Mint and Debian sources.list

[dtoffe]

Hi all,
I have a new box recently installed with Debian Stable, but I would like to try Mint. Is it possible to do so by modifying sources.list to point to Linux Mint repositories ?? Is it possible to "uninstall" Mint by going back to Debian repos (lets say Testing). I know I can try a virtual machine, dual booting etc, just want to know it replacing sources.list would work.
Cheers,
Daniel

[Oscar799]

Moved here by moderator

[zerozero]

yes, you can, but first you have to update your debian stable to testing see from here why

after that is just a matter of adding the repos, adding the key and start adding the pkgs you want.

note: mind you that for a better experience and to prevent surprises debian.multimedia has to be added as well.

[dtoffe]

Thanks zerozero.
Ok, now I've updated to testing, my source.list contains this:

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing-proposed-updates main contrib non-free
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing main non-free

but when I type cat /etc/debian_version I see "wheezy/sid", why sid if everything there is testing ??
What repositories ahould I add to this file to get Linux Mint Debian Edition with MATE/Cinnamon ??
BTW, this is the first time I see Gnome 3 interface... ohh boy, now I understand all the complaints...

Cheers,
Daniel

[craigevil]

See viewtopic.php?f=197&t=79533

Also remove the proposed-updates line and the security line from your sources.list.

[zerozero]

a easier way
my sources.list are

Code: Select all

inxi -Sr
System:    Host: amadeu Kernel: 3.2.0-2-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: Gnome Distro: Linux Mint Debian Edition
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list
           deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main import backport romeo upstream
           deb-src http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main import backport romeo upstream #Added by software-properties
           deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian testing main contrib non-free
           deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian testing main contrib non-free
           deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free
           deb-src http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free
           deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing main non-free
           deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing main non-free
           deb http://tridex.net/repo/debian/ wheezy main


with this you have access to cinnamon (apt-get install cinnamon) and mate (apt-get install mate-desktop-environment)
here you have a web-interface of the mint-debian repo

[dtoffe]

Thanks zerozero, do I really need the deb-src lines, or these are just for debian packages' developers ?

Daniel

[zerozero]

unless you're going to compile, no you don't.

[dtoffe]

Hi,
Did as you said, installed cinnamon and mate-desktop-environment without problem, but something is not right imho. The desktop looks just the same as before with plain Debian testing, but lots of applicacion items in the Applications menu are duped. Any idea ?
Thanks,
Daniel

[zerozero]

let's see:
- you logged out and picked another DE in gdm3? (sorry if this obvious but ...)
- you should have there cinnamon, mate, gnome and gnome classic as options (at least, this if you didn't install any other DE/WM)
- which DE is not working (if you are picking/choosing it in gdm3?) cinnamon? it requires 3D acceleration, so you have to check your graphics card and the drivers. mate should always work (as gnome-classic aka fallback-mode works), if the "old" gnome2 works, mate should as well.

[dtoffe]

let's see:
- you logged out and picked another DE in gdm3? (sorry if this obvious but ...)

Hehe, that's why I'm in the newbie section...
I've picked mate now, it looks pretty. Many menu entries are duplicated but that's not a big problem.
Thanks for all your help.
Daniel

[zerozero]

if you're going to "play" with mate this > http://wiki.mate-desktop.org/applications might be interesting
in this particular situation mozo (the former alacarte) is the right tool