Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 180928 with Refracta Tools (so you can create your own Debian Pixel system)

NEWS 180928 about Raspberry Pi Debian Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
My second Debian Pixel Build from is from 170428 . My third build is from 180316. Study all included packages – latest by 180928. I’ve added NetworkManager and also Wicd, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections. Choose the one which works for you.

NEWS 180920 – a YouTube video about Debian Pixel
I’ve discovered a YouTube video about my Debian Pixel Build 170425. The video is called Debian Pixel..Exton forks it for you..
This video is of course also valid for Build 180928. By watching the video you can learn a lot about Debian Pixel’s features.

Most important changes in Build 180928
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425 and 180316 . I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Jessie to Stretch – Debian stable. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 3.16.0-4-686-pae to 4.9.0-9-686-pae. I’ve also included kernel 4.9.0-9-686, which shall be used on older computers. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. Firefox have been installed so you’ll have a browser when logged in as root. You can’t run Chromium as root. Another good thing about Firefox is that you can use it to watch Netflix movies.

OLD NEWS FROM 161223

On December 22, 2016 I read that the Raspberry Pi Foundation had announced the release of a new PIXEL image that can be booted on a PC or Mac. Study this site. I saw immediately that there was no installer included, which I thought was a little disappointing. Come to think of Refracta tools, which work very well in Debian and Ubuntu. I quickly made a “remix” of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. My remix thus include Refracta tools. This means that you can easily install the system to hard drive and you can just as easily make your own remix of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. I’ve added a few packages. Most important Synaptic, which I find essential.

About the PIXEL Desktop
Raspbian had its biggest update ever in September, 2016, thanks to a dazzling new desktop environment called PIXEL. Raspbian with PIXEL (which stands for “Pi Improved Xwindow Environment, Lightweight”) is a huge software update to the desktop environment. It introduces a crisp new interface, and is brimming with new programs and features.

VirtualBox and VMware
My build/image works very well in VirtualBox and VMware. I.e. you can run the system directly from the ISO file and also install it to a virtual hard drive. You can of course also make your own Raspbian/Debian system with the the PIXEL Desktop using Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed).

KERNEL
Kernel 4.9.0-9-686-pae is used in Build 180928. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. If you want to run the system (which is 32bit) on older computers you shall use kernel 4.9.0-9-686, which also is included.

Login and passwords
Log in to the PIXEL Desktop as the ordinary user pi or as root. The passwords are raspberrypi respectively root. When logged in as pi you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su). When running Debian Pixel live (from a DVD or a USB stick) you’ll end up (after the boot process) logged in automatically as the user pi in X (PIXEL Desktop).

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that this build can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or the USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run the system that way. I.e. superfast!

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed) to create your own installable Debian PIXEL system once you have installed my build to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. Start Refracta from Menu >> System tools >> Refracta snapshot. You don’t even have to install my build to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian PIXEL system while running my build from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO file) will only take 20 – 60 min! Please edit the configuration file /etc/refractasnapshot.conf first. Change line 45 and 46. I.e. decide where you want the ISO file to be build. The whole thing is very simple. NOTE: You can also do everything in VirtualBox or VMware. Use FileZilla (pre-installed) to transfer your new ISO file to your server.

Install to Debian PIXEL hard drive
Just start Refracta Installer from Menu >> System tools >> Refracta Installer and follow the instructions. Very simple.

Install Debian PIXEL to a USB stick
You can use Rufus in Windows. Persistence can’t be enabled though. You can also use UNetbootin in Windows or Linux. The best way to do it is to burn Debian PIXEL to a DVD, start up the system from the DVD and then use Refracta Installer for the installation. Choose to install Grub in MBR on /dev/sdb. (Normally your USB stick, but check it carefully!) I.e. you will get a chance to choose between /dev/sda and /dev/sdb. This method will (of course) give you perfect persistence.

