated.net
The third nameserver is: www.unifiedroot.com

For udhcpc you can add these lines at the bottom of both 'default.bound' & 'default.renew' Assuming you create a file named resolv.conf.txt in /etc with the alternative dns servers.

rm /etc/resolv.conf
cp /etc/resolv.conf.txt /etc/resolv.conf
---

I have modified the puppy4 'Gradient-grey' gtk2 theme & have included my jwmrc file for those who might wish to use the themes with their configuration.


http://www.2shared.com/file/3350809/23bb3178/theme.html
You will have to put the theme in /usr/share/themes & adjust your .gtkrc-2.0 file or use a theme switching utility.

[rbochan]

...
Autologin:
you will want to apt-get remove gdm, kdm, xdm, wdm
and apt-get install rungetty afterwards open /etc/inittab and modify this line 1respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty1 to
1respawn:/sbin/rungetty tty1 --autologin $user
...

That kicks so much ass it's not even funny.

[hummer010]

...
Autologin:
you will want to apt-get remove gdm, kdm, xdm, wdm
and apt-get install rungetty afterwards open /etc/inittab and modify this line 1respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty1 to
1respawn:/sbin/rungetty tty1 --autologin $user
...

That kicks so much ass it's not even funny.

Seconded.

[synss]

Nice, indeed, but double = (i.e. ==) is bashism, single = should work for bash, zsh, dash, sh...

Code: Select all

if [ -z "$DISPLAY" ] && [ $(tty) = /dev/tty1 ]; then
   while true
   do
      startx --
      sleep 10
   done
fi

[klhrevolutionist]

Updated Tips & Tricks

See tips above.

[klhrevolutionist]

Updated once again: Added "nameserver" howto..

[klhrevolutionist]

*update bump*