Tag Archives: Vlc

ArchEX (Arch Linux) Live with Deepin 20.2.1, GNOME 40, Gnome Classic, LXQt 0.17, LXDE, kernel 5.12.6-arch1-1, Yay, Spotify and Calamares Installer – Build 210526

NEWS about ArchEX 210526
A new version of ArchEX is ready! In this new version, which I call ArchEX 2021, I have added the Deepin 20.2.1 (latest) Desktop environment. Deepin (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. I came to like Deepin very much when I installed it in ExTiX 21.5-2. So I thought why not install Deepin also in ArchEX? Furthermore I have added the GNOME 40 (latest) and LXQt 0.17 (latest) Desktop environments. As “extra” Desktop environments I’ve added Gnome Classic and LXDE. So altogether five (5) different Desktops environments to try out while running ArchEX live or from hard drive!

Study all installed packages in ArchEX 2021 with Deepin/GNOME 40/Gnome Classic/LXQt/LXDE.

Why trust a Chinese Distribution? The Deepin Desktop environment is developed in China and basically based on Debian.

How To dual boot, triple boot or multi boot Linux with Windows in a simple way and be happy
Before installing ArchEX or any other Linux system my general installation instructions may be of interest.

WHAT IS ArchEX?

ArchEX 64 bit is a new (210526) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 5.12.6-arch1-1, Deepin 20.2.1, GNOME 40, GNOME Classic, LXDE and LXQt 0.17.0 Desktop environments. Deepin Desktop (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. About LXQt 0.17.0: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel. GNOME 40 provides a focused working environment that helps you get things done. It is packed with features that will make you more productive.

WHO should run Arch Linux?

My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

Screenshots
1. ArchEX Deepin Desktop
2. ArchEX GNOME 40 Desktop
3. ArchEX LXQt Desktop
4. ArchEX LXDE Desktop
5. ArchEX Gnome Classic Desktop
6. ArchEX running Spotify
7. ArchEX running in VirtualBox with VirtualBox Guest Additions installed

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

RaspEX Kodi for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with LXDE/LXQt Desktop and Kodi 18.7/19.0 Media Center with Netflix, YouTube, Plex and Amazon Video addons – Build 210205 (32-bit) and Build 210208 (64-bit)

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 (32-bit) and 210208 (64-bit) with LXDE/LXQt/Kodi Desktops Both systems can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The systems are made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 11 Bullseye (Build 210208) respectively Debian 10 Buster (Build 210205), Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE/LXQt Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done in Build 210205. RaspEX Kodi Build 210208 uses the LXQt Desktop and Kodi 19.0 Matrix. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 respectively Build 210208.

NOTE1: RaspEX Kodi Build 210208 64-bit is only for Raspberry Pi 4 computers.

NOTE2: Build 210208 (64-bit) is missing the Netflix addon. Widevine CDM (which is necessary for Netflix to work) is not available natively on ARM64.

More about RaspEX Kodi 64-bit Build 210208
The previous 64-bit build is from 200726. In this new build I’ve replaced LXDE with LXQt, which have a more “modern” look. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 19.0 Matrix (BETA). It works very well.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi 18.7 in Build 210205
2. Running Kodi 19.0 in Build 210208
3. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 210205
4. The LXQt Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 210208
5. Kodi 18.7 system info re. Build 210205
6. Kodi 19.0 system info re. Build 210208

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and

about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 11 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

RaspEX Kodi for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with LXDE Desktop and Kodi 18.7 Media Center “Leia” with Netflix, YouTube, Plex and Amazon Video addons – Build 210205 (32-bit) and Build 200726 (64-bit)

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 (32-bit) and 200726 (64-bit) with LXDE/Kodi Desktops
Both systems can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The systems are made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 11 Bullseye respectively Debian 10 Buster, Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done in Build 210205. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 respectively Build 200726.

NOTE: Build 200726 (64-bit) is missing the Netflix and YouTube add-ons. You can (possibly) install them yourself. Without the YouTube add-on many other add-ons can’t run. Read about how to create and setup your YouTube API Key, ID and Secret for Kodi.

Used kernels
1) 5.10.12-exton-v7l+ (for Rpi4) in Build 210205
2) 5.10.12-exton-v7+ (for Rpi3 and Rpi2) in Build 210205
3) 5.4.51-v8+ (for Rpi4) in Build 200726
4) 5.4.51-v7+ (for Rpi3 and 2) in Build 200726
The system will automatically determine which Raspberry Pi you are using and load the correct kernel.

