Package. A file that contains everything needed to install, de-install, and run a particular program. The program that handles packages is dpkg. dselect is a front-end to dpkg. Experienced users often use dpkg to install or remove a package.
Package names. All package names have the form xxxxxxxxxxx.deb. Sample package names include the following:
◼ efax_08a-1.deb ◼ lrzsz_0.12b-1.deb ◼ mgetty_0.99.2-6.deb ◼ minicom_1.75-1.deb ◼ term_2.3.5-5.deb ◼ uucp_1.06.1-2.deb ◼ uutraf_1.1-1.deb ◼ xringd_1.10-2.deb ◼ xtel_3.1-2.deb
Your system is now installed! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done! Now it’s time to start using the system. In this chapter, we introduce you to the Debian command line, some security principles, and how to exit the system. In later chapters, we’ll go into more detail on these topics and introduce you to the Debian graphical interface, X11.
After you quit dselect, you’ll be presented with the login: prompt. You can now log in using the personal login and password you selected; your system is now ready to use. Let’s examine what it means to log in and how this process works.
To use Debian, you must identify yourself to the system. This is so it knows who you are, what you have permission to do, and what your preferences are.
To this end, you have a _username_ or _login_. If you installed Debian yourself, you should have been asked to give such a name during installation. If you are logging on to a system administered by someone else, you’ll have to ask him for an account on the system and a corresponding username.
You also have a password, so no one else can pretend to be you. If you don’t have a password, anyone can log on to your computer from the Internet and do bad things. If you’re worried about security, you should have a password.
Many people prefer to trust others not to do anything malicious with their account; hopefully your work environment doesn’t encourage paranoia. This is a perfectly reasonable attitude; it depends on your personal priorities and your environment. Obviously a home system does not need to be as secure as a military installation. Debian allows you to be as secure or as insecure as you like.
When you start Debian, you’ll see a _prompt:_ a request from the computer for some information. In this case, the prompt is login:.