Monthly Archives: January 2016

Android, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Build 8 with GAPPS, kernel 4.0.9-exton-android-x86, Bluetooth (working!) and Mesa 10.5.9

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android-x86-kitkat-exton-160125-smallAndroid-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton Build 160125, version 8, is a ready!
I’ve added Mesa (3D Graphics Library) 10.5.9 for better Graphic performance. The system can run live (from CD or a USB stick) 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. You can easily install the system to your hard drive and install new apps. You can also install new apps while running the system live. Google Play Store is pre-installed so you can just make your choices…

Used kernel
4.0.9-exton-android-x86.

Replacement
This version (Build 8) replaces all my previous (7) Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat builds. In version 8 (as in version 7) I’ve added GAPPS. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Maps, YouTube and more apps (for example Bluetooth File Transfer, Spotify and WPS Office). Everything just works.

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. Read my article About how useful an Android-x86 system can be for the average computer user.

Screenshots
The Japanese Koi Fish Desktop pic 1
Enable Bluetooth in Settings pic 2
Scanning for Bluetooth devices with Bluetooth File Transfer pic 3

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

exGENT (Gentoo) 64 bit Linux Live DVD with kernel 4.4 – Build 160123

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gentooNEWS 20160123 ABOUT exGENT
I’ve made yet a new version (20160123) of exGENT based on Gentoo Linux. Now with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.4. It’s for the 64 bit architecture. I call it exGENT 2016 Xfce4 Live DVD. It replaces version 20141227. The ISO file is of 2280 MB due to the fact that this version has a lot of packages pre-installed. Among them two different Web Browsers: Firefox and Opera. Despite this exGENT version 160123 runs surprisingly fast from DVD or USB. Even in VirtualBox. Faster than most other Linux live systems. All installed packages in exGENT have been updated to the latest available version by 160123.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.4.0-gentoo-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.4. It’s the latest stable kernel as of now.

What’s new in kernel 4.4?

Programs etc
The best thing with exGENT is the premier auto detection of hardware and the ability to easily install the system to hard drive during a live session. Installed programs: Among many others GParted, GNU Emacs, Firefox, Thunderbird, Samba, AbiWord, Nvidia Graphics driver 352.63 and NetworkManager. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source the Gentoo way. (After the installation to hard drive).

Quick install to Hard Drive
exGENT Linux can be installed to hard drive in 3 – 10 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.

UPGRADE the System
The exGENT System (version 160123) 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
(Since I haven’t upgraded exGENT since 20141227 it now took me four (4) days to upgrade/compile all included packages).

SPOTIFY
You can easy and quick install Spotify in exGENT. Just run the command emerge spotify. The installation takes about 1 min.

Who is exGENT/Gentoo for?
Experienced Linux users or those who really want to learn Linux.

What happened to the 32 bit version?
Please note that the 32 bit version of exGENT from December 2014 won’t be upgraded. I have deleted the ISO file from the servers. Almost no downloads! I guess 32 bit Linux systems are out of fashion nowadays.

Screenshots
exGENT running Audacity
exGENT running Brasero
exGENT running Samba
exGENT running Spotify

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 16.1 – Build 160120 – with LXQt 0.10.0 and kernel 4.4.0-0-exton

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extix-logo-black-white-bgI have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 16.1 LXQt Live DVD. (The previous version was 15.4).

ABOUT
ExTiX 16.1 LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.2 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 15.10. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed LXQt 0.10.0. 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 4.4.0-0-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.4. It’s the latest stable kernel as of now.

What’s new in kernel 4.4?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 16.1 build 160120 with LXQt Desktop environment
1. ExTiX LXQt is based on Ubuntu 15.10 Wily Werewolf. LXQt 0.10.0 (not in Ubuntu’s repositories) is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 160120. Kernel 4.4.0-0-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s kernel 4.4). Ubuntu 15.10 uses kernel 4.2.
2. Google Chrome is used as Web Browser, which makes it possible to watch Netflix movies. It is not possible in Firefox (in Linux).
3. I have also installed BlueGriffon Web Editor. BlueGriffon is a new WYSIWYG content editor for the World Wide Web. Powered by Gecko, the rendering engine of Firefox, it’s a modern and robust solution to edit Web pages in conformance to the latest Web Standards. Only to be compared with Dreamweaver. (In my opinion).
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.
5. I have also installed Nvidia Graphic driver 352.63 in the LXQt version. It has support for the following GPUs: Quadro K1200, Quadro M6000, GeForce 920M, GeForce 930A, GeForce 930M, GeForce 940M, GeForce GTX 950M, GeForce GTX 960M and GeForce GTX TITAN X. This driver will be used automatically if your card is supported.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL about ExTiX and especially the new version from 160120?
1. The ExTiX ISO’s are ISO-hybrids, which means that they can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run ExTiX from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
2. Another big improvement is that both ExTiX versions 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 LXQt is now more stable than ever. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 160120.
4. I’ve replaced kernel 4.2.0-16-exton with kernel 4.4.0-0-exton (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 4.4).
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.

