User's Guide

Abstract

This "User's Guide" is nothing but a reformatted "Progeny User's Guide". Contents are adjusted for the standard Debian system.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2001 by Progeny Linux Systems, Inc.

This document may be used under the terms the GNU General Public License version 2 or higher.

This document was created from GPL version of document at http://archive.progeny.com/progeny/debian/doc which page states as follows:

        Within this directory you will find several forms of the
        Progeny Debian User's Guide.  As of the March 19, 2002 the
        User's Guide is licensed under the terms of the GNU General
        Public License.

This debiandoc-sgml was created from users-guide-html.tar.gz using simple shell and perl scripts with the help of w3m, gpm, vim, mc, etc. .

This content was touched-up slightly by Osamu Aoki [email protected] and those portions are also licensed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Contents

• 1 Introducing Debian
• 1.1 Learning About Linux
• 1.2 Learning About Debian
• 1.3 Learning About Progeny Debian
• 1.4 What is in this Product??
• 1.5 Conventions Used in This Manual
• 1.6 Familiarizing Yourself with Linux
• 2 Preparing to Install Debian
• 2.1 Understanding Your System's Hardware
• 2.1.1 Finding Sources of Hardware Information
• 2.1.2 Gathering Hardware Information
• 2.1.3 Checking Hardware Compatibility
• 2.1.4 Meeting Minimum Hardware Requirements
• 2.2 Gathering Information About Linux Device Names
• 2.2.1 Understanding Device Names
• 2.2.2 Finding Information About Partitions
• 2.2.3 Understanding Windows Device Names
• 2.2.4 Understanding Linux Device Names
• 2.2.5 Reading Linux Device Names
• 2.2.6 Translating Windows Names to Linux Names
• 2.3 Backing Up Your System
• 3 Installing Debian
• 3.1 Organizing the Install
• 3.1.1 Preparing for the Install
• 3.1.2 Installing Multiple Operating Systems
• 3.1.3 Preparing a CD or Floppy Installation
• 3.1.4 Changing the Boot Order on IDE Computers
• 3.1.5 Changing the Boot Order on SCSI Computers
• 3.1.6 Installing From a Floppy
• 3.1.7 Installing From a Network
• 3.1.8 Installing Progeny Debian Without a Graphical Display
• 3.1.9 Navigating the Install Program
• 3.1.10 Navigating Without a Mouse
• 3.1.11 Opening a Virtual Terminal for Troubleshooting
• 3.2 Installing the Minimal System
• 3.2.1 Selecting the Installation Target
• 3.2.2 Creating and Editing Partitions
• 3.2.3 Limitations of the Partitioning Tool
• 3.2.4 Working Around Incompatible Partitions
• 3.3 Configuring Your System
• 3.3.1 Starting the Configuration Stage
• 3.3.2 Selecting Options to Configure
• 3.3.3 Setting the Date And Time
• 3.3.4 Configuring Users and Passwords
• 3.3.5 Choosing a Secure Password
• 3.3.6 Setting the Root Password
• 3.3.7 Creating a Regular User Account
• 3.3.8 Configuring Password Levels
• 3.3.9 Configuring the Video Card
• 3.3.10 Configuring the Monitor
• 3.3.11 Setting the Desktop Graphic Display
• 3.3.12 Configuring the Pointer
• 3.3.13 Setting Advanced Graphic Display Options
• 3.3.14 Configuring Electronic Mail
• 3.3.15 Configuring Printers
• 3.3.16 Configuring the Network
• 3.4 Selecting Software to Install
• 3.5 Installing Software From the Extras CD
• 4 Starting and Stopping the System and Graphical Interface
• 4.1 Working With User Accounts
• 4.1.1 Understanding Regular User Accounts
• 4.1.2 Understanding the Root Account
• 4.2 Logging in to Debian
• 4.2.1 Logging in Graphically
• 4.2.2 Logging in from a Command Line
• 4.3 Shutting Down Debian
• 4.3.1 Shutting Down from the Desktop
• 4.3.2 Shutting Down From the Command Line
• 4.3.3 Shutting Down From the Keyboard
• 4.4 Starting and Shutting Down the Graphical Interface
• 4.4.1 Starting a Graphical Interface From the Command Line
