Tutorial II: Essential packages for Debian 12, MX 23 and more

In the previous post to this one, we shared our usual first tutorial of 3, about how to update via terminal and what useful packages to install on top of the newly released stable versions of Debian GNU/Linux and MX Linux. Which, this year are Debian 12 Bookworm and MX Linux 23 Libretto.

And since, in this first tutorial the packages were more focused on complementing and improving a basic Debian/MX operating system of a standard GNU/Linux user, now in this Walkthrough II we will focus on those slightly more essential or universal packages which should definitely be installed for a slightly more advanced user, both home and office. In such a way, that your personal or professional office activities can be covered by your GNU/Linux Distro on your current computer, no matter how old or new it is.

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

But, before starting reading this post about this new and practical Tutorial II on "essential packages to install on Debian 12 and MX 23", we recommend the previous related post for later reading:

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

List of essential packages for Debian 12 and MX 23

Command commands and packages for further optimization

Remember that, as in the previous tutorial and the following one, the list of packages to mention, which have their names updated, and are suggested and recommended by use categories or objectives/tasks, they do not necessarily have to be installed all at oncei.e. together.

The ideal or ideal would be to learn from each one of them, what they are for and how they can be used, either through online documentation, such as the Debian Manpages and Debian stable package list or other websites. To then decide if it would really be useful or necessary in the immediate or future on your installed operating system based on Debian 12 Bookworm.

And these are the following:

Video and audio support

sudo apt install xserver-xorg-video-all libva-drm2 libva-glx2 libva-wayland2 libva-x11-2 libva2
sudo apt install ffmpeg ffmpegthumbs ffmpegthumbnailer sound-icons lame libdvdnav4 libdvdread8 libfaac0 libmad0 libmp3lame0 libquicktime2 libstdc++5 libxvidcore4 twolame vorbis-tools x264 gstreamer1.0-alsa gstreamer1.0-adapter-pulseeffects gstreamer1.0-autogain-pulseeffects gstreamer1.0-convolver-pulseeffects gstreamer1.0-crystalizer-pulseeffects gstreamer1.0-espeak gstreamer1.0-fdkaac gstreamer1.0-gl gstreamer1.0-nice gstreamer1.0-pipewire gstreamer1.0-x gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-apps gstreamer1.0-plugins-base gstreamer1.0-plugins-good gstreamer1.0-plugins-rtp gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly gstreamer1.0-pocketsphinx gstreamer1.0-pulseaudio gstreamer1.0-tools gstreamer1.0-vaapi gstreamer1.0-wpe intel-gpu-tools i965-va-driver radeontool radeontop

Office support at the SW/HW level

sudo apt install fonts-arabeyes fonts-cantarell fonts-freefarsi fonts-liberation fonts-lyx fonts-mathjax fonts-oflb-asana-math fonts-opensymbol fonts-sil-gentium fonts-stix myspell-es ooo-thumbnailer xfonts-intl-arabic xfonts-intl-asian xfonts-intl-chinese xfonts-intl-chinese-big xfonts-intl-european xfonts-intl-japanese xfonts-intl-japanese-big ttf-ancient-fonts ttf-anonymous-pro ttf-bitstream-vera ttf-sjfonts ttf-staypuft ttf-summersby ttf-tagbanwa libreoffice libreoffice-dmaths libreoffice-gnome libreoffice-gtk3 libreoffice-help-es libreoffice-java-common libreoffice-l10n-es libreoffice-report-builder-bin libreoffice-style-breeze libreoffice-style-colibre libreoffice-style-elementary libreoffice-style-sifr libreoffice-texmaths mythes-es pdfarranger pdftk
sudo apt install cups cups-backend-bjnp cups-browsed cups-bsd cups-client cups-common cups-core-drivers cups-daemon cups-ipp-utils cups-filters cups-pdf cups-ppdc cups-server-common printer-driver-cups-pdf printer-driver-hpcups python3-cups python3-cupshelpers foomatic-db-compressed-ppds foomatic-db-engine ghostscript-x gocr-tk gutenprint-locales hannah-foo2zjs hpijs-ppds hplip openprinting-ppds printer-driver-all printer-driver-cups-pdf printer-driver-foo2zjs printer-driver-hpcups printer-driver-hpijs libtk8.6 tk tk8.6 xli xsane printer-driver-fujixerox printer-driver-indexbraille printer-driver-oki avahi-utils colord flex g++ libtool sane sane-utils system-config-printer system-config-printer-udev unpaper xsane xsltproc

