Exton|OS Build 161231 with Mate 1.6.0, Refracta Tools (build your own live Ubuntu system) and kernel 4.9.0-11-exton

December 31, 2016 exton 1 Comment

NEWS 161231 ABOUT Exton|OS with Mate 1.16.0 and Refracta Tools
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.16 (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Program content in build 161231: Refracta Tools, Firefox, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Gimp, 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 December 31, 2016. Study the NEW PACKAGE list.

WHAT’S NEW in MATE 1.16?

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Mate Build 161231. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 16.10 Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS 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 Exton|OS from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. The whole thing is very simple. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

Exton|OS build 161231 is based on Ubuntu 16.10 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid (upcoming Debian 9). Exton|OS’s ISO file is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run Exton|OS from a USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my INSTRUCTION . For persistence please read under B) or use UNetbootin in Windows or Linux.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop
Screenshot 2 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Spotify
Screenshot 3 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Refracta Snapshot

Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 170425 with Refracta Tools

December 23, 2016 exton 55 Comments

NEWS 170425 about Raspberry Pi Debian Pixel
I have updated my first Debian Pixel Build from 161223. Study all included packages – latest by 170425. I’ve added NetworkManager, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections.

NEWS 161223
Yesterday I read that the Raspberry Pi Foundation has 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. Study all included packages. 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 Debian system with the the PIXEL Desktop using Refracta snapshot (pre-installed).

KERNEL
Kernel 3.16.0-4-686-pae is used. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB.

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).

Spotify
You may want to install Spotify. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. When running my PIXEL image live or from hard drive you can just install Spotify with the command sudo apt-get install spotify-client. Watch a screenshot when Spotify is running.

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 5 – 10 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 “Expert 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. It’s for LFA (Linux for all), but it works in the same way in Debian PIXEL.

<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20161115_0025887487081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Spotify running
Screenshot 2 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 3 – Refracta Snapshot has started
Screenshot 4 – Refracta Installer has started in VMware
Screenshot 5 – Wireless connection with NetworkManager (installed in Build 170425)
Wifi connection using NetworkManager – in detail
Wifi connection established

DOWNLOAD
This build has been replaced by Build 180315.

Other Exton Linux Systems you may like
All Exton Linux Systems
Exton Systems for the Raspberry Pi computer
Exton Android Systems for PC’s

LINUX

Run your Slackware installation with the latest kernel – 4.9!

December 23, 2016 exton Leave a comment

NEWS 161223
Kernel 4.9-x86_64-exton is my newest Slackware kernel. The stable kernel 4.9 was released by Kernel.org on December 11, 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 4.9-x86_64-exton has even more support for new hardware, etc. Kernel 4.9 is the latest kernel available from Kernel.org. Released 20161211.

What’s new in kernel 4.9?

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

1. Download linux-kernel-4.9-x86_64-exton.txz – md5sum
2. Install it with the command installpkg linux-kernel-4.9-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-4.9-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 Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 17.0, Build 161221, with KDE 4.16 together with KDE Frameworks 5.26.0, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.9 (latest)

December 21, 2016 exton 4 Comments

I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 17.0 KDE Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.4 from 160731). The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.

ABOUT
ExTiX 17.0 KDE DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.6 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.10. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.26.0 with KDE 4.16. 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.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.9.0-11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.9 – latest as of 161221. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip with the command unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.9?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 17.0 Build 161221 with the KDE Desktop environment and Refracta Tools
1. ExTiX KDE is based on Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak. KDE 4.16 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 161221. Kernel 4.9.0-11-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s latest kernel 4.9).
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. The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.

Screenshot 1 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – KDE 4.16 – Netflix running
Screenshot 2 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Synaptic running
Screenshot 3 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Samba running

READ MORE…

LINUX

Run your Ubuntu/Debian 64 bit system with the latest stable kernel – 4.9!

December 17, 2016 exton 2 Comments

I have compiled yet another Ubuntu/Debian kernel for 64 bit systems. This time kernel 4.9.0-11-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.9 released 161211.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.9?

