B.1 Common Difficulties
This section provides some tips for handling some of the most frequently experienced difficulties users have encountered.
B.1.1 Working with Strangely-Named Files
Occasionally, you may find that you have accidentally created a file that contains a character not normally found in a filename. Examples of this could include a space, a leading hyphen, or maybe a quotation mark. You may find that accessing, removing, or renaming these files can be difficult.
Here are some tips to help you:
◼ Try enclosing the filename in single quotation marks, like this:
less ’File With Spaces.txt’
◼ Insert a ./ before the filename:
less ’./-a strange file.txt’
◼ Use wildcards:
less File?With?Spaces.txt
◼ Use a backslash before each unusual character:
less File\ With\ Spaces.txt
B.1.2 Printing
One common source of trouble is the printing system in Debian. Traditionally, printing has been a powerful but complex aspect of Unix. However, Debian makes it easier. An easy way to print is with the package called magicfilter. magicfilter will ask you a few questions about your printer and then configure it for you. If you are having troubles printing, give magicfilter a try.
B.1.3 X Problems
Many questions revolve around X. Here are some general tips for things to try if you are having difficulties setting up the X Window system: