RASPBERRY Pi 5
RaspAnd 14 is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 5 released on October 23, 2023 (4GB and 8GB). You can’t run RaspAnd 14 on another Raspberry Pi model than Pi 5. NOTE: A Raspberry Pi 5 is about twice as fast as the Raspberry Pi 4.
New sources 240614 This new version of ExLight is based on Debian Sid / Trixie (unstable/testing). Build 240614 is a total rebuild of ExLight. The ISO file size is of only 2140 MB, which means that you’ll need about 3GB RAM to run ExLight even faster from RAM. I.e. load to RAM – screenshot. You can remove the DVD or USB stick when ExLight has booted.
KERNEL ExLight Build 240614 uses kernel 6.9.3-amd64-exton built from Debian kernel sources with Debian patches.
Installed packages Study all installed packages in ExLight Build 240614.
WHAT’S NEW IN ExLight BUILD 240614? NOTE: Version 240614 replaces version 231005.
1. ExLight is now based on Debian Sid / Trixie (unstable/testing).
2. I have upgraded the Desktop environment Enlightenment (“Beauty at your fingertips”) to version 0.25.4, which is the stable version of Enlightenment. There is a newer version (0.26.0-4) of Enlightenment, but it doesn’t work (yet). I have therefore “blocked” upgrades of Enlightenment with sudo apt-mark hold enlightenment. You can “unblock” Enlightenment with the command sudo apt-mark unhold enlightenment. Could possibly work to upgrade Enlightenment after a month or so.
3. I have replaced kernel 6.5.3-amd64-exton with kernel 6.9.3-amd64-exton. 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 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or the USB stick. You will need at least 3 GB RAM to run ExLight that way.
6. This version of ExLight uses the Calamares Installer. Very simple to use! A new user (your user) will be created during the installation process. You can also install ExLight in your preferred language. You can as an alternative use Refracta Installer.
7. MOST IMPORTANT: I’ve added Refracta Snapshot, which make it possible for you to create your own live installable Debian Sid/Trixie system. I mean change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and wait 10 – 20 min until your new ISO is ready!
THE REAL McCoy ExLight is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian Sid. So is ExLight.
NEWS 240607 ABOUT ExTiX with Deepin 23 RC (released 240515)
I’ve released a new version of ExTiX Deepin today (240607). The previous ExTiX Deepin version with Deepin 23 BETA 3 is from 240209. This ExTiX Build is based on Deepin 23 RC (latest version) released by Deepin Technology on May 15, 2024. Please read the Release Notes. As you can see the developers urge people to try Deepin RC in a non-production environment! I must say, though, that I haven’t discovered any “bugs”. And the installed programs won’t “crash” or anything like that. On the contrary ExTiX Deepin 24.6 with the Deepin DE 23 RC works pretty well I would say. ExTiX 24.6 uses kernel 6.9.3-amd64-exton. ExTiX 24.6 works in the same way as all other ExTiX versions. I.e. you can install it to hard drive while running the system live. Use Refracta Installer or Deepin Installer for that. You can also create your own live installable Deepin 23 system with Refracta Snapshot. (Using ExTiX 24.6 as a “base system/template”). So easy that a ten year old child can do it!
NEW FUNCTIONS etc. in ExTiX 24.6 Deepin 1. VirtualBox Guest Additions are NOT pre-installed. No real need for them since you can run ExTiX in full screen in VirtualBox by just changing the screen resolution. Watch these screenshots:
A) extix-24.6-vbox-display1.jpg
B) extix-24.6-vbox-display2.jpg 2. You can run ExTiX from RAM. Use boot alternative 2 (load to RAM) or Advanced. A wonderful way to run Linux if you have enough RAM. Everything will be super fast. When ExTiX has booted up you can remove the DVD or USB stick. 3. You can use Deepin Installer as an alternative to Refracta Installer. Use Deepin Installer preferable on UEFI computers if you want/need to install or reinstall Grub. 4. I have installed Google Chrome 125.0.6422.141-1 as a replacement for Deepin’s Browser, which suddenly can be in Chinese(!?). 5. I’ve added Synaptic Package Manager. A must I think. Watch a screenshot when Synaptic is running. 6. You can watch Netflix while running Google Chrome. 7. You can install ExTiX Deepin also in VirtualBox/VMware using Refracta Installer or Deepin Installer. Use Deepin Installer preferably on UEFI computers if you need to install or reinstall Grub. Before doing that you should read my instruction How-to dual-boot, triple-boot or multi-boot Linux with Windows in a simple way and be happy… NOTE1: If you already have at least one Linux system installed on your computer and use Grub as boot loader you don’t have to reinstall Grub. Just add start lines for ExTiX in /boot/grub.grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom.
NOTE2: ExTiX 24.6 Deepin runs much better live from a USB stick or from hard drive after a hard drive installation. I mean compared to running ExTiX Deepin virtually in VirtualBox or VMware. 8. In version 240607 I’ve also included Refracta Installer. Use it in VirtualBox if you want to have an EXACT copy of ExTiX Deepin installed. You don’t have to “chroot” to install Grub. Just choose to “Copy Grub files” when asked to. Watch this movie..
Upgrade Deepin 23 RC to the stable 23 version of Deepin
Future upgrades are very easy to perform. Just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt upgrade.