Monthly Archives: October 2016

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Create your own Ubuntu 16.04.1/16.10 64 bit live installable system using MeX and Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

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NEWS/CHANGES 161030
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 161030 is based only on Debian 8.6 and Ubuntu 16.04.1. I have replaced the original kernel with “my” special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton. All packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 161030. This version of MeX uses Cinnamon 3.0.7. Linux Mint 18 also uses Cinnamon 3.0.7 as Desktop environment.

mex-refracta-spotify-smallMORE MeX NEWS 161030
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 5 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 1000 MB so MeX will run superfast from RAM!
3. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in MeX Build 161030) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.04 or 16.10 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install MeX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 16.04.1/16.10 system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Refracta tools running
Screenshot 2 – Spotify running (install it with sudo apt-get install spotify-client)
Screenshot 3 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Samba
Screenshot 4 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Refracta2USB running
Screenshot 5 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with SMPlayer running
Screenshot 6 – Google Chrome with Netflix running
Screenshot 7 – Boot screen

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Xfce4 Build 161025 – Create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

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debex-refracta-start2-smallNEWS 161025 about DebEX Xfce4 – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8) is ready. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. Read about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 25, 2016. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian testing – Stretch – (upcoming Debian 9) and Debian unstable – Sid. I have replaced Google Chrome with Tor Browser – it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked. 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.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in DebEX Xfce4) to create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD once you have installed DebEX Xfce4 to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian Stretch 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 9 system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! I have also pre-installed VirtualBox in DebEX Xfce4 so you can test run your own created new Debian Stretch ISO.

New installed packages
I have added VirtualBox, Midori Private Browser, SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos) and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. Study all installed packages.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of the Boot menu in DebEX Xfce4 created with the Refracta tools
Screenshot of the Xfce4 Desktop in DebEX Barebone Xfce4 Build 161025

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS Light Build 161021 :: Based on Ubuntu 16.10 with kernel 4.8.0-25-exton (4.8.1)

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exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 161021 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – ISO file of 970 MB
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 16.10 (alias Yakkety Yak) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PCManFM (file manager), NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers), Audacious (a small and fast audio player which supports lots of formats) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at October 21, 2016. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.8.1. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system.

SCREENSHOTS
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
See a screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running
See a screenshot when Spotify is running – (install Spotify with: sudo apt-get install spotify-client)

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3/2 – Build 161019 – based on Ubuntu 16.10 with LXDE and kernel 4.4.21

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raspberry-logoNEWS 161019 about RaspEX LXDE for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
I have upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel 4.1.20 with kernel 4.4.21. RaspEX Build 161019 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.6), Ubuntu Yakkety Yak (Ubuntu 16.10, released 161013) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (161019) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and replaced Chromium with Firefox with better support for YouTube. I have also installed Samba and VNC4Server so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools, Midori Private Browser, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos) and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. Study all installed packages in RaspEX Build 161019.

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compatibility :: October 2016
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX with LXDE, RaspEX with Kodi, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Lollipop and RaspArch. I have now (161019) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 161019 and 160426 are (of course) even faster, especially if you run the systems on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba
Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy
Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC-viewer
Screenshot 4 – RaspEX running Midori Private Browser
Screenshot 5 – RaspEX using Pavucontrol (for sound)
Screenshot 6 – RaspEX running SMTube (search and watch YouTube videos)

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExLight Live DVD – based on Ubuntu 16.10 – with Enlightenment 0.20 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton

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exlight-theme-screenshot-smallWHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 161016?
NOTE: Version 161016 replaces version 160810.
1. ExLight is now based on Ubuntu 16.10 (alias Yakkety Yak) and Debian 8.6 Jessie.
2. I have upgraded the Desktop environment Enlightenment (Beauty at your fingertips) to version 0.20.99.0 (from 0.19.12).
3. I have replaced kernel 4.6.0-10-exlight with my special kernel 4.8.0-21-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8. If you want to use “my” kernel in another Ubuntu/Debian system you can download it.
4. ExLight’s ISO file is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can then even run ExLight from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
5. Another big improvement is that ExLight 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 ExLight that way.
6. The installation program Ubiquity (live installer) is now working as intended in ExLight version 161016. I.e. a new user (your user) will be created during the installation process.
7. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28.
8. I have added seven animated wallpapers.

What’s new in kernel 4.8?

enlightenment-logoInstalled packages
The Desktop Environment is Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 (Beauty at your fingertips). Kernel 4.8.0-21-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 4.8). Program content: Libre Office, Synaptic, GParted, SMPlayer (an alternative to Vlc), Wicd, PCManFM, Google Chrome (for watching Netflix movies) and Gimp. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source. I have also included Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28. It has support for the following GPUs (among others): GeForce 10, GeForce 900, GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce 700, Quadro Series, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Study the full ExLight program LIST. All programs have been updated to the latest available version as at October 16, 2016.

The system language is English.

Some cool things to do in ExLight Linux…

Screenshots
ExLight – how to change Enlightenment theme
ExLight running Google Chrome with Netflix
ExLight running Spotify

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 16.5 – based on Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak – with LXQt 0.10.0 and kernel 4.8.0-21-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 16.5 LXQt Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.3 from 160530).

ABOUT
ExTiX 16.5 LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.6 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and upcoming Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak. (Ubuntu 16.10 is to be officially released 161013). 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.