RaspEX Kodi performance
RaspEX Kodi is a very fast and responsive Rpi4 system. Much due to very low memory (RAM) usage. About 200 MB as this screenshot shows. I’ve said that RaspEX LXDE Build 210101 is very fast. RaspEX Kodi is even faster. The video and sound quality is also very very good. Even while running RaspEX Kodi on big TV screens. I.e. you can really enjoy Netflix and YouTube running on your Rpi4 mini computer!

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi in Build 210205
1b. Running Kodi in Build 200726
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 210205
2b. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 200726
3. Netflix running showing very good video quality
4. YouTube running showing very good video quality

READ MORE….

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and

about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 11 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

Run Android 10 on your PC :: AndEX 10 (Android-x86_64) with GAPPS (Google Play Store etc.), F-Droid, Brave Browser, VLC, Computer Launcher 2 and Spotify :: Build 201027

NEWS 201027 – A new version of AndEX 10 is ready!
I’ve uploaded a new upgraded version of AndEX 10 – android_x86_64-10-exton-gapps-aptoide-fdroid-spotify-1330mb-201027.iso. All included apps have been updated to the latest version. Also Google Play Services and Google Play Store. The ISO file is of only 1330 MB! Makes it easier to run AndEX on computers with low RAM. The very nice launcher Computer Launcher 2 is used in this AndEX version. Make it your standard Launcher. (Surprise your friends with new look style windows 11 of your Android). Version 201027 of AndEX 10 is a totally new build with a new kernel – 4.19.122-exton-android-x86_64. I’ve noticed that the WiFi connection works better with this new kernel. I.e. the connection is more stable .

Upgrade from previous versions of AndEX 10?
If you already have AndEX 10 version 200108, 200218, 200225 or 200604 up and running there is no need to acquire the newest version from 201027. Just upgrade all apps to the latest version of today and you’re done! Use Google Play Store for that. You can of course also install for example YouTube, Brave, the Spotify app and Google Play Games yourself (if you are running the AndEX 10 mini version of 200225).

NEWS 201027 about AndEX 10 with GAPPS
My fifth build of AndEX 10 is ready. It has GAPPS (Google Play Store etc), Aptoide App Manager, F-Droid, Spotify, Google Maps, YouTube, Gmail, VLC, Brave Private Browser, Computer Launcher 2 and many other apps pre-installed. My new build of Android x86_64 10 – android_x86_64-10-exton-gapps-aptoide-fdroid-spotify-1330mb-201027.iso can be installed to hard drive or on a USB stick. 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 10 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. The sound and video performance is generally very very good. Google Play Store works very well in this build of AndEX 10. So does the YouTube and Spotify app. I’ve also included two extra app stores – Aptoide App Manager and F-Droid. Use them if you can’t find the app you’re looking for using Google Play Store.

MORE ABOUT AndEX 10
My new compiled Android-x86_64 system (10) can run and be installed on almost all newer laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Asus laptops. You can also run AndEX 10 in VirtualBox and/or VMware. Unfortunately with somewhat bad performance. I.e. the system is a bit slow and it might restart. I can also mention that I could run my AndEX 10 on a HP Pavilion 500-317no Desktop Computer and on a Lenovo ThinkStation C30. You can very easy do a “normal” or manual installation to hard drive. A manual installation can also be done to a drive where you already have another Linux system (for example Ubuntu 20.04) installed.

About Netflix
You can’t run Netflix. The Netflix app works in my AndEX 9 Pie Build 190912, AndEX Oreo Build 181028 and AndEX Marshmallow Build 170923 though. AndEX 10 is rooted, which prevents Netflix from running.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – AndEX 10 Desktop 201027 with GAPPS
Screenshot 2 – AndEX 10 201027 running Google Play Store
Screenshot 3 – AndEX 10 201027 Desktop with another wallpaper
Screenshot 4 – AndEX 10 201027 – shows how to access files from a PC in your Network
Screenshot 5 – AndEX 10 Build 201027 running AIDA64
Screenshot 6 – AndEX 10 Build 201027 running VLC with very good video quality

Watch a movie showing the “normal” install process (in VirtualBox)…

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and

about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 11 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

RaspEX Kodi 64-bit for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with the LXDE Desktop and Kodi 18.7 Media Center “Leia” based on upcoming Debian 11 “Bullseye” and Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) – Build 200726

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi 64-bit
RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 (32-bit) and 200726 (64-bit) with LXDE/Kodi Desktops can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The system is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 11 Bullseye respectively Debian 10 Buster, Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done in Build 200713. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 respectively Build 200726.