• 4.4.2 Exiting the Graphical Interface
• 4.4.3 Keeping the X Window System Running in the Background
• 4.4.4 Closing Down an X Window System
• 4.5 Changing User Accounts
• 5 Getting to Know the Command Line
• 5.1 Why Use the Command Line?
• 5.2 Starting a Command Line
• 5.3 Entering Commands
• 5.3.1 Understanding the Parts of a Command
• 5.3.2 Understanding Command Structures
• 5.3.3 Understanding Common Options
• 5.3.4 Entering Multiple File Names for a Command
• 5.3.5 Entering Commands with Strings
• 5.3.6 Using Metacharacters or Wild Cards
• 5.3.7 Entering Multiple Commands
• 5.3.8 Combining Commands
• 5.3.9 Running Programs in the Background
• 5.3.10 Stopping Commands from Running
• 5.4 Navigating the Command Line
• 5.4.1 Changing directories
• 5.4.2 Reading the Contents of Directories
• 5.4.3 Identifying Types of Directory Listings
• 5.4.4 Finding Your Current Location
• 5.4.5 Clearing the Screen
• 5.5 Using Command Line Shortcuts
• 5.5.1 Using Tab Completion
• 5.5.2 Using Command History
• 5.5.3 Using Text Pasting
• 5.5.4 Using Command Aliases
• 5.5.5 Abbreviating File Path Names
• 5.5.6 Redirecting Input and Output for Commands
• 5.5.7 Using Environment Variables
• 5.6 Finding Help for Commands
• 5.6.1 Using man Pages
• 5.6.2 Using Info Documents
• 5.6.3 Using whatis
• 6 Getting to Know the Desktop
• 6.1 Understanding Graphical Interfaces
• 6.2 Getting to Know the Parts of the Default Desktop
• 6.2.1 The Menus
• 6.2.2 The Panel
• 6.2.3 The File Manager
• 6.2.4 The Workspaces
• 6.3 Finding Your Way Around the Desktop
• 6.3.1 Using A Three Button Mouse
• 6.3.2 Using the Desktop Pop-Up Menus
• 6.3.3 Using Keyboard Shortcuts
• 6.3.4 Manipulating Windows
• 6.3.5 Reading Icon Properties
• 6.3.6 Opening A Command Line
• 7 Making the Desktop Your Own
• 7.1 Configuring Monitor Color Display
• 7.2 Customizing General Settings for GNOME and Sawfish
• 7.3 Customizing Program Launchers
• 7.3.1 Adding Launchers
• 7.3.2 Deleting Launchers
• 7.3.3 Recreating Default Launchers
• 7.3.4 Positioning Desktop Launchers Automatically
• 7.4 Customizing General Desktop Behavior
• 7.5 Customizing the Panel
• 7.5.1 Adding Applets to the Panel
• 7.6 Customizing the Menu
• 7.7 Customizing Individual Windows
• 7.8 Starting Files With Programs: Setting MIME Types
• 7.8.1 Adding MIME Types
• 7.8.2 Editing a MIME Type
• 7.8.3 Deleting a MIME Type
• 8 Searching for Files and Text
• 8.1 Understanding Linux Files
• 8.1.1 Understanding Linux Names
• 8.1.2 Understanding File Extensions in Linux
• 8.2 Introducing the Linux Directory Structure
• 8.2.1 Using Directories to Find Files
• 8.2.2 Understanding Absolute and Relative File Paths
• 8.3 Searching from the Desktop
• 8.3.1 Using the find Command From the Desktop
• 8.3.2 Using the locate Command From the Desktop
• 8.3.3 Searching From the GNOME Midnight Commander
• 8.4 Searching From the Command Line
• 8.4.1 Searching for Files: Using the find Command
• 8.4.2 Searching for Files From the Command Line Using the locate Command
• 8.4.3 Searching for Text From the Command Line: Using grep Commands
• 8.4.4 Using Metacharacters With grep Commands
• 8.5 Viewing Files From the Desktop
• 8.6 Viewing Files From the Command Line
• 8.6.1 Viewing Short Files: Using the cat Command
• 8.6.2 Viewing Files with Scrolling: Using the less Command
• 8.6.3 Viewing Files Backwards: Using the tac Command
• 8.6.4 Viewing the Start of Files: Using the head Command
• 8.6.5 Viewing the End of Files: Using the tail Command
• 8.7 Comparing Files from the Command Line
• 8.7.1 Making Simple Comparisons of Files: Using the comm Command
• 8.7.2 Making Complex Comparisons: Using the diff Command
• 8.7.3 Comparing Three Files: Using the diff3 Command
• 9 Working with Directories, Files, and Links