Watch the slideshow below showing the Refracta installation process in Debian PIXEL.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 2 – Refracta Snapshot has started
Screenshot 3 – Refracta Installer has started in VMware
Screenshot 4 – Wireless connection with NetworkManager and Wicd (installed in Build 170425, 180316 and 180928)
Screenshot 5 – Wifi connection using NetworkManager – in detail

DOWNLOAD
This build of Debian PIXEL has been replaced by Build 190705…
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

AndEX Oreo 8.1 (Android-x86_64) – Build 180918 – with Google Play Store (and everything else) working very well

NEWS 180918 about AndEX Oreo 8.1
My first build of AndEX Oreo 8.1 is from 180103. My second build is from 180202. My third build is from 180614. My new build of Android x86_64 – andex_x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-windows-launchers-1050mb-180918.iso can be installed to hard drive using the installation program or manually. You can also run the system live. I.e. from a DVD or a USB stick. On some computers you’ll have to start up AndEX 8.1 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. NOTE: You can run AndEX Oreo Build 180918 on newer laptops and Desktop computers. The sound and the video performance is generally very very good.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES IN BUILD 180918
Google Play Store now works as intended. As an alternative you can use Aptoide App Manager, which also is pre-installed. Three nice special window launchers are pre-installed: Microsoft Launcher, Win 10 Launcher and OO Launcher. (OO Launcher is an enhanced Android™ O Oreo™ style launcher, with many useful enhanced launcher features). I’ve discovered a new way to manually install AndEX Oreo to hard drive. Very simple! Read more below. You can now open up a terminal and become root with the command su root (which you couldn’t in previous versions of AndEX Oreo). Build 180918 uses kernel 4.9.109 with more support for various hardware. Most important: The install function works in this new version of AndEX Oreo. You can also install AndEX Oreo to a virtual hard drive while using VirtualBox. That is for some unknown reason not possible in VMware. You can run AndEX Oreo very well live in both VMware and VirtualBox though.

Screenshot – AndEX Build 180918 – the Desktop with Win 10 Launcher for Android 8.1 Oreo – with several extra apps (games) – Koi Video Live Wallpaper, Air Fighters, Popcorn Time, Wild Hunt, Racing In Car 2, Drift Clash and Fishing Club 3D – not pre-installed.

MORE NEWS 180918: AndEX – Oreo 8.1 with kernel 4.9.109-exton-android-x86_64 and GAPPS
My new build of Android-x86_64 Oreo 8.1 have GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google Play Games and YouTube. Also many other apps. For example: Spotify, ES File Explorer, Firefox, Root Explorer, Control Screen Orientation and Clash of Clans.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Microsoft Launcher
Screenshot 2 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Microsoft Launcher – all apps
Screenshot 3 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 running live in VMware
Screenshot 4 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 running from hard drive in VirtualBox
Screenshot 5 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 live boot screen
Screenshot 6 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 boot screen in VirtualBox after installation
Screenshot 7 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 developer options

READ MORE…

CruxEX (CRUX 3.4), 64bit, live USB with LXDE, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Spotify and kernel 4.18.7-exton – Build 180912

CruxEX 3.4 64 bit Linux Live USB is based on CRUX 3.4 (latest version, released 180512), which is all Linux enthusiasts/nerds favorite OS. (CRUX is a lightweight Linux distribution for the x86_64 architecture targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is keep it simple, which is reflected in a straightforward tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages. The secondary focus is utilization of new Linux features and recent tools and libraries. CRUX also has a ports system which makes it easy to install and upgrade applications). CruxEX 3.4 2018 uses the LXDE Desktop environment. I have replaced the original CRUX kernel 4.14.20 with “my” special kernel 4.18.7-exton, with support for “extra everything”.

NEWS 180912
CruxEX 2018 is distributed only as a Zip file. Install my new version of CruxEX 3.4 64bit from 180912 to a USB Pen Drive and run the system superfast from RAM – read this INSTRUCTION. If you later on decide you want to install CruxEX to hard drive from the USB Pen Drive all your system changes will also be installed to the hard drive. NOTE: Unfortunately persistence can’t be enabled anymore while running CruxEX from a USB stick.

