Installing Gnome
There are a large number of managers to choose from, for simplicity, we're going to install a window manager which is easy to use for beginners. We're also going to install a graphical login manager, to do away with needing those ugly text consoles. The two packages we're going to install for this are "gnome" and "gdm". Gnome is a pretty hefty package, as it comes included with a large number of applications (such as MP3 player, Office programs, web browser, etc). GDM is the Gnome login manager, it provides a fairly customisable graphical login manager, and it will make things a lot easier in the long run. So, as root, "apt-get install gdm gnome". Be ready for a long wait!Eventually, you'll get your first gnome configuration screen:
This doesn't make an awful lot of sense, so just hit enter, then go with the default value. The next screen discusses "cdrecord" - something about a SUID. We don't know what this means, but the screen explains further that it relates to an easier way to allow users to use a CD writer in your system. Yes, in theory it would allow hackers to try and exploit cdrecord to get into your system, but really it's a lot less likely than picking up the Blaster virus in Windows, and will make things easier for you in the long run, so say Yes here. You'll be asked to configure a paper size for printing, so scroll up until you find the one you want (A4 for most people). The next screen mentions a familiar name - Mozilla - and relates to sound output. I'll go more into Sound under Linux in part 3 of this guide, but for now, just pick "auto" in here. Next you'll be asked to select a graphical login system to use - remember the GDM we just asked to install? Pick that from the list. You'll be asked again about paper sizes, then finally asked whether you should allow nautilus-media as a video thumbnailer. This is a package for displaying thumbnails of video files, but unlike the same option in Windows it will pick a frame at random so you don't get the black first frame on everything, and it won't crash everything on errors. Hit Yes.
More installing later, and we're set. Ready?