• 9.1 Creating New Files From the Desktop
• 9.2 Creating New Files From the Command Line
• 9.3 Creating New Directories From the Desktop
• 9.4 Creating New Directories From the Command Line
• 9.5 Selecting Files From the Desktop
• 9.6 Selecting Multiple Files From the Command Line
• 9.7 Copying Files From the Desktop
• 9.8 Copying From the Command Line
• 9.9 Moving Files From the Desktop
• 9.10 Moving Files From the Command Line
• 9.11 Renaming Files From the Desktop
• 9.12 Renaming Files From the Command Line
• 9.13 Deleting Files From the Desktop
• 9.13.1 Deleting Files Permanently
• 9.13.2 Moving To the Trash
• 9.13.3 Restoring From the Trash
• 9.14 Deleting Files From the Command Line
• 9.15 Merging Files
• 9.15.1 Merging Using a Viewing Command
• 9.15.2 Merging Files Using the diff3 Command
• 9.16 Working With Symbolic Links
• 9.16.1 Viewing Symbolic Links From the Desktop
• 9.16.2 Viewing Symbolic Links From the Command Line
• 9.16.3 Adding Links From the Desktop
• 9.16.4 Adding Links From the Command Line
• 9.17 Changing Owners
• 9.17.1 Changing Owners From the Desktop
• 9.17.2 Changing Owners From the Command Line
• 9.18 Changing Groups
• 9.18.1 Changing Groups From the Desktop
• 9.18.2 Changing Groups From the Command Line
• 9.19 Changing Permissions
• 9.19.1 Viewing Permissions From the Desktop
• 9.19.2 Viewing Permissions From the Command Line
• 9.19.3 Changing Permissions from the Desktop
• 9.19.4 Changing Permissions From the Command Line
• 9.19.5 Changing File Date and Time Attributes
• 9.19.6 Setting Special File Attributes
• 10 Reading System Information
• 10.1 Reading System Information From the Desktop
• 10.1.1 Using System Information from the Desktop: Using the System Info Tool
• 10.1.2 Viewing Process Information from the Desktop: Using the gtop Command
• 10.1.3 Viewing User Information from the Desktop: Using the gw Command
• 10.1.4 Using the Monitor Applets
• 10.2 Using Command Line Tools
• 10.2.1 Commands for Reading System Information
• 10.2.2 Commands for Reading Memory Information
• 10.2.3 Commands for Reading Process Information
• 10.2.4 Commands for Reading User Information
• 10.2.5 Reading /proc Files
• 10.3 Reading Log Files
• 10.3.1 Reading Standard Log Files From the Desktop
• 10.3.2 Reading Standard Log Files From the Command Line
• 10.3.3 Reading Non-Standard Log Files
• 10.3.4 Creating Custom Logs Using Redirection
• 11 Installing, Removing, and Upgrading Software
• 11.1 Understanding Packages
• 11.2 Understanding Package Management Tools
• 11.3 Understanding Debian Package Management
• 11.3.1 Understanding the Life Cycle of a Package
• 11.3.2 Understanding Package Information
• 11.3.3 Finding Package Management Files
• 11.3.4 Understanding Package Statuses
• 11.4 Understanding Selection States
• 11.4.1 Understanding Package Flags
• 11.5 Installing and Removing Package Sets With gnome-apt-pkgset
• 11.6 Installing and Removing Packages With the apt-pkgset Command
• 11.7 Installing and Removing Packages With the apt-get Command
• 11.8 Editing Source Lists
• 11.8.1 Adding a New Source Using an Interface
• 11.8.2 Adding a New Source from a Text Editor
• 11.8.3 Adding a New CD to the List of Sources
• 11.9 Managing Packages With the dpkg Command
• 11.9.1 The dpkg Command (Package Management): Options
• 11.9.2 The dpkg Command (Package Management): Argument
• 11.9.3 The dpkg Command (Package Management): Actions
• 11.10 Installing Unpackaged Software
• 11.11 Making Debian Packages From Other Formats
• 12 Doing Everyday Administration
• 12.1 Managing User Accounts
• 12.1.1 Adding a User Account
• 12.1.2 Deleting a User Account
• 12.1.3 Editing a User Account
• 12.1.4 Changing Individual Passwords
• 12.1.5 Choosing a Password
• 12.2 Managing Groups
• 12.2.1 Reading the /etc/group File