Screenshot of ExTiX 16.1 Desktop – LXQt 0.10.0

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LINUX

Run your Ubuntu/Debian 64 bit system with the latest stable kernel – 4.4.0!

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linuxI have compiled yet another Ubuntu/Debian kernel for 64 bit systems. This time kernel 4.4.0-0-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.4.0 released 160110.

What’s new in kernel 4.4?

Install kernel 4.4.0-0-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 Jessie (Debian 8.2) and Debian Stretch (upcoming Debian 9). If you want to use my kernel 4.4.0-0-exton for 64 bit systems, you can DOWNLOAD it from here.

md5sum for ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.4.0-0-exton.zip which is of 65,9 MB.

Installation instructions
Open the zip-file with WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip. Or run this command: unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.4.0-0-exton.zip. Go into the folder ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.4.0-0-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 4.4.0-0-exton. Could be useful if you like to play games. Please read this instruction. 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 4.0 – 4.4 without “patches” etc. On the other hand it’s a fact that kernel 4.4 has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

A small clarification
“My” kernel 4.4.0-0-exton is compiled exactly 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!

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.3.3 – Build 160109 based on Debian Stretch and Sid

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debex-barebone-installer-160109-smallNEWS 160109 about DebEX Barebone
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.3.0-5-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.3.3) is ready. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 352.63. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of January 9, 2016. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian testing – Stretch – (upcoming Debian 9) and Debian unstable – Sid. I have now installed Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. No Linux system is complete without it. The size of the ISO file has therefore increased from 1150 MB to 1460 MB. Announcement about Xfce 4.12, released 150228: Today, after 2 years and 10 months of work, we are pleased to announce the release of the Xfce desktop 4.12, a new stable version that supersedes Xfce 4.10. This long period can only be explained by how awesome Xfce 4.10 was. But as all things, it needed some refreshing – and for that we saw lots of new contributors providing valuable feedback, features and bugfixes. As always, Xfce follows its steady pace of evolution without revolution that seems to match our users’ needs.

Three DebEX Linux systems
There are now three new DebEX systems. Namely DebEX Barebone 160109, DebEX Gnome 160105 and DebEX KDE 160102. All three use kernel 4.3.0-5-exton.

Runs from RAM
All three systems 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 Barebone, Gnome and KDE ISO files are of 1460 MB, 1720 MB respectively 1490 MB).

The importance of the fact that DebEX Barebone 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 1 – DebEX Barebone running DebEX Installer

Screenshot 2 – DebEX Barebone running Samba

Screenshot 3 – DebEX Barebone running Google Chrome with Netflix

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

EXTON Linux MultiBootCD 6-OS – Build 160106

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exton-multibootcd-boot-smallLatest News about EXTON Linux MultiBootCD 6-OS – 160106
A new version of EXTON Linux MultibootCD 6-OS is ready. Changes: New (latest) versions of Porteus, GParted, Puppy Linux (PuppEX Slacko), 4MLinux, SliTaz and Tiny Core. Note about VirtualBox: All systems but Porteus can run in VirtualBox. Why Porteus won’t run I don’t know.

usb-smallInstall EXTON MultiBootCD to a USB stick » HOWTO

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Build 160105 with Gnome 3.18.3 and Mate 1.12.1

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debex-gnome-desktop-synaptic-160105-smallNEWS 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

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX KDE with kernel 4.3.3 (latest) and KDE 4.14.2 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84

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debex-kde-desktop-160102-smallNEWS 160102
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 150830. It’s a pure Debian 8.2 system. I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE uses KDE 4.14.2 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 as Desktop environment and kernel 4.3.0-5-exton. (Latest as of 160102). I have pre-installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.63. Furthermore Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. 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 160102. Study the full package list.

Software management
DebEX (all three versions) uses Apt (apt-get) and Synaptic. I have also installed Pacapt (an Arch’s pacman-like package manager). It works extremely well. Available commands: pacapt -h. For example: pacapt -S libreoffice installs LibreOffice.

Runs from RAM
DebEX KDE 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!

Screenshot of the KDE Plasma Desktop in version 160102 of DebEX KDE – pic1

Screenshot of the KDE Desktop with Netflix running in version 160102 of DebEX KDE – pic2

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