Tag Archives: Linux

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

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!


Run your Ubuntu/Debian 64 bit system with the latest kernel – 4.18.3!

linuxI have compiled yet another Ubuntu/Debian kernel for 64 bit systems. This time kernel 4.18.3-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest kernel 4.18.3 released yesterday (180818).

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.18?

Install kernel 4.18.3-exton in Ubuntu/Debian based distributions
My self-compiled Ubuntu kernels can be used in all types of modern Ubuntu systems, including Mint. They can even be used in Debian Stretch (Debian 9) and Debian Buster (upcoming Debian 10). If you want to use my kernel 4.18.3-exton for 64 bit systems, you can DOWNLOAD it from here.

Installation instructions
Open the zip-file with WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip. Or run this command: unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.18.3-exton.zip. Go into the folder ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.18.3-exton and run this command:
sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Then: Run command sudo update-grub (if you use Grub2).

Nvidia
It is possible to install Nvidia’s proprietary drivers if you use “my” kernel 4.18.3-exton. Could be useful if you like to play games. The Nvidia drivers in for example Ubuntu’s repositories – “Current” etc. – can’t be used. It is supposed to be “impossible” to install Nvidia’s latest drivers when running kernel 4.18 without “patches” etc. On the other hand it’s a fact that kernel 4.18 has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

A small clarification
“My” kernel 4.18.3-exton is compiled (almost) the same way as all official Ubuntu kernels. That is, The Ubuntu Way. If not, the kernel would not function in a Ubuntu/Debian system.

Good luck!


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 18.4 – “The Ultimate Linux System” – with LXQt 0.12.0, Refracta Tools, Calamares Installer and kernel 4.16.2-exton – Build 180419

I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 18.4 LXQt Live DVD. (The previous version was 17.8 from 171012).

ABOUT
ExTiX 18.4
LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver, to be released 180426. 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.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.16.2-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.16.2.

What’s new in kernel 4.16?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 18.4 Build 180419 with the LXQt Desktop environment
1. ExTiX LXQt is based on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver. LXQt 0.12.0 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 180419. Kernel 4.16.2-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s kernel 4.16.2).
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.

Refracta Tools
While running ExTiX LXQt 18.4 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!

THE IMPORTANCE of ExTiX LXQt now being based on Ubuntu 18.04 (UNSTABLE/DEVELOPMENT)
I don’t think it is too important since ExTiX LXQt doesn’t use complicated Desktop Environments like KDE, Gnome or Unity. Programs won’t crash or anything like that. And I haven’t discovered any bugs to report. Besides the FinalFreeze of upcoming Ubuntu 18.04 is today (180419).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of ExTiX 18.4 Desktop – LXQt 0.12.0
Netflix running in ExTiX 18.4
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 Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2!

DebEX Barebone (Debian unstable/experimental) with Budgie Desktop 10.4, Refracta tools and kernel 4.15.4-exton – Build 180219

NEWS 180219 about DebEX Budgie – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Budgie Desktop 10.4 and kernel 4.15.4-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest kernel 4.15.4) is ready. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of February 19, 2018. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian unstable/experimental. I.e. cutting edge software is used. Most important: The ISO has decreased from 1330 MB to 899 MB, which makes it easier to run the system live from RAM. That ability allows DebEX Budgie to be very fast, since reading and writing data from/to RAM is much faster than from a hard disk drive.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in all three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/debex.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Budgie Desktop when logged in as the ordinary user user
2. The Budgie Desktop when logged in as root
3. The Budgie Desktop when Refracta snapshot is running

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

EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed – KDE_Plasma/Cinnamon 64 bit Linux Live USB – Build 180114 – with USB persistence!

EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed is based on openSUSE Tumbleweed, which is a rolling distribution. I.e. no need for new installations. Just run the command sudo zypper dup and you will always get the latest stable packages/kernels.

ABOUT
EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed uses kernel 4.14.12-1. Desktop environments: KDE 4.14.38 and Cinnamon 3.6.2. Installed programs: Among many other programs, Firefox, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Thunderbird, Gimp, SMPlayer, NetworkManager, GParted and LibreOffice. 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). You’ll have to do it manually though – please read below. All programs have been updated to the latest available stable version as of January 14, 2018. The system language is English.

