Exton Linux distributions

PuppEX Tahr (Tahrpup 6.0) with kernel 3.19.1-PAE-puppex

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CruxNEWS 150309
A new version of PuppEX Tahr 32bit is ready. Kernel 3.19.1 is the latest available stable kernel from Kernel.org as of 150309. PuppEX uses the original Puppy Tahr Desktop. I have added PCManFM and LXTerminal. They are more useful than ROX-Filer respectively RXVT, I think. The ISO file is on the whole 475 MB, which is due to me including also NVIDIA Graphics driver 346.47, Gimp, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Adobe Flash and compiling tools. Tahrpup original is of only 199 MB. PuppEX is despite this still running as fast as the original, which means it runs very, very fast compared to most other Linux systems. (Puppy/PuppEX runs from RAM). I’ve also added Tahrpup’s Service Pack 6.0.2. With PAE compiled into the kernel PuppEX now can address up to 64GB of RAM.

Compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
The beauty of Puppy Tahr 6.0 is that programs that are available for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS also can be easily installed and run in Puppy Tahr (and thus also in PuppEX).

See a screenshot of the Desktop

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Android

AndEX (Android) x86 5.0.2 Lollipop Live CD with kernel 3.10.58-exton-android-x86

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Android logoI have compiled an Android x86 system (Lollipop 5.0.2), which can run live (from CD) or be installed on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Ausus laptops. The Android system is distributed in the form of an ISO file as the rest of my Linux distributions. I.e. you must (as usual) burn the ISO file to a CD if you want to run the system live on your computer or install it to hard drive. Read about how to burn ISO files. Or skip that. Just use ImgBurn. Nothing can go wrong.

About AndEX
Lollipop 5.0.2 is the latest version of the Android mobile operating system developed by Google. I call my remaster of it AndEX Lollipop Live CD. It uses “my” special kernel 3.10.58-exton-android-x86 with some extra features. I.e. extra drivers and NTFS read/write support. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-03-21 will cost you 8 $ and my Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-03-30 7 $. They have three advantages over the Lollipop version: Aptoide App Manager respectively Google Play Store is pre-installed, a newer kernel (3.18.8 respectively 3.18.2) is used and you can run the systems in VirtualBox. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 150321 or DOWNLOAD it instantly. Read more about the KitKat 4.4.4 version 150330 or DOWNLOAD it instantly.

Installing new apps in AndEX Lollipop
Use Aptoid Apps Store, which is pre-installed. Just make your choices…

Install the system to hard drive
Say for example that you have a laptop with Windows 8.1 installed as the only operating system. If you just create one extra partition of about 5 GB you can install Android Lollipop on this extra partition and then “dual-boot”. I.e. you can turn on your computer (called “booting it up”) and decide whether you want to start Windows or Android Lollipop. Grub will be installed as boot handler/loader during the installation of Android Lollipop. Note: The installation will take only about one minute. And the installation to hard drive is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

USB installation
Read my instruction. Must be done if your computer lacks a CD drive.

NOTE/WARNING
You must use a fairly new/modern computer. Android x86 Lollipop won’t run (even start) on older computers. My other Android remasters KitKat 4.4.4 will run also on older computers.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Andex Desktop without modifications
Screenshot 2 – Andex installed apps
Screenshot 3 – Andex preventing rotation
Screenshot 4 – Andex using Google Maps
Screenshot 5 – Andex with modified Desktop
Screenshot 6 – Andex with modified Desktop

Softpedia’s review of AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2

Note2: Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build 1, Exton build 2, Exton build 3 and Exton build 4 can run on many more laptops/computers than AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2.

READ MORE or download the ISO file instantly for 7 $…

Note3: The AndEX Lollipop ISO has been out on SourceForge.net and the Swedish Linux Society for free since 150307 until today (150402). The ISO file has been downloaded about 50000 times during that period. More than any of my other Linux distributions (ever).