Improvements of the compatibility with HW and SW (Networks, File Systems and Devices)

sudo apt install cifs-utils dosfstools exfat-fuse exfatprogs fuse3 hfsplus hfsutils hfsutils-tcltk icoutils ideviceinstaller ipheth-utils libsmbclient mtools ntfs-3g smbclient samba-common smbnetfs samba samba-common-bin
sudo apt install gtkpod libgpod-common libgpod-cil libgpod4 libmtp-runtime mtp-tools faad mp3gain

Management and monitoring of computer hardware

sudo apt install acpi acpitool acpi-support fancontrol firmware-linux-free hardinfo hwdata hwinfo irqbalance iucode-tool laptop-detect lm-sensors lshw lsscsi smartmontools xsensors intel-microcode amd64-microcode

Bluetooth connectivity hardware management

sudo apt install bluetooth bluez bluez-cups bluez-firmware bluez-tools btscanner

Firmware and hardware drivers for Internet connectivity via Ethernet/WiFi

sudo apt install wireless-tools wpagui wpasupplicant
sudo apt install wifi-qr wireless-tools wpagui wpasupplicant
sudo apt install firmware-atheros
sudo apt install firmware-b43-installer firmware-b43legacy-installer firmware-bnx2 firmware-bnx2x firmware-brcm80211
sudo apt install firmware-intel-sound firmware-iwlwifi
sudo apt install firmware-ralink firmware-realtek

Firmware and hardware drivers for Internet connectivity via USB

sudo apt install mobile-broadband-provider-info modemmanager modem-manager-gui modem-manager-gui-help usb-modeswitch usb-modeswitch-data wvdial

Up to here, we have arrived with the list of essential packages to recommend from our 3 usual tutorials about what to do after installing Debian/MX, in each new stable version available.

How did the selection of these Tutorial II packages for Debian and MX come about?

MilagrOS 3.1: Work is already underway on the second version of the year

In my very personal case, I have chosen these packages for now, since for many years I have had and used a Respin MX that is highly personalized to my taste and needs. Which is also portable and installable, and is called Miracles GNU / Linux. And also, it allows me work optimally with little or no Internet in any circumstance and computer, thanks precisely to its coarse parcel installed.

Future visual aspect of the Respin MX called MilagrOS 4.0

Respin MX that I also share with the Linuxera Community with mere demonstration, educational and learning purposes (About GNU/Linux, Bash Scripting, Linux customization and creating Respines with MX/antiX). Although, I hope to release a future version 4.0 soon, which will make it a Totally clean, basic, functional and universal Respin MX. That is, on a really usable MX Linux OS without any major or relevant customization on me. So that it can be used by anyone within the Linux community, in general.

Although, ideally, those who decide to use MX/antiX should do so from a pure ISO and from scratch. In such a way, that they design their own Respin Linuxero to their liking and needs. Either by following our MX Snapshot Tool Tutorial or the updated indications of the MX/antiX Community on the subject. What to this day has made it possible for there to be many Official MX Respins and unofficial like mine.

Upgrading MX-21 / Debian-11: Additional Packages and Apps – Part 3

Summary

In short, we hope this Walkthrough II just like the first one packages to install on “Debian 12 Bookworm or MX 23 Libretto” or other similar and compatible Distros, contribute to everyone having a more solid, stable and complete free and open operating system. And that it is also really a useful guide for those beginners and newbies to GNU/Linux. Which, tend to constantly seek to increase their knowledge about the Debian GNU/Linux package.

Lastly, remember visit our «homepage» and join our official channel of Telegram to explore more news, guides and tutorials. And also, has this group to talk and learn more about any IT topic covered here.