Installing to a USB stick with persistence and then to hard drive
After installing EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed to a USB stick, you can change the system completely and then install the system (manually) to a hard drive. You can also continue to have it only on the USB stick. If you install EXTON OpSuS on a large enough (and fast) USB stick, you can go ahead and install for example LXDE, Mate or Xfce4. All your system changes are automatically saved to the USB stick. Note that you’ll have to use a different/new USB stick if you want to run EXTON OpSuS on another computer. That’s because certain files necessary for the configuration will be destroyed after the first boot. I.e.: You’ll have to use the same USB stick on the same computer all the time. Note also that all other Linux systems (and Windows systems) you may have installed on your computer will be bootable from the USB stick’s Grub menu – Grub picture 1 and picture 2. You may have to start EXTON OpSuS in Recovery mode after the first boot as picture 2 shows.

Manual installation of EXTON OpSuS from USB stick to hard drive
PREREQUISITE: You’ll have to have at least one Linux system installed on your computer and use Grub2 as boot loader. If so then follow my INSTRUCTION.

Why should someone choose EXTON OpSuS/openSUSE?
openSUSE is grossly underestimated (in my opinion). It’s a wonderful Linux system.

SCREENSHOTS
Running KDE
Running Cinnamon
Grub menu when booting from the USB stick for the second time
Grub is updated
Install commands
Installing to USB with Etcher

READ MORE….

AndEX Oreo 8.1 (Android-x86_64) – Build 180103 – with GAPPS, Aptoide App Manager and Win 10 Launcher

NEWS 180103 about AndEX Oreo 8.1
My new build of Android x86_64 – andex-x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-aptoide-windows-1280mb-180103.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 8.1 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. NOTE: You can run AndEX Oreo Build 180103 on newer laptops and Desktop computers. The sound and video performance is generally very very good.

WARNING
Google Play Store doesn’t work in AndEX Oreo 8.1 because you can’t sign in to Google. Aptoide App Manager is a good replacement though, since Google Play Services work. I.e. you can install Google apps via Aptoide. If you want to install AndEX Oreo 8.1 to hard drive you’ll have to do it manually. Please read my INSTRUCTION.

Screenshot – AndEX Build 180103 – the Desktop with Win 10 Launcher for Android 8.1 Oreo

MORE NEWS 180103: AndEX – Oreo 8.1 with kernel 4.9.54-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 8.5.39.W-all, Aptoide App Manager 8.6.02, Google Play Games, Gmail and YouTube 12.45.56. Also many other apps. For example: Spotify 8.4.31.723, File Manager 2.2.0.199, Firefox 57.0.1, Google Chrome 63.0.32, Clash of Clans 9.434.4 and Popcorn Time 2.8.0.2.

Android Oreo 8.1 was released 171205.

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. Also: In AndEX Oreo Build 180103 almost all apps and games can be installed NOT via Google Play Store, but via Aptoide App Manager. You can even install very big games (of 1GB or so), but unfortunately almost all such games need a touchscreen. Still not convinced? Then read my article about “How useful an Androx-x86 system can be for the average computer user“.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Win 10 Launcher
Screenshot 2 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Microsoft Launcher
Screenshot 3 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Aptoide App Manager running
Screenshot 4 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Boot animation
Screenshot 5 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Desktop with Win 10 Launcher
Screenshot 6 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – AndEX Oreo running Google Maps
Screenshot 7 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – AndEX Oreo first screen after boot – choose launcher

READ MORE…

SlackEX Build 171223 (Slackware 14.2) live dvd/usb with KDE 4.14.38, kernel 4.14.8-x86_64-efi-exton, Nvidia 384.98 and VirtualBox 5.2.4

Slackware is the first widely-used Linux system, which is still developing. Slackware has existed since 1993. In comparison with for example Ubuntu and Linux Mint, many people believe that Slackware is “difficult”. Any novice can quickly learn to use Ubuntu they say. My remaster of Slackware Current (14.2), which I call SlackEX 14.2/Current 64 bit Linux Live DVD/USB, is however just as easy to use as Ubuntu and/or Linux Mint. Some tend to complain that the Program Management in Slackware is awkward. That was perhaps earlier the case, but not anymore. Now we have the Application Managers Slackpkg and GSlapt – a GTK version of slapt-get. They are a piece of cake to use! Users of Synaptic will feel at ease with GSlapt.

