This guide shows how to install GNOME as possible as small, without complicated method.
We do not want to install GNOME selecting packages one-by-one just to make it smaller.
Tip
You should add non-free and contrib on APT sources for drivers if you use modern NVidia or AMD graphic cards.
In this guide, we basically assumes using Intel Core iGPU only.
Rev7
Debian Stretch 9.9 feedbacks. Minor tweaks.
Why GNOME?
This is because X.org server could run as non-root only with gdm3, GNOME Display Manager.
The Xorg server no longer requires root
Only the gdm3 display manager supports running X as a non-privileged user in stretch.
-- Release Notes for Debian 9
So, let us use gdm3, at least.
Install GNOME essentials
This is easy,
root# apt install gnome-core # includes gdm3 and firefox-esr
However, we have to remove legacy xorg video driver for Intel iGPUs.
- It is harmful for video motion quality with modern Intel Core iGPU.
- If you use Intel 6th generation Core architecture, you must do it.
Take a look at what xserver-xorg-video-intel says.
The use of this driver is discouraged if your hw is new enough (ca. 2007 and newer). You can try uninstalling this driver and let the server use it's builtin modesetting driver instead.
—from "xserver-xorg-video-intel" package, Debian GNU/Linux
It's for old Intel iGPUs, about 12 years ago.
We assume modern Intel Core CPU. Let us remove it for better quality.
root# apt purge xserver-xorg-video-intel
Debian Buster status : Rev2
It seems standard nouveau driver can barely display with GeForce 10x0 series.
It' very slow. You have to install non-free nvidia-driver for them (even Buster).
Alternatives
There are other ways to install GNOME suite.
- task-gnome-desktop package
- This contains almost everything; it is too large, though it is simple.
- gnome package
- This might be smaller than above, but it still contains games, etc.
Hence, as a GUI for workstations (terminal, browser, office suite, and etc.), gnome-core is better than gnome package.
Applications (optional)
Mozilla Firefox-ESR is included in the gnome-core package.
So, it is almost about GUI-MUA and Office suite, etc.
We recommend Mozilla Thunderbird and LibreOffice.
root# apt install thunderbird # Mozilla Thunderbird
root# apt install libreoffice{,-gnome} # LibreOffice
Those are our favorites. Choose what you want.
Note
With Mozilla Firefox ESR, Thunderbird, and LibreOffice as shown above, /usr is used 1.9GB and /usr/share is used 2.4GB.
Minor tweaks (optional)
We use GNOME almost defaults.
UI Animations
- Hit SUPER and type tweak, launch Tweak Tool.
- Appearance -> Enable animations OFF.
- This makes responses quick and nice.
Tip
If you can increase Intel Core CPU iGPU memory by BIOS, say 1GB, this is not significant.
UI animations are smooth with that video memory amount.
Search
To reduce storage write operations (and if you do not need this feature),
- GNOME setting panel -> Search -> OFF
Internationalization (optional)
For better Unicode (especially Japanese) font display,
root# apt install ttf-unifont fonts-{ipafont,noto}
Debian Buster status
These fonts are not installed by gnome-core. It seems you need to install them manually if you want.
Set Firefox font settings with Google Noto.
- Launch Mozilla Firefox ESR
- General -> Language and Appearance -> Font & Colors
- Advanced -> Fonts for "Japanese"
- Serif/Sans-serif: "Noto Sans CJK JP"
- Monospace: "Noto Sans Mono CJK JP"
This is beautiful, and covers all Unicode characters.
Great thanks, Google and IPA!