Useful packages to install on Debian 12, MX 23 and other similar ones

A few months ago (June 2023) the Debian Project has updated and released to the general public, the new version of its free and open operating system called Debian. which was called Debian 12 (Bookworm)Since then, we have seen, as is customary, the update and release of many other versions of Debian-based GNU/Linux distros, such as: MX Linux with its version 23, antiX 23, Q4OS 5.2, among many others.

Also, here at "From Linux», as is also the tradition for many years, every time a new stable version of Debian/MX We offer you a series of small and updated tutorials with a respective list of packages to install. Which can be very useful for both distributions, and other similar and well-known ones, such as the case of «antiX», and others based on Debian GNU/Linux. And we choose Debian because it is one of the most well-known and widely used parent distributions globally, and «MX/antiX» For being great distributions that allow you to quickly create Respins (live, installable, customizable, lightweight, and modern operating systems, with or without persistence). This is really useful for a single person, a group, or a community.

MX-21: How to update and optimize this Distro based on Debian 11?

But, before starting reading this post about this new and practical first tutorial on “useful packages to install on Debian 12 and MX 23”, we recommend the previous related post for later reading:

MX-21: How to update and optimize this Distro based on Debian 11?

List of useful packages for Debian 12 and MX 23

Commands and packages to update and optimize Debian 12 and MX 23

Next, and as in past years, we will show you a command and package command list, updated, suggested and recommended by categories of use or objectives/tasks, so that each one examine and install without major problems, those that you consider useful or important, on a GNU/Linux Distro Debian 12 / MX 23, with the XFCE desktop environment preferably.

We have always done this this way, since, XFCE is usually the default desktop environment in Debian/MX, and furthermore, it is one of the lightest, customizable, modern, stable and compatible with other desktop environments and window managers, and their native applications. Furthermore, the list is designed for those who could then, by any means, create a highly functional Respin based on Debian/MX.

The development of Debian 12 has taken 1 year, 9 months and 28 days to complete. And now includes more than 11.089 new packages, 43.254 packages updated and 6.296 packages removed, for a final total of 64.419 packages in their repositories. Debian 12 Bookworm Has Been Released: Release Details

In consecuense, the steps to follow in this first stage (tutorial), to leave our recently installed as updated and complete as possible Debian 12 / MX 23 operating system with XFCE are the following:

Update the newly installed Operating System

sudo apt install aptitude apt-xapian-index
sudo apt update; sudo update-apt-xapian-index; sudo aptitude safe-upgrade; sudo apt install -f; sudo dpkg --configure -a; sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo update-grub; sudo update-grub2; sudo aptitude clean; sudo aptitude autoclean; sudo apt-get autoremove; sudo apt autoremove; sudo apt purge; sudo apt remove

Complement the newly installed XFCE Desktop Environment

sudo apt install appmenu-gtk2-module appmenu-gtk3-module ayatana-indicator-application xfce4-appfinder xfce4-appmenu-plugin xfce4-battery-plugin xfce4-clipman xfce4-clipman-plugin xfce4-cpufreq-plugin xfce4-cpugraph-plugin xfce4-datetime-plugin xfce4-dict xfce4-diskperf-plugin xfce4-docklike-plugin xfce4-eyes-plugin xfce4-fsguard-plugin xfce4-genmon-plugin xfce4-goodies xfce4-panel xfce4-panel-profiles xfce4-helpers xfce4-indicator-plugin xfce4-mailwatch-plugin xfce4-mount-plugin xfce4-mpc-plugin xfce4-multiload-ng-plugin xfce4-netload-plugin xfce4-notes xfce4-notes-plugin xfce4-notifyd xfce4-places-plugin xfce4-power-manager xfce4-power-manager-data xfce4-power-manager-plugins xfce4-pulseaudio-plugin xfce4-screenshooter xfce4-sensors-plugin xfce4-session xfce4-settings xfce4-smartbookmark-plugin xfce4-sntray-plugin xfce4-sntray-plugin-common xfce4-systemload-plugin xfce4-taskmanager xfce4-terminal xfce4-timer-plugin xfce4-verve-plugin xfce4-wavelan-plugin xfce4-weather-plugin xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin xfce4-windowck-plugin xfce4-xkb-plugin xfdashboard xfdashboard-plugins

Complement the newly installed MX Linux Workbench

sudo apt install mx23-archive-keyring mx23-artwork mx-apps mx-boot-options mx-bootrepair mx-cleanup mx-codecs mx-comfort-themes mx-conky mx-conky-data mx-datetime mx-debian-firmware mx-desktop-menu-l10n mx-dockmaker mx-docs mx-goodies mx-gpg-keys mx-greybird-themes mx-icons-start mx-idesktool mx-idevice-mounter mx-installer mx-iphone mx-iso-template mx-live-usb-maker mx-menu-editor mx-network-assistant mx-packageinstaller mx-packageinstaller-pkglist mx-remaster mx-remastercc mx-repo-list mx-repo-manager mx-select-sound mx-service-manager mx-snapshot mx-sound-theme-borealis mx-sound-theme-fresh-and-clean mx-system mx-system-sounds mx-tools mx-tour mx-tweak mx-tweak-data mx-usb-unmounter mx-user mx-viewer mx-welcome mx-welcome-data user-installed-packages

Improve newly installed Debian CLI/GUI environment

sudo apt install alacarte lolcat neofetch toilet figlet tasksel tasksel-data
sudo apt install arj bzip2 gzip lhasa liblhasa0 lzip lzma p7zip p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils rar unace unar unrar unrar-free tar unzip xz-utils zip
sudo apt install alien curl debian-keyring debian-archive-keyring htop lynx net-tools rpm rpm-i18n screen ssh testdisk w3m w3m-img
sudo apt install alacarte bleachbit camera.app cdrskin converseen dcraw dvd+rw-tools dvdauthor file-roller gimp gimp-data-extras gimp-gutenprint gimp-help-es gnome-disk-utility gparted gufw imagination kodi kodi-repository-kodi kodi-visualization-spectrum libdvdread8 libdvdnav4 libxm4 lightdm-gtk-greeter-settings lsb-release lsdvd menu-l10n menulibre onboard orca pitivi ooo-thumbnailer plymouth plymouth-themes plymouth-x11 simple-scan software-properties-gtk thunderbird thunderbird-l10n-es-es vlc vlc-plugin-notify vokoscreen-ng xarchiver xscreensaver

Install basic game packages for the Distribution to use

sudo apt install gnome-games gnome-games-app game-data-packager game-data-packager-runtime gnome-cards-data games-adventure games-arcade games-board games-card games-chess games-console games-education games-emulator games-finest games-fps games-minesweeper games-mud games-platform games-programming games-puzzle games-racing games-rogue games-rpg games-shootemup games-simulation games-sport games-strategy games-tetris games-tasks games-thumbnails games-toys games-typing

Up to here, we have arrived with the first of our 3 customary tutorials about what to do after installing Debian/MX, in each new stable version available. And very soon, we will share the following.

Optimize MX-21 / Debian-11: Extra Packages by Categories – Part 2

Summary

In short, we hope that this ideal little first list of basic or essential packages to install on «Debian 12 “Bookworm” or MX 23 “Libretto”» or other similar and compatible Distros, be as usual, very useful for everyone. But above all, for those who are usually beginners and novices in GNU/Linux, and seek to efficiently strengthen and complement their operating systems without so many complications.

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