Another (somewhat not new) notebook PC of mine
I got Acer C720 Chromebook this year (2017).
Since it is a good opportunity, I install Debian Stretch (now "testing") to this machine. It took a half of day (including replacing SDD and BIOS, preparation of USB memory for installation, as well as OS installation itself).
Comments on Stretch
My installation didn't have "install-info" package. So, "update-info-dir" didn't work well. I manually installed "install-info" package.
Well, I submitted a bug report: https://bugs.debian.org/850808
USB memory preparation
I had a USB memory for EFI boot, but I realized that it didn't work with standard ROM of Acer C720, which only supports legacy Boot (not EFI).
Reading the Debian Installation Guide, especially the section "4.3.3. Manually copying files to the USB stick — the flexible way", I prepared my USB memory with 8GB capacity.
I used: install-mbr, mkdosfs and syslinux. Then, I put vmlinuz and initrd.gz on the USB memory, and wrote syslinux.cfg.
Since Stretch is not yet stable release, I downloaded "debian-testing-amd64-DVD-1.iso" of weekly-builds onto the USB memory.
Installation
I installed Debian Stretch in English, with timezone Asia/Tokyo. The locale setting is en_US.UTF-8. I chose : standard "Standard system utilities", desktop "Debian desktop environment" with XFCE, and "SSH server" tasks.
Installation went well, although it didn't detect its wireless hardware (Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Wireless Network Adapter). I did install with "no ethernet".
After installation, it can successfully find wireless hardware.
Customization of /etc/group
I add "gniibe" to adm, mail, dialout, and sudo group.
Customization for keyboard
Even though its keyboard is Japanese one (with double quotation mark above 2), I chose English one (with @-mark above 2). I blind touch in ASCII, I don't see key top.
I change KMAP in /etc/default/keyboard:
KMAP="/etc/kbd-setup"
The content in /etc/kbd-setup is:
keymaps 0-127 keycode 125 = Control
This is for console.
For X Window System, I created /etc/X11/Xsession.d/39x11-xmodmap with:
xmodmap /etc/X11/xmodmap
The content in /etc/X11/xmodmap is:
! keycode 133 = Super_L clear control clear mod4 add control = Control_L Control_R Super_L add mod4 = Hyper_L Super_R
Customization for Touchpad
For touchpad, I need this as /etc/X11/xorg.conf:
Section "InputClass" Identifier "Touchpad peppy cyapa" MatchIsTouchpad "on" MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*" MatchProduct "cyapa" Option "Tapping" "On" EndSection
This enables tapping as button.
Customization for ssh-agent
Since I use gpg-agent to work for ssh-agent service, I disable ssh-agent. I removed the line:
use-ssh-agent
in /etc/X11/Xsession.options.
Initial login
I login to the desktop in English, it created directories such as Desktop, Documents, etc. in my home directory.
Configuration of XFCE
Invoking xfce4-settings-manager ("Settings") from its "Application" menu, I configured:
- Desktop
- Background: Change background image of Desktop
- Menus: Modify "Window List Menu" to disable "Show window list menu on desktop middle click"
- Icons: Icon type = "None" not showing icons on Desktop
- Window Manager
- Style: Change "Theme" to "Daloa" for minimum height of title
- Focus: Change "Focus model" to "Focus follows mouse"
Invoking xfce4-settings-editor "Settings Editor" from xfce4-settings-manager, I configured:
xfwm4
/general/tile_on_move: False
This is important for me not to change Windows size during its move
xfce4-session
I needed to create new entries with False values. See https://bugs.debian.org/791378
- /startup/ssh-agent/enabled: False
- /startup/gpg-agent/enabled: False
Customization of Panels
I place "Panel1" at the top-left of screen with "Application Menu", four launchers (Emacs, Terminal, Browser), Place, Desktop Button, and Window Button.
I place "Panel2" at the top-right of screen with two clocks (Japan and Germany timezone), Notification Area, Battery Monitor, Workspace switch, CPU monitor, PulseAudio Plugin and Action Button.
Packages added after installation
After installation, I added following packages for my system administration:
- sudo
- git
- etckeeper
I added following packages for my daily use:
- emacs25
- install-info
- scdaemon
- ssmtp
- magit
- pidgin
- mumble
I added following packages for my Japanese work:
- fonts-ipafont
- fonts-noto-cjk
- emacs24
- anthy
- egg
That's pretty much important for me.
Adding locales
I add Japanese locale by invoking dpkg-reconfigure:
# dpkg-reconfigure locales
I add ja_JP.UTF-8 and zh_CN.UTF-8, and specify its defaults to C.UTF-8.
Second login
Before second login, I rebooted the computer, since DBUS service needed to know the change of locales support.
Then, I logged in with Japanese, selecting language at lightdm screen.
Non-free
I have to install a non-free package firmware-atheros for Bluetooth.