NEWS 160105 about DebEX
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live DVD. It’s a pure Debian system using the testing (stretch) and unstable (sid) repositories. Two Desktop Environments are pre-installed. Gnome 3.18.3 – latest version – (Gothenburg) and Mate 1.12.1 (latest version). About Gnome 3.18: This release brings significant improvements to many of our core applications, from better Google Drive integration in Files to a list view in Boxes to firmware updates in Software, and several entirely new applications. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.63 in this new version of DebEX. To be able to enjoy Gnome 3.18.3 while running DebEX live (from DVD or a USB stick) you’ll need to have a new Nvidia Graphics card installed. You can see which cards are supported here. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for Mate 1.12.1. (Not a bad choice btw). Furthermore I have installed Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version as of 160105. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.3.0-5-exton.
Runs from RAM
DebEX Gnome can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy 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 DebEX from RAM. I.e. superfast! It’s absolutely the best way to enjoy a Linux live system. Especially if it is a “big” system and you have lots of RAM. (DebEX Gnome’s and KDE’s ISO files are of 1720 MB respectively 1490 MB).
KERNEL
DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.3.0-5-exton equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.3.3. (Latest as of 160105).
About Nvidia’s proprietary Graphics driver 352.63
The Nvidia driver has support for the following GPUs (among others): GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Note: I DebEX Gnome version 160105 your Nvidia card will be automatically used (if it is supported). You can then log in to Gnome 3.18.3 from LightDM login page as root with password root. If your card isn’t supported you will get the dreaded error message saying Oh no! Something has gone wrong. Then log out and change Desktop Environment to Mate 1.12.1 before you go on and log in again. You simply can’t log in to Gnome. Perhaps you can fix it yourself after a hard drive installation of DebEX Gnome!?
The importance of the fact that DebEX Gnome is based on Debian testing and Debian unstable
I don’t think it matters too much. I.e. programs won’t crash or anything like that. I haven’t discovered any errors. Maybe you will if you do a full test of the system. Please let me know in that case.
Screenshot of the Gnome Desktop in version 160105 of DebEX Gnome
Screenshot of the Mate Desktop in version 160105 of DebEX Gnome
About the Author
Softpedia has written a nice article about my latest DebEX Gnome/Mate build: http://news.softpedia.com/news/debian-based-debex-gnome-linux-os-now-includes-mate-1-12-1-and-gnome-3-18-3-498552.shtml