About CruxEX 3.4 version 180912
All packages have been upgraded to the latest available version (with prt-get sysup). Furthermore: This version uses kernel 4.18.7 released 180909! And of course Google Chrome for Netflix!

Whats new in kernel 4.18?

Unique
CruxEX 3.4 2018 build 180912 is – as my previous CRUX-remasters – unique in the world. I.e. there is no other CRUX Live CD/USB (as far as I know). In any case, not for downloading. The good thing with CruxEX is that it is a live system (which CRUX original isn’t) and that you can run CruxEX superfast from RAM. Also that you can install CruxEX to hard drive in about 5 min and then have a ready-to-go CRUX desktop system. You can after that install any (extra) desktop environment you like.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The LXDE Desktop
2. Prt-get in action
3. CruxEX running from USB in VirtualBox
4. Spotify running in CruxEX
5. The USB live boot screen

Study ALL installed packages…

READ MORE…


Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Oreo 8.1!

and

about my Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Oreo 8.1!


ExTiX 18.9 – “The Ultimate Linux System” – with LXQt 0.12.0, Refracta Tools, Calamares Installer and kernel 4.18.5-exton – a non-efi Build 180901

I have made a new extra version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 18.9 LXQt Live DVD. It is for non-efi computers and VirtualBox/VMware. I.e. you can use the Calamares Installer also in for example VirtualBox and VMware. Which means that you can install ExTiX in any language.

ABOUT
ExTiX 18.9
LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian and Ubuntu 18.04.1 Bionic Beaver. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed LXQt 0.12.0. LXQt is the Qt port and the upcoming version of LXDE, the Lightweight Desktop Environment. It is the product of the merge between the LXDE-Qt and the Razor-qt projects: A lightweight, modular, blazing-fast and user-friendly desktop environment. NOTE: This ExTiX LXQt Build is for installation to non UEFI-enabled computers and VirtualBox/VMware.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.18.5-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.18.5. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it another Ubuntu/Debian system.

What’s new in kernel 4.18?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 18.9 Build 180901 with the LXQt Desktop environment
1. ExTiX LXQt is based on Ubuntu 18.04.1 Bionic Beaver. LXQt 0.12.0 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 180901. Kernel 4.18.5-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s kernel 4.18.5).
2. Firefox has replaced Google Chrome as Web Browser. It’s now possible to watch Netflix movies also in Firefox (while running Linux).
3. I have replaced Ubuntu’s installer Ubiquity with Calamares Installer. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases.
4. Other included important/useful packages are: LibreOffice, Thunderbird, GParted, Brasero, SMPlayer, GCC and other compilation tools so that you can install packages from source. Furthermore “all” multimedia codecs. Everything the average Linux user could wish for I would say.
5. The ExTiX ISO’s are ISO-hybrids, which means that they can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run ExTiX from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
6. Another big improvement is that both ExTiX versions can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 4 (Load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run ExTiX that way. Running from RAM means that the system will run faster than from DVD or USB stick. Everything will be superfast I would say!
7. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 180901.
8. You can install Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver (without problems) if you like.
9. You can install ExTiX to hard drive using Calamares Installer on older non-efi computers (and VirtualBox/VMware). Which means that you can install ExTiX in your preferred language.
10. While running ExTiX LXQt 18.9 live or from hard drive you can use Refracta tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. A ten year child can do it!

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of ExTiX 18.9 Desktop – LXQt 0.12.0
Netflix running in ExTiX 18.9
Refracta tools running while logged in as user live
Connections to Windows computers via PCManFM-qt using Samba
ExTiX running in VMware
ExTiX running in VirtualBox

READ MORE…


Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Oreo 8.1!

and

about my Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Oreo 8.1!