Install kernel 4.9.0-11-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 8.6) and Debian Stretch (upcoming Debian 9). If you want to use my kernel 4.9.0-11-exton for 64 bit systems, you can DOWNLOAD it from here.

md5sum for ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip which is of 71,5 MB.

Installation instructions
Open the zip-file with WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip. Or run this command: unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip. Go into the folder ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-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 4.9.0-11-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 4.8 – 4.9 without “patches” etc. On the other hand it’s a fact that kernel 4.9 has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

A small clarification
“My” kernel 4.9.0-11-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!

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX LXQt (Debian Stretch) with LXQt 0.11, Refracta tools and kernel 4.9.0-9-exton (4.9.0-rc8)

December 9, 2016 exton 1 Comment

NEWS 161209 about DebEX LXQt – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with LXQt 0.11 (released 160924) and kernel 4.9.0-9-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest kernel 4.9-rc8) is ready. You can download “my” new kernel if you want to use it in another Debian/Ubuntu system. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 375.20 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of December 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.

What’s new in kernel 4.9?

Replacement
This version of DebEX with LXQt replaces version 161025, which used Xfce 4.12.1 as Desktop environment. Note: LXQt version 0.11 can’t be installed in Ubuntu 16.10 just yet.

About LXQt
Historically, LXQt is the product of the merge between LXDE-Qt, an initial Qt flavour of LXDE, and Razor-qt, a project aiming to develop a Qt based desktop environment with similar objectives as the current LXQt. The Razor project has merged with LXDE and is now LXQt.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in DebEX LXQt) to create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD once you have installed DebEX LXQt 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! You’ll find your new ISO in /home/snapshots.

Screenshot 1 – DebEX LXQt – root’s Desktop
Screenshot 2 – DebEX LXQt – live’s Desktop

RaspArch Build 161205 :: Run Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 computer

December 5, 2016 exton 1 Comment

This version (161205) is my fourth build of RaspArch
The first version is from 150414. The second is from 151107. The third is from 160312 specially made for the new Raspberry Pi 3. This version (161205) and version 160312 of RaspArch can of course also run on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2. RaspArch is a “remaster” of Arch Linux ARM. The original compressed system is of 231 MB. After I have added the LXDE Desktop environment, PulseAudio, Firefox, Yaourt and Gimp the system increased to 700 MB. RaspArch is a “ready-to-go” ARM system. It must be installed on a Raspberry Pi 3 model B or Pi 2 computer.

NEWS in RaspArch Build 161205
A new kernel – 4.4.35-1-ARCH. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 161205. I have added support for Yaourt – a Pacman Fronted. I have also installed PulseAudio. Finally the sound works alright in RaspArch. Nice if you like YouTube. Note: To be able to install Yaourt I had to install a lot of development tools. In the first place I installed Yaourt to be able to install Google Chrome (only to learn that Google Chrome isn’t available for the ARM architecture).

More about RaspArch
When you have installed RaspArch to your Micro SD Card you can use the system like any other Arch Linux system. I.e. install new programs etc. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). RaspArch uses kernel 4.4.35-1-ARCH and the LXDE Desktop environment.

BENEFITS of Arch Linux/RaspArch
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. A member on this site recently wrote this about RaspArch: I’ve used Slackware, Debian, Gentoo, Ubuntu & Arch. I prefer Arch. Ubuntu is easier to install, Arch is easier to keep up to date. You do not go through big, painful, changes every year instead you just update, once in a while, make changes if instructed. Arch has most of the benefits of Gentoo without the pain of recompiling _everything_. When you do need to build a package in Arch its painless especially if you use one of the tools that support Aur (I like yaourt). Arch avoids the politics of Debian and Ubuntu and delivers a great Linux distribution. RaspArch now brings these advantages to the PI 2.

Study all installed packages in RaspArch

Screenshot of RaspArch’s Desktop – YouTube and PulseAudio Control running
Screenshot of RaspArch’s Desktop – YouTube and Alsamixer running