Android

Android KitKat 4.4.4 x86 – Exton build – for laptops

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Android logoI have compiled an Android x86 system (KitKat 4.4.4), which can run live (from CD) or be installed on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Ausus laptops. The Android system is distributed in the form of an ISO file as the rest of my Linux distributions. I.e. you must (as usual) burn the ISO file to a CD if you want to run the system live on your computer or install it to hard drive. Read about how to burn ISO files. Or skip that. Just use ImgBurn. Nothing can go wrong.

Replacement for Windows, Mac or even Linux Desktop systems?
Some belive what I just said. The Android-x86 Project (Run Android on your PC) is about porting the Android Open Source Project to x86 platform. The Android-x86 Project’s latest release is Android-x86 4.4-r2 from 2015-01-01. The ISO file can be downloaded for free from SourceForge.net or Softpedia. My Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 build from 2015-03-01 will cost you 7 $.

Boot screen

Kernel
Kernel 3.18.2-android-x86+ is used.

Installing new apps
Google Play Store is pre-installed (among many other apps) so you can just go ahead and make your choices…

Install the system to hard drive
Say for example that you have a laptop with Windows 8.1 installed as the only operating system. If you just create one extra partition of about 5 GB you can install Android KitKat on this extra partition and then “dual-boot”. I.e. you can turn on your computer (called “booting it up”) and decide whether you want to start Windows or Android KitKat. Grub will be installed as boot handler/loader during the installation of Android KitKat. Note: The installation will take only about one minute. And the installation to hard drive is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

More about Grub and “dual-boot/multi-boot”
If you already have have one or more Linux systems installed on your computer you should skip installing Grub during the installation of Android KitKat. If you use Grub2 (which Ubuntu and most other Linux systems use as boot loader) you should instead add these lines to /boot/grub/grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom
menuentry ‘Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat 150301 (sda8)’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos8′
linux /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-01/initrd.img
}

If you use Grub Legacy (which is very unusual today even though Android KitKat uses it) you should add thease lines to /boot/grub/menu.lst
title Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat 150301 (sda8)
root (hd0,7)
kernel /android-2015-03-01/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.hardware=android_x86 SRC=/android-2015-03-01
initrd /android-2015-03-01/initrd.img

USB installation
Read my instruction. It is for AndEX (Android) Lollipop, but the same instruction works for my KitKat version.

VirtualBox
You can also (of course) run/test the system in VirtualBox. I.e. run it directly from the ISO file and even install it to a hard drive created in VirtualBox.

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc.

Screenshots
The boot screen
The welcome screen
The Desktop (after I have added a few apps)
All apps (after I have added a few)
Google Play Store is used
The file manager is used
Poweroff

Softpedia’s review of AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2

Note that Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton build 1 and Exton build 2 can run on many more laptops/computers than AndEX (Android-x86) Lollipop 5.0.2.

DOWNLOAD (android_x86-4.4.4-kitkat-exton-build-409mb-150301.iso)

md5sum


Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Exton Linux distributions

Who needs KDE or Gnome?

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LFALFA (Linux for all) version 150225, 64 bit, with Fluxbox as Window Manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop Interface

About
The system is based on upcoming Ubuntu 15.04, codenamed Vivid Vervet and Debian Jessie (upcoming Debian 8). It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system.

The system language is ENGLISH.

News about LFA build 150225
Previous version of LFA (build 141120) had four (4) Desktop environments installed. Namely Unity (Ubuntu), LXDE, Razor-qt and XBMC. LFA build 150225 uses only Fluxbox as window manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop interface. Cairo-Dock is designed to be light, fast and customizable, and is desktop-agnostic. It has a powerful DBus interface, to be controlled from a terminal or another application. Features can be added by plug-ins or applets, and applets can be written in C or in any language. About Fluxbox: Fluxbox is a window manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code. It is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience. So who needs KDE or Gnome?

Screenshot of LFA’s new Desktop.

