DebEX KDE Plasma, Build 230330, based on Debian 12 Sid/Bookworm with kernel 6.1.12-exton and Refracta Snapshot

NEWS 230330 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD – uefi. It’s a pure Debian 12 (Sid/upcoming Bookworm) system. Still supposed to be unstable, but the “full hard freeze” took place already 230312. And I haven’t discovered any “bugs”… There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved in DebEX. DebEX KDE Plasma Sid uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27.2 – latest version, released 230228 – as Desktop environment. Kernel 6.1.12-exton is used. Compiled with all Debian patches. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 230330. In Build 230330 I have added LURE (Linux User REpository). LURE is intended to bring the AUR to all distros. It is currently in an alpha state and may not be stable. It can download a repository, build packages in it using a bash script similar to PKGBUILD, and then install them using your system package manager. Read about how to use LURE…

VirtualBox Guest Additions and VMware Tools are pre-installed, which mean that you can run DebEX KDE in full screen – see the screenshots below.

THE REAL McCoy
DebEX is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian and (mostly) of Debian Sid/unstable. So is DebEX KDE.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Using LURE to install Thunar
2. The Desktop for the ordinary user user
3. The Desktop for root
4. Running in full screen in VirtualBox
5. Running in full screen in VMware

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 230319 with Refracta Snapshot (so you can create your own Raspberrypi Debian 12 Pixel system)

NEWS 230319 about Raspberry Pi Debian 12 Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
 Study all included packages in Build 230319 – latest by 230319. I’ve added NetworkManager and also Wicd, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections. Choose the one which works for you.

Most important changes in Build 230319
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425, 180316, 180928, 190705, 191102, 201108 and 220505 . I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Bullseye  to Bookworm – upcoming Debian 12. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 5.10.0-13-686-pae to 6.1.0-6-686-pae. I’ve also included kernel 6.1.0-6-686, 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. In Build 230319 I have removed Chromium. I saw no advantage in keeping it. You can run the system in full screen in VirtualBox. That’s because VirtualBox’s Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

NOTE

This Debian PIXEL 32bit build is for non-efi computers.

UNIQUE?
As far as I know there is no official Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian) image with Debian 12.
NOTE: Debian 12 soft freeze will happen very soon.

NEWS 180928 – 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 220505. By watching the video you can learn a lot about Debian Pixel’s features.

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 (Raspberry Pi OS) 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). NOTE: As regards Build 230319 you can run the system in full screen in VirtualBox. That’s because VirtualBox’s Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

KERNEL
Kernel 6.1.0-6-686-pae is used in Build 230319. 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 6.1.0-6-686, 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).

Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
For smoother Raspberry PI performance a virtual PC such as azure windows virtual desktop which can be the best option due to its high end functionality and 24*7 top-notch support from a reliable desktop as a service provider.

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that this build can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or the USB stick. You’ll need at least 4 GB RAM to run the system that way. I.e. super fast!

Spotify
You may want to run Spotify. In this version of Debian Pixel you can’t install Spotify with the command sudo apt install spotify-client. Too many unfulfilled dependencies. You can, however, run Spotify Web Player. Use Firefox for that. Watch a screenshot when Spotify Web Player is running.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own installable Raspberry Pi Debian 12 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 Snapshot. 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. Or use Samba to transfer the ISO file to one of your Windows computers in your home Network – screenshot. In VirtualBox you can also drop the new ISO directly on your host Desktop. NOTE: Run Refracta Snapshot while logged in as root. You may have to do it in three steps.

Install to Debian PIXEL hard drive
Just start Refracta Installer from the Menu >> System tools >> Refracta Installer and follow the instructions. Very simple. After a hard drive installation Grub’s boot menu will look like this.



Install Debian PIXEL to a USB stick

You can use Rufus in Windows. Persistence can’t be enabled though. The best way to achieve persistence on a USB stick 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 give you perfect persistence.

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

Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
For smoother RaspberryPI performance a virtual PC such as azure windows virtual desktop which can be the best option due to its high end functionality and 24*7 top-notch support from a reliable desktop as a service provider.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – User pi’s Desktop 230309
Screenshot 2 – Debian PIXEL running in VirtualBox in full screen
Screenshot 3 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 4 – The installation is ready
Screenshot 5 – Spotify Web Player running

DOWNLOAD
This Build has been replaced by Build 240414….

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

MeX 64 bit Linux based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS with Ubuntu Desktop (Gnome 42.5), Kodi 19.4 and kernel 6.2.3-amd64-exton :: Build 230314

NEWS/CHANGES 230314
I’ve uploaded a new version of MeX, in which I’ve included Kodi Matrix 19.4 – latest version. Kodi is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub that can be installed on Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, tvOS and Android. It is designed around a “10-foot user interface” for use with televisions and remote controls. Kodi runs very well in MeX. On a web site called FireStickTricks you can find instructions how to install 27 (?!) extra Kodi Builds with their own repositories and skins. The article is called Best Kodi Builds March 2023. I’ve tried Grindhouse today. Works very well. Otherwise MeX version 230314 works in the same way as previous versions.

MORE MeX NEWS 230314
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive.
2. Another big improvement is that MeX now can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 4 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 2050 MB so MeX will run super fast from RAM!
3. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox. Google Chrome is no longer needed to be able to run Netflix in Linux.
4. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Live DVD with Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed)! The whole “remaster process” is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.
5. I have installed Calamares Installer as in many of my other Linux builds. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Very easy to use. You can use Calamares to install MeX on both UEFI computers and non UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware).
6. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed so you can run MeX in full screen in VirtualBox.

Used KERNEL
Kernel 6.2.3-amd64-exton

What’s new in kernel 6.2?

Who can benefit from MeX?
All who like Debian/Ubuntu and want a system that is easy to use and maintain. And of course those who want to create their own Ubuntu 22.04 LTS system in a very simple way with Refracta Snapshot. Regarding MeX also those who want to run a Linux system super fast from RAM and/or like to run Linux from a USB flash drive. And those who want a new kernel – 6.2.3.

SCREENSHOTS
The Desktop for user live
Kodi Matrix running

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!