My journey with Debian

[Tarzan]

Hello everyone,

 

I've been wanting to switch to Linux from Windows for a long time now. I've tried several flavours of "newbies" Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, ZorinOS and ElementaryOS. But never for long since I needed Windows for the university or for games. But, now, I say "that's enough!" and let's start my journey to Linux. I have chosen Debian. I like the fact it's stable and that they don't release a new version every 4 months (like Linux Mint). Plus it's now possible to easily install the Cinnamon DE from the installation, and I love Cinnamon from the time I was playing with Linux Mint.

 

Day 1: Today is the day! I went to the Debian website, downloaded Debian 8 aka "Jessie" and installed it onto my new SSD. For now I keep my Windows 10 partition, just in case, and to play my two beloved games (Age of Empires II and Worm.is).The installation went smoothly, for the most part. I had to install Debian twice since the first time, it wouldn't boot once the installation was complete (first time boot). The second time, I've not encountered any issue. Sweet! So, here I am with my new Debian OS. The first challenge is right ahead of me: the screen resolution is only HD and not WQHD (2560*1440p). Well, "that's not a problem, I can handle this" I'm saying to myself. WRONG. I have an Asus Strix Nvidia GTX 970 GPU. So I look on Google to find how I should install Nvidia's proprietary driver. I find on Debian the command on how to download it: https://wiki.debian.org/NvidiaGraphicsDrivers#Debian_8_.22Jessie.22

 

But my apt-get doesn't work. Why? I went back on Google. I find out that I need to add more sources to my "sources" file (etc/apt/sources). During the installation, I chose "ftp.belnet.be/debian/" (I'm from Belgium), but it appears that source doesn't allow me to install anything. So I try to change that source to "ftp.fr.debian.org/debian" (from France). But when I try to edit the sources file, I cannot edit it! Damn. So... Back on Google, I find out about VIM or NANO. Great. I try nano on the terminal, and miracle! I can edit the sources file. I save everything and, finally, the "apt-get install xxx" works. I install the Nvidia driver, restart the computer, and tadaa, here is my mighty WQHD resolution (BenQ 3200PT):

 

Day 2: So, I have my Debian OS installed. Now I need to install several things. First, the Citrix Receiver to be able to work from my own computer and not from the tiny Dell Laptop from my work. After having installed the Citrix Receiver, when I try to open it through Firefox, it would not launch. Great, another challenge! I look on Google, and it seems that I need to make Firefox's certificates accessibles to Citrix in order to launch it: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1975705&p=11916234#post11916234 So I run the command and, once again, Citrix works. Having Windows through a Debian computer, I find it fairly great :).

 

That same day, I want to watch the Red Devils on the RTBF website (belgian TV through internet). But my computer appears as it is in France and not Belgium. Probably because I have chosen the locale fr_FR (I have a french layout keyboard, not a belgian one). So, I use once again Nano to edit etc/default/locale. I restart the computer. Right after booting into Debian, it says the locale changed and that the folder's names have changed to the right langage (French to English apparently ("Téléchargements" to "Downloads", "Musique" to "Music", etc.). But when I try to launch the terminal, it won't launch. What now... I look on Google, and I see many topics stating the same issue after changing the locale file: https://forum.antergos.com/topic/2555/terminal-stopped-working-after-changing-the-locale-conf/2 and http://askubuntu.com/a/743377

I want to change back the locale back to the original one, but since I cannot launch the terminal, how am I suppose to edit the file?! I scratch my head, and think that I could probably install a new software acting as the terminal. But how to install softwares without terminal? I look on Google, and find out I have to use "Synaptic". I install Terminator through Synaptic, that allows me to change my locale back. I reboot, and finally I can access my terminal. That doesn't solve the initial issue (unable to watch belgian TV) but hey, I can live without it.

[Tarzan]

Days 3-5: I'm starting to get used to Debian. I have installed without any issue Latex (TeXLive and TexMaker). My first document compiled properly, so I'm all good :). I have also installed Steam. None of my games are available on Linux (Age of Empires II, Worm.is, Mitos.is), and that's the only reason why I'm keeping my Windows 10 SSD. I went on the Steam store for the Linux platform and downloaded Dota 2 and War Thunder. Dota 2 is boring, but War Thunder is just plain awesome!

 

So, during these first days with Debian, the key is to use Google. Pretty obvious, right? Well, I have read many times that Debian shouldn't be advised for a beginner (unlike Mint, Zorin, or Ubuntu), but from my experience it's just as easy with a little bit of common sense.

[Tarzan]

@Name Taken Thanks, will be useful later :).