New features in version 171223 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.12.9-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.14.8-x86_64-efi-exton with support for “everything”. Kernel 4.14.8 was released 171220. KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.38 (latest KDE version). All other component software is also upgraded to the latest Slackware Current version by now. I may also mention in particular GParted 0.29.0, VirtualBox 5.2.4 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 63.0.3239.108 (not in Slackware’s repositories – you can download my build at SourceForge.net), Gimp 2.8.10 (installed from source), GSlapt 0.5.4b, Slackpkg 2.82.1, Firefox 57.0.2, Thunderbird 52.5.0, Samba 4.7.3 and GCC 7.2.0. Furthermore I have installed Grub2, which can be used as boot loader (if you want) after a hard drive install. Study the full package LIST. Note: I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better in SlackEX.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – KDE 4.14.38 Desktop with Netflix running
Screenshot 2 – KDE 4.14.38 Desktop with VirtualBox running
Screenshot 3 – Samba running
Screenshot 4 – Nvidia settings and GSlapt running
Screenshot 5 – Hard drive installation of SlackEX in VirtualBox
Screenshot 6 – SMPlayer running

The end of the road…
I will end my SlackEX project now. It’s not needed anymore (if it ever was). Alienbob’s Slackware systems are built with liveslak scripts. Anyone can use the scripts. No special knowledge of Slackware (or Linux) is needed. A lot of different Slackware systems (built with liveslak) can be downloaded. They can all be installed to hard drive using a script called setup2hd. They can also be transferred to a USB stick using a script called iso2usb.sh.

READ MORE about SlackEX….

DebEX KDE (Debian Buster/Sid) Build 171203 with Plasma 5.37 and Calamares Installer (so you can install DebEX in any language!)

NEWS 171203 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD. It replaces version 171023. It’s a pure Debian 10 system. (Buster/Sid). I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE Plasma uses KDE 4.16 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:37 as Desktop environment. It uses kernel 4.13.0-16-exton – (4.13.4). I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 384.90. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox 57.0 (for Netflix). I’ve also 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 171203. Study the full package list. MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE: I have replaced Refracta Installer with Calamares 3.1.9 Installer Framework. Now you can choose language when the installation starts. When it’s ready everything will be in your chosen language! Log in to KDE as the ordinary user user with password live or as root (superuser) with password root.

About Calamares
I’ve installed Calamares in ArchEX (Arch Linux) Build 171129. It works extremely well. So I thought why not install Calamares also in DebEX?  Watch a YouTube video about running Calamares in ArchEX. Calamares works in the same way in DebEX.  What is Calamares?  – Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Calamares aims to be easy, usable, beautiful, pragmatic, inclusive and distribution-agnostic. Calamares includes an advanced partitioning feature, with support for both manual and automated partitioning operations. It is the first installer with an automated “Replace Partition” option, which makes it easy to reuse a partition over and over for distribution testing.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta snapshot (pre-installed in all three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian 10 system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. Or change that by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf.

Screenshot of DebEX’s Desktop when Calamares is running
Screenshot of DebEX’s Desktop when Refracta snapshot is running

READ MORE…

ArchEX (Arch Linux) with Deepin 15.5, LXQt, kernel 4.13.12-1-ARCH, Firefox 57.0, Yaourt and Calamares installer – Build 171129

NEWS about ArchEX 171129
A new version of ArchEX is ready! In this new version, which I call ArchEX 2018, I have added the Deepin 15.5 (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 18.0. So I thought why not install Deepin also in ArchEX?

Study all installed packages in ArchEX 2018 Deepin/LXQt.

Why trust a Chinese Distribution?

NEWS 171129 about Calamares Installer
I’ve finally managed to make Calamares 3.1.8 (The universal installer framework) work without problems/issues. Calamares 3.1.8 totally new. Released November 14, 2017. This version gives you more control over the installation process. Now you can use Calamares to install ArchEX in any language. The boot loader Grub2 (which can be installed during the installation of ArchEX) will also work without problems.

WHAT IS ArchEX?
ArchEX 64 bit is a new (171129) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.13.12-1-ARCH the Deepin 15.5 and the LXQt 0.12 Desktop environments. Deepin 15.5 Desktop (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. About LXQt: 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.

INSTALLED SOFTWARE
Among many other programs, Firefox 57.0 (for Netflix), Gimp, Spotify, GCC, Wicd and GParted – study this package LIST.

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
ArchEX Deepin Desktop
ArchEX Deepin full Desktop
ArchEX running Calamares
ArchEX LXQt Desktop
ArchEX starting up live
ArchEX starting up from hard drive (VirtualBox)
ArchEX Installer (Calamares) running
When Cinnamon is installed (pacman -S cinnamon)
When Xfce4 is installed (pacman -S xfce4)
When KDE (Plasma) is installed (pacman -S plasma-meta and pacman -S kde-applications-meta)
When Enlightenment is installed (pacman -S enlightenment)
ALL extra desktops can be installed in about 10 min!

READ MORE…