NOTE: Build 200726 (64-bit) is missing the Netflix and YouTube add-ons. You can (possibly) install them yourself. Without the YouTube add-on many other add-ons can’t run. Read about how to create and setup your YouTube API Key, ID and Secret for Kodi.

Passwords
pi/raspberry and root/root

Boot problems as regards RaspEX Kodi Build 200726

If you can’t boot up the system after installing to the SD card using Rufus 3.11 in Windows it’s because the files /boot/cmdline.txt and /etc/fstab has the wrong content. I.e. the PARTUUID for the card is wrong. Then you’ll have to edit said files. Do it like this.
1. Start up a Linux system (Ubuntu or…).
2. Insert your SD card with RaspEX Kodi installed. It will be seen as /dev/sdb1 (boot partition) and /dev/sdb2 (root filesystem).
3. To find out the correct PARTUUID for /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdb2 run the command blkid /dev/sdb1 respectively blkid /dev/sdb2
4. Now change to the correct PARTUUID in /boot/cmdline.txt and /etc/fstab on the SD card. Use Leafpad or Mousepad for that. Never LibreOffice writer!

The file cmdline.txt can look like this:
console=serial0,115200 console=tty1 root=PARTUUID=347a28ab-02 rootfstype=ext4 elevator=deadline fsck.repair=yes rootwait quiet splash plymouth.ignore-serial-consoles

The file fstab can look like this:
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
PARTUUID=347a28ab-01 /boot vfat defaults 0 2
PARTUUID=347a28ab-02 / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1
# a swapfile is not a swap partition, no line here
# use dphys-swapfile swap[on|off] for that

Expand the filesystem on the SD card
If you install many new big programs and/or download large files (for example videos) you may run out of space on the SD card. That is best fixed by running the following command: sudo raspi-config. Click on “Advanced Options” and choose A1 Expand Filesystem.
NOTE: That’s all you have to do. Just wait for the script to fix everything. If you use a SD card of 32 GB all the space on it will be used afterwards. Watch a screenshot when raspi-config is running.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 200726
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as root (super admin) in Build 200726
3. Kodi system info re. Build 200726
4. Error message when trying to run the YouTube add-on in Build 200726
5. Running Kodi in Build 200726

READ MORE or Download the new RaspEX Kodi 64-bit version right now…

 

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at

raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

RaspEX Kodi for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with LXDE Desktop and Kodi 18.7 Media Center “Leia” with Netflix, YouTube, Plex and Amazon Video addons – Build 200713

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 with LXDE/Kodi Desktops
The image can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The system is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 10 Buster, Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi.

Replacements
My first version of RaspEX Kodi from 190124 was a replacement for RaspEX Kodi with OSMC, which was released 190117. Sam Nazarko (founder of OSMC) contacted me 190118 claiming that I was “violating” his rights to the trademark OSMC and the rules in GPLv2. I don’t think I did, but I’m also very tired. Therefore I made a new version (190124) of RaspEX Kodi without any traces of OSMC. I would say that version 190124, 190321, 190803, 191117, 200210 and 200713 are as good as the old one from 190117. I.e. excellent video and sound performance both in Kodi and LXDE. For version 190124 I charged 9 $. This new version (200713) can be downloaded for free from SourceForge.net. People should not refrain from downloading RaspEX Kodi because of the money issue. I want all Linux and Raspberry Pi enthusiasts to enjoy the system. It runs very well on a the new Raspberry Pi 4. I.e. fast and responsive. Especially on the Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB or 8GB RAM – released May 2020 (8GB). RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 can also run on Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, Raspberry 3 Model B+ and Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. I’ve included an extra kernel for that. The system will automatically determine which Raspberry Pi you are using and load the correct kernel.