Program content etc
Among many other programs Google Chrome (so you can watch Netflix movies), GParted (a free partition editor for graphically managing your disk partitions), BlueGriffon Web Editor (works almost like Dreamweaver), Synaptic Package Manager, SMPlayer (a free media player with built-in codecs that can play virtually all video and audio formats) and PCManFM (a very fast file manager). In addition flash and all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. All programs have been updated to the latest available version as of February 25, 2015. See a complete list of all installed packages.

Web based applications
In order to keep down the LFA system size (so you can run LFA superfast from RAM) I have refrained from installing LibreOffice and Gimp. Instead I offer links in Google Chrome to Onlyoffice.com (A Free alternative to Microsoft Office) and Pixlr.com (Photo Editor – works almost like Adobe Photoshop). Both apps are very easy to use. An alternative to Pixlr.com is Toolpic.com.

Screenshot – Pixlr.com’s Photo Editor in use

Screenshot – Onlyoffice.com’s writer in use

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 3.19.0-5-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 3.19.0.

Feature OVERVIEW for the Linux 3.19 kernel

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Exton Linux distributions

ExTiX 15.1.1 KDE with KDE Frameworks 5.7.0 and kernel 3.19.0-5-exton

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extix-logo-black-white-bgNEWS ABOUT ExTiX 15.1.1 KDE build 150221
In this new extra version/build I have replaced Unity/Ubuntu with KDE 4.14.4 (latest) and KDE Frameworks 5.7.0. KDE Frameworks are 60 addon libraries to Qt which provide a wide variety of commonly needed functionality in mature, peer reviewed and well tested libraries with friendly licensing terms. All common KDE packages are installed- packages LIST. I have added LibreOffice (the whole suite), Google Chrome (to make it possible to watch Netflix movies), Samba (so you can reach your Windows shares) and GCC and other compilation tools (so that you can install packages from source). Kernel 3.19.0-5-exton is used.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL about ExTiX and especially version 150221 and 150205?
1. The ExTiX ISO is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can then even run ExTiX from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! I’ve found two scripts which make the installation to USB very simple. My tests show that they work flawlessly on USB installations of all normal Ubuntu systems. Read my INSTRUCTION how to use the scripts.
2. Another big improvement is that ExTiX can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (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 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!
3. ExTiX is now more stable than ever. All packages have been upgraded to the latest versions by 150221 and 150205.
4. I’ve replaced kernel 3.16.0-21-exton with kernel 3.19.0-5-exton and 3.18.0-10-exton (Kernel.org’s stable kernel 3.19.0/3.18.3).
5. The installation program Ubiquity (live installer) is now working as intended. I.e. a new user (your user) will be created during the installation process.

See this screenshot of ExTiX KDE’s Desktop

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Exton Linux distributions

DebEX KDE with KDE 4.14.3/KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 and kernel 3.19.0-5-exton

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DebianNEWS ABOUT DebEX KDE build 150219
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 150116. It’s a pure Debian 8 system. I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. (One could also say it’s The real McCoy!). DebEX KDE uses KDE 4.14.3 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 as Desktop environment. (The latest stable version of KDE) and kernel 3.19.0-5-exton. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 346.35. Furthermore Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. I’ve added SMPlayer – an alternative to Vlc. (SMPlayer is a free media player for Windows and Linux with built-in codecs that can play virtually all video and audio formats. It doesn’t need any external codecs. Just install SMPlayer and you’ll be able to play all formats without the hassle to find and install codec packs). All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version of 150219. Study the full package list.

Rolling distribution
Debian Jessie/DebEX are rolling distributions, 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). This means, for example, that you can go on and install Gnome 3.14 or/and KDE 4.14.3 in DebEX Barebone/KDE. I.e. the latest versions (as of 150219) of Gnome and KDE.

Screenshot of the KDE Plasma Desktop in version 150219 of DebEX KDE

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Exton Linux distributions

A new version of EXTON OpSuS (openSUSE) is ready!

