New machine bringup

Roughly... what I did to bring up a new laptop (Thinkpad T60p)

• Install Debian 5 using the net install CD
  • Choose KDE desktop using Advanced Options, right at the beginning
• Install and configure vpnc
  
• Install Notes 8.5.1 from .deb packages
  • Install t1-xfree86-nonfree and ttf-xfree86-nonfree
  • (use the multiverse repositories from Ubuntu)
  • If you don't do this the fonts used in emails will be really small
    
• Install iceweasel
  • Fix backspace to go back to previous page
  • Install delicious plugin
  • Install adblock plus plugin
    
  • Install Flash 10 from Ubuntu 8.04+ .deb packages
• Install truecrypt
• Install gtk-qt-engine to configure gtk (gnome app) fonts
  
• Put this into ~/.xmodmap:

  remove Lock = Caps_Lock
keysym Caps_Lock = Control_L
add Control = Control_L

Why not use Kubuntu 9.10?

• I like having an /etc/X11/xorg.conf: I know how to configure multiple monitors with that and xrandr
• I like having a /boot/grub/menu.lst, and I don't know yet why that had to change
• Notes 8.5.1 did not work well (could not read email message bodies for some weird reason)

Call me old-fashioned if you like, I just don't see the point of those changes to grub and X. Ubuntu has been making radical changes like this for a few releases now, and though it's fun to be on the cutting edge sometimes, it's inappropriate for machines that you need to depend on. Get back to me when they've shaken out all the bugs.