Xfce

Debian buster with Xfce desktop environment

I upgraded my Debian box to the latest version, with the default GNOME desktop environment (DE) recently.  Sometimes the computer runs slowly, perhaps consistent with its age.  On searching the cyberworld, several culprits regarding such slowing are pointed out.  Without going any further, my erstwhile DE is found on top, of course apart from the usual suspects (Microsoft, e.g.).  I thus searched for the best DE, one that is not bloated, one that is lean and mean.  I zeroed in on Xfce which was immediately installed.  Many geeks actually recommend it (among others) for lower-end hardware, although it's also useful for the high end computers.

My relationship with computers spreads for less than 40 years, perhaps occasionally during the first quarter of this period, and probably more frequent later with the introduction of the CD-ROM.  The Internet was not available at all!  I think I used Apple DOS and MS-DOS operating systems (OS).  Internet was available in the second quarter, but it was so slow (using the modem) and also expensive.  In this quarter, it was Windows everywhere I looked.  I think I used Windows 3.0, 95, 98 and ME.

The third quarter showed my frustration with Windows prompting my search for an alternative OS.  The software is buggy, not to mention expensive.  I landed with Linux, particularly the free Debian GNU/Linux 3; it was free alright but I spent time reading about the manual pages.  At this time, Linux was still a geeky subject.  I tried several distributions using disk partitions (called multi-boot install).  In this latter period, I used Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 10; in the UNIX-like OSes I tried NetBSD, GNU Hurd, Fedora, YOPER, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu and of course Debian (present).

Some DE I used include Luna, Aero and Fluent for Windows, and Enlightenment, LXDE, Unity and GNOME, and of course, Xfce.  I'm now back to the traditional scene of the good old menu system, simple and easily configured.  Why fix it when it's not broken?

"Xfce embodies the traditional UNIX philosophy of modularity and re-usability. It consists of a number of components that provide the full functionality one can expect of a modern desktop environment. They are packaged separately and you can pick among the available packages to create the optimal personal working environment."

Buster

I recently upgraded my Debian system to its latest stable version codenamed buster, or otherwise called Debian GNU/Linux 10.  The process was almost seamless, contrary to what I expected regarding OS upgrades.  I backed-up my files just to be sure (a good practice anyway), but it was unnecessary.  One glitch occurred because I issued the upgrade command from a graphical console window, and the lockscreen program was updated and presumably inserting the default config values.  Later the lockscreen was activated, and typing the password did not work because the display environment was also upgraded.  To fix the broken upgrade, I was forced to reboot and going into safe or command-line mode.  I then issued dpkg --configure -a to try to fix some configuration problems, and also: apt --fix-broken install.  For the next full-upgrade, go the safe text mode route!

One way to make this process easy is by making a small edit at the /etc/apt/sources.list file.  Instead of putting the codename in the entry (like stretch), use its status name, e.g., stable.  One line in that file shows:

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stretch main contrib non-free

Edit that to:

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable main contrib non-free

Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)

Now you don't have to worry, even if you actually forget which is the latest version of Debian.  The system gets continuous updates just like that.

Now I have a nice working Debian on buster, its latest version, with the accompanying changes in the look and feel of the various programs.  Some updated apps however override the existing config files, and you'll be surprised sometimes.

Way to go Debian team!  Thank you for this brand new working version.  Go Buster!

"No one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.  And no one after drinking old wine desires new; for he says, 'The old is good.'" (Luke 5:37ff RSV)