More about RaspEX Kodi
Running RaspEX Kodi you will immediately end up in X and LXDE as the ordinary user pi. After the first boot you shall use NetworkManager for configuring your network connection. Just click on the network icon in the upper right panel and chose your wireless network. Watch this screenshot. The big difference between Raspberry Pi OS and RaspEX Kodi is that Kodi 18.7 Leia is pre-installed in RaspEX Kodi together with some really useful addons (Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Video). Those addons need Widevine to run. While you are logged in to the LXDE Desktop you can use Synaptic Package Manager to install all extra packages you may need. Since RaspEX Kodi is based on Raspberry Pi OS/Debian you’ll have about 30000 packages to chose between. When logged in as pi you can use Sudo to become root. Examples: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. While logged in to the LXDE Desktop you can (of course) go on to Kodi directly. Just open Kodi like any other program. NOTE1:The latest stable version of Kodi is 18.7. If you have downloaded and installed any of my previous versions of RaspEX with Kodi 18.5 it is not necessary to reinstall RaspEX Kodi. Just use Synaptic and upgrade to Kodi 18.7. This change of Kodi version won’t effect your Kodi settings. They are stored in /home/pi/.kodi. NOTE2: You cannot run Kodi as root.

Used kernels
1) 5.7.7-exton-v7l+ (for Rpi4)
2) 4.19.102-v7+ (for Rpi3 and Rpi2)
The system will automatically determine which Raspberry Pi you are using and load the correct kernel.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi
3. Netflix running showing very good video quality
4. YouTube running showing very good video quality
5. Choosing program addons in Kodi
6. The LXDE Desktop logged in as root (super admin)
7. Kodi system info
8. VLC running showing very good video quality
9. Samba connection with a Windows computer
10. Screenshot about how to configure HDMI sound in Kodi

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at

raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

RaspEX Kodi Rpi4 with LXDE and Kodi 18.3 Media Center “Leia” with Netflix, Plex and Amazon Video addons – Build 190803

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 190803 with LXDE/Kodi Desktops can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The system is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4, but can of course also be used on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and on a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 10 Buster, Raspbian and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.3 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix, Plex and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi.

RaspEX Kodi performance
RaspEX Kodi is a very fast and responsive Rpi system. Much due to very low memory (RAM) usage. About 120 MB as this screenshot shows. I’ve said that RaspEX LXDE Build 181015 is very fast. RaspEX Kodi is even faster especially if you use the new Raspberry Pi 4 to run it. The video and sound quality is also very very good. Even while running RaspEX Kodi on big TV screens. I.e. you can really enjoy Netflix and YouTube running on your Rpi mini computer!

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi
3. Netflix running showing very good video quality
4. YouTube running showing very good video quality
5. Choosing program addons in Kodi
6. The LXDE Desktop logged in as root (super admin)
7. Kodi system info
8. VLC running showing very good video quality

READ MORE…

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

Kodi is a trademark of XBMC Foundation

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and AndEX Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

and about my Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

exGENT (Gentoo) 64bit Live DVD with LXQt and kernel 4.15.14-aufs-gentoo-exgent – Build 180410 – can be installed in 2 min!

NEWS 20180410 about exGENT (Gentoo) 64 bit
I’ve made a new version of exGENT with only a few necessary packages pre-installed. It uses LXQt as Desktop environment and kernel 4.15.14-aufs-gentoo-exgent. The ISO file is of 1490 MB due to the fact that I’ve included the kernel sources. They are needed for installation of certain software. Despite this exGENT version 180410 runs surprisingly fast from DVD or USB. Even in VirtualBox and VMware. Faster than most other Linux live systems. I call my new version exGENT 2018 LXQt Live DVD. It replaces version 170407 and 170412. Those versions were too old for upgrading. I had to start over and build version 180410 from “scratch”. All installed packages in exGENT have been updated to the latest available version by 180410. Study the full package list.

What’s new in exGENT Build 180410?
The boot loader Grub Legacy has been replaced by Grub2. MOST IMPORTANT: In exGENT versions before 170309 the file system wasn’t writable when running exGENT live (from DVD). Now you can emerge (install) new programs/packages even while running the system from a DVD or USB stick. If you do that and later decide to install exGENT to hard drive all your changes will follow! Furthermore you can install/transfer exGENT to a USB stick with the dd command in Linux or use Etcher and Rufus in Windows. Such installations were impossible before. NOTE: I have not installed Google Chrome. It’s not needed anymore, since Netflix nowadays runs very well in Firefox. About the LXQt Desktop environment: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel.

Used KERNEL

My special kernel 4.15.14-aufs-gentoo-exgent corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.15.14.