• 12.2.2 Adding a Group
• 12.2.3 Deleting a Group
• 12.2.4 Editing a Group
• 12.3 Managing Printing
• 12.3.1 Checking the Status of Print Jobs
• 12.3.2 Removing Jobs From a Printer Spool
• 12.3.3 Reading the Status of a Printer Spool
• 12.3.4 Printing From the Command Line
• 12.4 Managing Processes
• 12.4.1 Understanding Processes
• 12.4.2 Viewing Active Processes From the Desktop
• 12.4.3 Viewing Active Processes From the Command Line
• 12.4.4 Viewing Intensive Processes
• 12.4.5 Stopping a Process From the Desktop
• 12.4.6 Stopping a Process From the Command Line
• 12.4.7 Setting the Priority for a Process From the Desktop
• 12.4.8 Setting the Priority for a Process From the Command Line
• 12.5 Backing Up and Compressing Files
• 12.5.1 Planning a Backup
• 12.5.2 Choosing a Backup Tool
• 12.5.3 Backing Up and Restoring Using the cpio Command
• 12.6 Scheduling Jobs
• 12.6.1 Scheduling With the crontab Command
• 12.6.2 Scheduling With the at Command
• 12.7 Archiving and Compressing From the Desktop
• 12.8 Compressing and Archiving Files From the Command Line
• 12.8.1 Archiving and Compressing Using the tar Command
• 12.8.2 Compressing and decompressing Files With the gzip Command
• 12.8.3 Compressing and decompressing With the bzip2 Command
• 12.9 Checking or Repairing a File System
• 13 Configuring the System
• 13.1 Understanding Configuration Methods
• 13.1.1 Understanding the System Settings
• 13.1.2 Understanding Manual Configuration
• 13.1.3 Recompiling a Kernel
• 13.2 Configuring Hardware
• 13.2.1 Configuring a Printer
• 13.2.2 Configuring a Sound Card
• 13.2.3 Setting Up Personal Information Devices
• 13.2.4 Setting Up a Scanner
• 13.3 Configuring Partitions
• 13.3.1 Partitioning a Hard Drive
• 13.3.2 Mounting and Unmounting Filesystems
• 13.3.3 Creating a Swap Partition or File
• 13.3.4 Configuring the Boot Loader
• 13.3.5 Making a Bootable Recovery Disk
• 13.4 Configuring Networks
• 13.4.1 Configuring an Ethernet Card
• 13.4.2 Checking a Modem Connection
• 13.4.3 Configuring a Network Connection
• 13.4.4 Preparing to Configure a Network Connection
• 13.4.5 Configuring a Dialup Internet Connection
• 13.4.6 Setting Up E-Mail
• 13.5 Configuring the Graphical Display
• 13.5.1 Configuring a Video Card From the Desktop
• 13.5.2 Configuring a Video Card Manually
• 13.5.3 Configuring a Monitor From the Desktop
• 13.5.4 Configuring a Monitor Profile Manually
• 13.5.5 Setting Display Settings from the Desktop
• 13.5.6 Setting Display Settings Manually
• 13.5.7 Configuring a Pointer From the Desktop
• 13.5.8 Configuring a Pointer Manually
• 13.6 Changing Desktops
• 13.6.1 Changing Window Managers From a Desktop
• 13.6.2 Changing the Keyboard Mapping
• 13.6.3 Changing Window Managers From the Command Line
• 13.6.4 Adding Window Managers to the Login Screen
• 13.7 Changing Other Settings
• 13.7.1 Setting Date and Time From the Desktop
• 13.7.2 Setting Date and Time From the Command Line
• 13.7.3 Setting the Command Shell
• 13.7.4 Adding Fonts
• A Automating Multiple Installs
• A.1 Creating Configuration Files
• A.1.1 Creating the Global Configuration File (global.cfg)
• A.1.2 Creating the debconf Configuration File (debconf.cfg)
• A.1.3 Creating the Network Modules File (netmod.lst)
• A.1.4 Creating the SCSI Module File (scsimod.lst)
• A.1.5 Creating the Network Configuration Database (network.cfg)
• A.1.6 Creating the Partitioning Information File (partinfo.cfg)
• A.1.7 Creating the Package Selection List (select.cfg)
• A.1.8 Creating the Post Installation Script (postinst)
• A.1.9 Creating the Sources List File (sources.lst)
• A.2 Creating the Automated Installer Floppy
• A.3 Starting an Automated Install
• B Acknowledgements and Thanks
• C Contacting Progeny Linux Systems
• D GNU General Public License

User's Guide