Guide to using Debian GNU/Linux

I recommend both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments, this guide is made around the assumption that you are using one of those. However, this could also be used as a reference for general tweaks & tips for any desktop environment.

Script

I made a simple script that you can run on a debian install to customize some basic features like locale, non-free software for nvidia drivers or Steam, it basically automates the steps detailed in this guide for a quicker setup.

Script functionality"

You can select any option by pressing 'y' or skip by pressing anything else or leaving it blank. It currently supports:

De-bloat by removing games, default torrent program, etc.
Add non-free repositories (e.g. for Steam)
Setup custom locales.
Install non-free codecs & fonts (e.g. Arial)
Install Steam
Install flatpak (e.g. for Discord)

In order to run this script, type:

wget -qO extrasel.sh "https://gitlab.com/tavo-wasd/guides/-/raw/main/awesome-software/debian-gnu-linux/extrasel.sh?ref_type=heads" && sudo sh extrasel.sh

Manual steps

Manual update

sudo apt update && apt upgrade -y

De-bloat

sudo apt purge gnome-games gnome-music synaptic transmission-gtk evolution shotwell -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

Non-free repositories

sudo apt-add-repository contrib non-free -y

Custom locales.

First, look for your preferred locale in the available locales with this command:

cat /usr/share/i18n/SUPPORTED

Choose the locale you prefer, and run:

echo "CHOSENLOCALE" | sudo tee -a '/etc/locale.gen'
# For EXAMPLE: echo "es_CR.UTF-8 UTF-8" | su...

You can add as many locales as you want. Then, generate the locales selected by running:

sudo locale-gen

Non-free codecs & fonts

sudo apt install vlc libavcodec-extra ttf-mscorefonts-installer

(Extra) Nvidia drivers

sudo apt install nvidia-driver

Steam

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 # Add 32bit packages
sudo apt update                   # Apply changes
sudo apt install mesa-vulkan-drivers libglx-mesa0:i386 mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386 libgl1-mesa-dri:i386
sudo apt install steam-installer

Flatpak (e.g. for Discord)

sudo apt install flatpak
# sudo apt install plasma-discover-backend-flatpak # For KDE users
# sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak   # For GNOME users

Remember flatpak is just a packaging format, flathub is just a popular repository for software where you can find official builds for Discord or Telegram Desktop, and unofficial builds for Miscrosoft Teams or VSCode. You can add the 'flathub' repository this way:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Restart

You should restart your computer after applying this changes, especially for flatpak and gpu drivers.

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