Quick install to Hard Drive

exGENT Linux can be installed to hard drive in 2 – 8 min. (Depending on computer type). This means that all of you who might hesitate to perform a normal Gentoo installation – which can take up to a couple of days – now have the chance to get this great Linux system (Gentoo) installed on your computers very easy. Read below on how the installation works.

UPGRADE the System
The exGENT System (version 180410) is in very good shape, since I, without problems, have been able to update the whole system with the following commands:

# emerge –ask –update –newuse –deep –with-bdeps=y @world
# emerge –depclean
# revdep-rebuild

NOTE 1: Before running the above three commands you’ll have to run the commands emerge –sync followed by emerge —oneshot portage

NOTE 2: After a hard drive installation of exGENT you should run the above commands at least every month (to keep the system in good shape).

SPOTIFY
You can easy and quick install Spotify in exGENT. Just run the command emerge spotify. The installation takes about 1 min.
NOTE: Spotify is pre-installed in Build 180410.

Rolling distribution
Gentoo/exGENT is a rolling distribution, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world).

Who is exGENT/Gentoo for?
Experienced Linux users or those who really want to learn Linux. (Perhaps also for people who are bored with mainstream distributions like Ubuntu).

Screenshots

1. exGENT Build 180410 running Vlc
2. exGENT running Spotify
3. exGENT running Cups
4. exGENT running in VirtualBox
5. exGENT running in VMware

READ MORE…

 

Exton|OS Build 170609 with Mate 1.8.0, Refracta Tools (build your own live Ubuntu system) and kernel 4.11.0-5-exton

NEWS 170609 ABOUT Exton|OS with Mate 1.18.0 and Refracta Tools
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.18 (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Program content in build 170609: Refracta Tools, Firefox, Gimp, Vlc and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at June 9, 2017. Study the NEW PACKAGE list. Google Chrome has been removed since it’s possible now to use Netflix in Firefox.

WHAT’S NEW in MATE 1.18?

KERNEL
I have replaced kernel 4.9.0-11-exton with my special kernel 4.11.0-5-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.11.3 – second latest stable kernel as of 170609. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.11.0-5-exton.zip with the command unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.11.0-5-exton.zip. With kernel 4.11.3 there is no real need to use Nvidia proprietary graphic drivers since this kernel has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.11?

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Mate Build 170609. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 17.04 Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running Exton|OS from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. (Or change that in /etc/refractasnapshot.conf). The whole thing is very simple. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1
of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop
Screenshot 2 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Spotify
Screenshot 3 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Refracta Snapshot
Screenshot 4 of Exton|OS running in VMware
Screenshot 5 of Exton|OS running in VirtualBox
Screenshot 6 – showing how to configure the Network with Wicd in VirtualBox

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News 170309: Yet another version of exGENT (Gentoo) is out. The best version ever…

NEWS 20170309 ABOUT exGENT
I’ve made yet a new version (20170309) of exGENT based on Gentoo Linux. It uses Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.9.12. It is for the 64 bit architecture. I call it exGENT 2017 Xfce4 Live DVD. It replaces version 20170303. The ISO file is of 2670 MB due to the fact that this version has a lot of packages pre-installed. Despite this exGENT version 170309 runs surprisingly fast from DVD or USB. Even in VirtualBox and VMware. Faster than most other Linux live systems. All installed packages in exGENT have been updated to the latest available version by 170309.

What’s new in exGENT Build 170309?
The boot loader Grub Legacy has been replaced by Grub2. I started this build in the hope that I should be able to implement a new independent installer program called Calamares. I wasn’t able to do it now though. (Many dependencies to satisfy). My old installer script will have to do until I find a solution. Anyway, I think exGENT Build 170309 can be of interest because of the change to Grub2 and the fact that it has one of the newest kernels installed. MOST IMPORTANT: In versions before this one (170309) the file system wasn’t writable when running exGENT live (from DVD). Now you can emerge (install) new programs/packages even while running the system from a DVD or USB stick. If you do that and later decide to install exGENT to hard drive all your changes will follow! Furthermore you can install/transfer exGENT to a USB stick with the dd command in Linux or use Etcher and Rufus in Windows. Watch a screenshot when Etcher is running. Such installations were impossible before.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.9.12-aufs-gentoo-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.9.12.

Screenshots
exGENT running Nvidia config
exGENT running Brasero

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