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openSUSEEXTON OpSuS 13.2 KDE is based on openSUSE 13.2, released 20150108. EXTON OpSuS KDE uses kernel 3.16.7 and KDE 4.14.4. Installed programs: Among many other programs, Firefox, Thunderbird, FileZilla, Gimp, Vlc, Network Manager, Samba client, GParted and LibreOffice. Study the full list of PACKAGES. You’ll run the system as root or as the ordinary user live. Root’s and live’s password is root/live. EXTON OpSuS can easily be installed to hard drive (of those who so desire). That is directly while running the system from a USB stick. All programs have been updated to the latest available stable version as of February 17, 2015. The system language is English.

Installing to a USB stick and/or to hard drive
After installing EXTON OpSuS 13.2 to a USB stick, you can change the system completely and then install the system to a hard drive. You can also continue to have it only on the USB stick and run EXTON OpSuS on any computer you want. If you install EXTON OpSuS on a large enough (and fast) USB pen drive, you can go ahead and install for example Cinnamon, Mate or Xfce4. All your system changes are automatically saved to the USB stick. Persistence!

Why should someone choose EXTON OpSuS/openSUSE?

See a screenshot of the KDE Desktop

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Exton Linux distributions

Run the world’s most popular Linux system with the latest kernel – 3.19.0!

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MeX LinuxNEWS/CHANGES in MeX Linux build 150214
All packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 150214. Cairo-Dock has been replaced by Docky. The most important change is that I have replaced the install program Ubiquity with MeX Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the hard drive installation process. Also: Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca is based on Debian and Ubuntu 14.04. MeX build 150214 is based on Debian Jessie, Ubuntu 14.10 and Linux Mint 17.1. I have replaced kernel 3.16.0-28-generic with “my” special kernel 3.19.0-5-exton (corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 3.19.0).

Program content
To make it possible to run MeX from RAM I have kept down the number of installed packages. The MeX ISO file is of 1260 MB. The ISO size has increased a bit because of me installing Google Chrome (to make it possible to watch Netflix movies). All packages have been updated to the latest available stable version as of February 14, 2015. See a complete list of all installed packages.

Used KERNEL
The latest original Ubuntu kernel 3.16.0-28-generic (for live systems) corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 3.16.4 has been replaced by “my” special kernel 3.19.0-5-exton (corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 3.19.0). The best thing with kernel 3.19 is that it has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

Feature OVERVIEW for the Linux 3.19 kernel

Who can benefit from MeX?
All who like Debian/Ubuntu/Mint and want a system that is easy to use and maintain. Also those who want to run a Linux system superfast from RAM and/or like to run Linux from a USB flash drive. And those who want the latest stable kernel – 3.19.0.

See this screenshot of the Cinnamon Desktop

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LINUX

Softpedia: Exton|OS is the first to include Linux kernel 3.19

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Softpedia 150211
After releasing the first GNU/Linux distribution with Linux 3.18 kernel a couple of days after its launch back in December 2014, Arne Exton did it again, as he just announced today on Twitter that the his Exton|OS with MATE has been updated to version 150211 and includes a custom 3.19.0-5-exton kernel package based on the upstream Linux kernel 3.19.

In other words, Exton|OS is the first distribution to include the brand-new Linux kernel 3.19, which means that the operating system will offer all the features of Linux kernel 3.19. Besides having an Ubuntu 14.10 base, the Exton|OS computer operating system borrows features from the forthcoming Debian 8 (Jessie) distro, which is currently in development.

READ MORE (about Exton|OS)…

Exton Linux distributions

Exton|OS 64 bit with Mate and kernel 3.19.0-5-exton :: build 150211

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NEWS 150211
A new and much better version of Exton|OS is ready. I have replaced kernel 3.16.0-21-exton with kernel 3.19.0-5-exton. (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 3.19.0, released 150209). With kernel 3.19.0 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.

Feature OVERVIEW for the Linux 3.19 kernel

Desktop Environment and programs
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.8.1. (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Kernel 3.19.0-5-exton. (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 3.19.0, released 150209). Program content: Firefox, Gimp, Google Chrome (added for Netflix), 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 February 11, 2015. Study the full package list.

See a screenshot of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop

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About all Exton Linux distributions