Operation Manual

The software provided with the Debian distribution is split into themed categories. To view these categories, you can left-click
the menu icon, located on the bottom-left of the screen in LXDE (see Figure 2-1).
Figure 2-1: The LXDE desktop, as loaded on the Debian Raspberry Pi distribution
The following lists describe the software packages, grouped by category.
Accessories
• Debian Reference—A built-in reference guide, this provides a detailed explanation of the Debian Linux distribution and how
programmers can contribute to its development.
• File Manager—The PCManFM file manager provides a graphical browser for files stored on the Pi or any connected
storage device.
• Image Viewer—The GPicView lets you view images, such as those from a digital camera or on a connected storage device.
• Leafpad—This is a simple text editor, which is useful for making quick notes or writing simple programs.
• LXTerminal—This LXDE terminal package allows you to use the Linux command line in a window without leaving the
graphical user interface.
• Root Terminal—Similar to LXTerminal, the Root Terminal automatically logs you in as the root super-user account in order
to carry out system maintenance tasks unavailable to a regular user account.
• Xarchiver—If you need to create or extract compressed files, such as ZIP archives, this is the tool for the job.
Education
• Scratch—A graphical programming language aimed at young children. You’ll learn more about Scratch and its capabilities
in Chapter 10, “An Introduction to Scratch”.
• Squeak—The platform on which Scratch runs. You will rarely need to use this menu entry, and should instead use the
Scratch entry above.
Internet
• Midori—A fast yet lightweight web browser, Midori is equivalent to Internet Explorer in Windows or to Safari on OS X.
• Midori Private Browsing—Clicking on this menu entry loads the Midori web browser in private mode, meaning that sites
you visit aren’t saved into the browser’s history.
• NetSurf Web Browser—An alternative to Midori, NetSurf can perform better on certain types of web page. Trying both
will allow you to experiment and find the one which works best for you.
Programming