Change theme and icon of Sparky Linux MinimalGUI

Sparky Linux is a Debian based distro.  Sparky Linux MinimalGUI loaded with Openbox Desktop. So its performance is very fast. Very suitable for the netbook, low profile processors and old computers. The Sparky Linux MinimalGUI loaded with very minimum applications.

ObConf is the default tool to customize the theme. But it has no option to change the icons. The user can install another app called lxappearance and control the look and feel. Apply the following command to install the lxappearance tool;

sudo apt install lxapperance

The tool will appear at Applications > Settings > Customize Look and Feel

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Install MATE desktop on Debian

Ambiant-MATE theme on Debian 8 (Jessie).

It tried to install MATE Desktop on Debian 8 (Jessie) and Debian 9 (Stretch). I installed Debian XFCE from CD. Visit Debian Download page to get CD. XFCE desktop is not beautiful. So I decided to install Ubuntu MATE Desktop. Then installed Ubunt MATE Theme. Ubuntu MATE theme is very shiny.

1. Installation of MATE desktop on Debian

Here is the command to install standard MATE Desktop.You can try minimal desktop also. Visit MATE Desktop installation page.

su
apt-get install mate-desktop-environment

2. Download Ubuntu MATE theme packages
Apply following lines one by one in the command terminal.

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/u/ubuntu-mate-artwork/ubuntu-mate-themes_16.04.6_all.deb

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/h/humanity-icon-theme/humanity-icon-theme_0.6.10_all.deb

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/u/ubuntu-mate-artwork/ubuntu-mate-icon-themes_16.04.6_all.deb

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/u/ubuntu-themes/ubuntu-mono_14.04+16.04.20160415-0ubuntu1_all.deb

3. Download wallpaper packages

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/u/ubuntu-mate-artwork/ubuntu-mate-wallpapers-common_16.04.6_all.deb

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/u/ubuntu-mate-artwork/ubuntu-mate-wallpapers-xenial_16.04.6_all.deb

wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/u/ubuntu-mate-artwork/ubuntu-mate-wallpapers_16.04.6_all.deb

4. Install the packages

dpkg -i *.deb

5. Logout and change desktop to MATE

6. Change to Ubuntu MATE theme

System > Preferences > Appearance

Select ambiant-MATE theme.

7. Remove XFCE (Optional)
XFCE desktop can be remove after the installation of MATE.

su

apt-get purge xfconf xfce4-utils xfwm4 xfce4-session thunar xfdesktop4 exo-utils xfce4-panel xfce4-terminal

apt-get autoremove

Install MATE Network manager,

apt-get install network-manager-gnome

Make sure lightdm installed.

apt-get install lightdm

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