Installed packages
Google Chrome (for Netflix), LibreOffice, BlueGriffon Web Editor, 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.

NVIDIA
I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version ExTiX LXQt. It has support for the following GPUs: Quadro K1200, Quadro M6000, Quadro P6000, Quadro P5000, 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.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.8.0-21-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8. It’s the second latest stable kernel as of now.

What’s new in kernel 4.8?

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of ExTiX 16.5 Desktop – LXQt 0.10.0
Google Chrome with Netflix running
Connections to Windows computers via PCManFM using Samba

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LINUX

Run your Slackware installation with the latest kernel – 4.8.1!

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SlackwareNEWS 161010
Kernel 4.8.1-x86_64-exton is my newest Slackware kernel. The stable kernel 4.8.1 was released on October 7, 2016.

I have compiled a very useful (as I think) 64 bit kernel for Slackware Current (14.2) and/or all Slackware derivatives. For example Slax, Zenwalk and SlackEX. The kernel is compiled exactly the same way as Slackware’s latest kernel huge. “My” kernel 4.8.1-x86_64-exton has even more support for new hardware, etc. Kernel 4.8.1 is the latest kernel available from Kernel.org. Released 20161007.

What’s new in kernel 4.8?

If you want to install my kernel in your Slackware 64 bit system, do this:

1. Download linux-kernel-4.8.1-x86_64-exton.txz – md5sum
2. Install it with the command installpkg linux-kernel-4.8.1-x86_64-exton.txz
(The kernel is packed just like Slackware’s original kernels so that everything ends up in the right place)
4. If necessary, change your Grub Legacy/Grub2 configuration
5. If you have an Nvidia graphics card in your computer, you may need to look over your files in /etc/modprobe.d before restarting the computer. That is remove the “blacklisting” of Nouveau’s kernel module in the appropriate files blacklist.conf and nvidia-installer-disable-nouveau.conf. With “my” kernel functions the Nouveau “free” driver works just fine.

NOTE: When you run the command installpkg linux-kernel-4.8.1-x86_64-exton.txz vmlinuz will be “created” in /boot. If you have /boot/vmlinuz already that file will be overwritten. In case you want to switch back to your old kernel you should make a backup of /boot/vmlinuz before you run the just mentioned command.

Restart your computer and enjoy!

exton-se-logo

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Barebone (Debian) Live DVD with Xfce 4.12.1, kernel 4.8 and Tor Browser – Build 161009

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debex-live-tor-browser-smallAbout DebEX Barebone, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE Linux 64 bit
All three systems/distributions are a based on Debian. DebEX KDE is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.6). DebEX Barebone and DebEX Gnome are based on Debian testing (Stretch) and Debian unstable (Sid). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone. Gnome 3.22 and Mate 1.16 are used in DebEX Gnome. KDE 4.14.2 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 are used in DebEX KDE. DebEX Barebone Xfce4 and DebEX Gnome use my special kernel 4.8.0-21-exton. (Kernel 4.8). DebEX KDE uses my special kernel 4.8.0-18-exton. (Kernel 4.8-rc8). The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

NEWS 161009 about DebEX Xfce4
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8) is ready. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. Read more about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 9, 2016. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian testing – stretch – (upcoming Debian 9) and Debian unstable – sid. I have replaced Google Chrome with Tor Browser – it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked. The size of the ISO file has therefore increased from 1460 MB to 1620 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.

Runs from RAM
All three DebEX 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 1620 MB, 1830 MB respectively 1510 MB).

SCREENSHOTS
Tor Browser running when I’m logged in as the ordinary user live. (You can’t run Tor Browser as root).
Using Samba to connect to my Windows computers

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Gnome Live DVD with Gnome 3.22 (latest), Mate 1.16 (latest) and kernel 4.8 (latest)

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debex-gnome-live-desktop-smallAbout DebEX Barebone, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE Linux 64 bit
All three systems/distributions are a based on Debian. DebEX KDE is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.6). DebEX Barebone and DebEX Gnome are based on Debian testing (Stretch) and Debian unstable (Sid). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone. Gnome 3.22 and Mate 1.16 are used in DebEX Gnome. KDE 4.14.2 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 are used in DebEX KDE. DebEX Gnome uses my special kernel 4.8.0-21-exton. (Kernel 4.8). DebEX KDE uses my special kernel 4.8.0-18-exton. (Kernel 4.8-rc8). DebEX Barebone uses my special kernel 4.3.0-5-exton. (Kernel 4.3.3). The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

NEWS 161007 about DebEX Gnome
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 3.22 (latest) and Mate 1.16 (latest). I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX. To be able to enjoy Gnome 3.22 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 1.16. (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 161007. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.8.0-21-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.8.

SCREENSHOTS
The Gnome 3.22 Desktop logged in as the ordinary user live
The Mate 3.16 Desktop logged in as root

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX (Debian 8.6) KDE Live DVD with KDE 4.14.2 and kernel 4.8-rc8

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debex-kde-netflix-161001-smallNEWS 161001 about DebEX KDE (Debian 8.6)
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 160604. It’s a pure Debian 8.6 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 4.8.0-18-exton (4.8-rc8). Kernel 4.8-rc8 is the latest available kernel by 161001. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28. 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 161001. Study the full package list.

Screenshots
Pic 1 and Pic 2

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