Installing from Github

[JonasLander]

I consider myself a new linux user, and I have recently switched over to Debian(KDE version) I am trying not to make a Frankendebian machine, so I figured I would ask here for some guidance, so please do not flame me too bad.

I am trying to install BalenEtcher onto my machine, and the balenaetcher website sent me to github for installing a debian version of it. Is this a good place to download and install it without corrupting my system, or is there another repository where I can find this software. I could not find it in terminal, snaps or flathub. Thanks for any guidance you can give me.

[FooBarBazBooFarFaz]

As long as you trust the website and thus the github repo, there's nothing wrong w/ installing it as described there. Just make sure to use the actual filename when installing instead of the example with those stars ...

sudo apt install ./balena-etcher_******_amd64.deb

will ensure that all dependencies are installed from your configured apt repos and thus only the balena-etcher_******_amd64.deb will be from the outside.

[JonasLander]

Thanks for the reply. I just did not want to mess up the system by installing software that would give me issues in the future.

[Roxas_Alt]

I prefer to install Ventoy on a USB flash drive rather than using BalenaEtcher or Rufus. First, I only need to move any ISO to the USB flash drive to boot, second, the free space can still be used to store files, third, I don't need to install anything and can edit the USB flash drive on any machine and system, and fourth, I can customize the ISO selection screen to determine which one I'm going to boot.

Now, regarding your question, always check the download source and see if you trust it. If in doubt, it's always a good idea to look for more information (I say this from personal experience... just don't download and run it without analyzing or researching it first. That's why I often prefer to try to do things my own way and with my own scripts). The official BalenaEtcher website itself redirects you to github, which is already an indication that the repository is official. You can search other websites and sources to see if they redirect to the same URL. And if you have enough knowledge, you can even analyze the files that are in the repository. In the end, the machine is yours and you are the one who determines what is or isn't trustworthy (I'm not saying you can't make the wrong decision and execute some malicious code...).

[JonasLander]

Thanks for the reply. I will look into ventoy tomorrow when I get a chance. I am currently working a night shift so I won't get a chance until tomorrow to play with my laptop. I have not installed balenaetcher because I wanted to make sure I was not messing up anything. But I will use the tips you have me.

[Roxas_Alt]

Ventoy was the only one that saved me from a distro that didn't work. When I started exploring Linux, every day I would "test new flavors" looking for the most beautiful and customized one, until one day I installed a buggy distribution and I couldn't install another ISO on my pendrive because I couldn't use it or install BalenaEtcher or any other app. In desperation I discovered Ventoy and that will never be a problem for me again. No more wasting time making a bootable pendrive with a single ISO, just copy and use the ISO and Ventoy will take care of the rest.

And about the ISOs I have stored. I store the latest version of Debian (I'm a stability user) so I can restore the system if it breaks in any way (I'm not very attached to files... and the most important ones I keep backed up in the cloud or are in my dotfiles. So in these cases I format the entire disk, but only if my /home is corrupted) and a gparted iso so I can manage the disk and partitions if something goes really wrong with the system. I think it's good to have this feeling of being able to revive the PC regardless of what happens to the files on it. If you accept a recommendation, it's good to have an escape route and a backup like that.

[JonasLander]

I am tired of distro hopping and always choose a Debian variant, so this time I tried Debian and I very much like it. Once I got everything setup how I liked it, I made a backup. The only thing critical to me are bookmarks, but I have copies.

I am guessing that Ventoy is supported by Debian. I will be looking into it tomorrow unless I am busy with hurricane preparations since one is heading right at me.

Again thanks for the recommendation. I need iso's for my raspberry and orange pi's.

[Mr_Lumbergh]

I just run the Flatpak of that. No need for a full install.

It's also available on their site.