Category Archives: Exton Linux distributions

Exton|OS Light Build 170918 :: Based on upcoming Ubuntu 17.10 with Refracta tools and kernel 4.13.0-11-exton (4.13.1)

exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 170918 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – now with Refracta tools!
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 17.10 (alias Artful Aardvark) 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), Gimp, 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.

Replacement
This version of Exton|OS Light from 170918 replaces version 161021 of Exton|OS Light. Exton|OS Light is now based on Debian Stretch/Sid and Ubuntu 17.10 (to be released in October, 2017).

About
Exton|OS Light Live CD is based on Ubuntu 17.10 Artful Aardvark 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid. Exton|OS Light’s ISO file (of 1240 MB) is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to an USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my USB INSTRUCTION under B).

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at September 18, 2017. Study the full package list.

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Light Build 170918 (as well as in Exton|OS Mate Build 170609). Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 17.10 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 Light 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 10 – 15 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. (Or change that in /etc/refractasnapshot.conf). 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.

THE IMPORTANCE of Exton|OS Light now being based on Ubuntu 17.10 (UNSTABLE/DEVELOPMENT)
I don’t think it is too important since Exton|OS doesn’t use complicated Desktop Environments like KDE, Gnome or Unity. Programs wont crash or anything like that. And I haven’t discovered any bugs to report.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light running in VMware
2. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
3. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
4. Screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running
5. Screenshot when Spotify is running – (install Spotify with: sudo apt-get install spotify-client)

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Other Exton Linux Live CD/DVD’s in English you may like to download…

EXTON Linux

Exton|Defender Super Rescue System (SRS) – Build 170909 – based on Fedora 26 with Cinnamon 3.4.6 and kernel 4.12.9

Description
Exton|Defender SRS is a Linux system available as a Live DVD (based on Fedora 26, 64bit – version 170909) for administrating or repairing your system and data after a crash. Exton|Defender aims to provide an easy way to carry out admin tasks on your computer, such as creating and editing the hard disk partitions. It comes with a lot of Linux software such as system tools and basic tools (editors, Midnight Commander, network tools). Exton|Defender can, however, also be used as a normal Linux Desktop System. It requires no hard drive installation, but can easily be installed to hard drive if you want. Desktop environment: Cinnamon 3.4.6.

System Tools included
NTFS-3g, GParted, PartImage, Shred, Sfdisk (util-linux-ng), Rsync, Ddrescue, FSArchiver, TestDisk and Midnight Commander. Other programs (among many others): LibreOffice (in fc26), NetworkManager, Firefox, Thunderbird, Samba, Java (JDK 1.8.0) and Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Emacs, Safecopy, kernel headers and many compilation tools. See a complete LIST of all installed packages 170909. (Fedora version 170909).

NEWS 170909 re. Exton|Defender fc26 (Fedora 26)
I’ve made a new version of Exton|Defender 64 bit. Now based on Fedora 26, released 161122. It uses Cinnamon 3.4.6 and kernel 4.12.9.

About Fedora
Please read this overview.

Feedback
Fedora 26 is at least as “good” as Ubuntu 17.04/Linux Mint 18.2 and/or OpenSUSE 42.2. (In my opinion). Tell me what you think of Exton|Defender SRS in combination with the Cinnamon Desktop. Did you find the included Rescue System Tools useful?

SCREENSHOTS
1. Exton|Defender´s Cinnamon 3.4.6 Desktop
2.  Anaconda is running (the install program)
3.  Google Chrome with Netflix running
4. Exton|Defender running in VMware
5. Exton|Defender using Samba

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CruxEX (CRUX 3.3), Build 170904, with LXDE, Google Chrome 60.0.3112, Firefox 55.0.3 and Nvidia 384.69

CruxEX 3.3 64 bit Linux Live USB is based on CRUX 3.3 (latest version, released 170212), 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 3.3 2017 uses the LXDE Desktop environment. I have replaced the original CRUX kernel with “my” special kernel 4.12.10-x86_64-cruxex, with support for “extra everything”.

Kernel etc
Kernel 4.12.10 is one of the latest available stable kernels as of 170904. Among all installed and updated applications are Firefox 55.0.3, Google Chrome 60.0.3112 (for Netflix), GParted, PCManFM, Gimp and Wicd. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source. Note: Firefox 55.0.3 and  Google Chrome 60.0.3112 are not in the CRUX repositories.

NEWS 170904
CruxEX 2017 is distributed only as a Zip file. Install my new version of CruxEX 3.3 64bit from 170904 to a USB Pen Drive and save your system changes – 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.

Unique
CruxEX 3.3 2017 build 170904 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.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The  new CruxEX LXDE Desktop
2. Netflix running in Google Chrome
3. See Prt-get in action

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SlackEX Build 170831 (Slackware 14.2) live dvd with KDE 4.14.35, kernel 4.12.9-x86_64-exton, Google Chrome 60.0.3112 and VirtualBox 5.1.26

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, 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 170831 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.10.2-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.12.9-x86_64-exton with support for “everything”. Most important is that I have changed repositories from Slackware 14.1 to Current. I.e. Slackware 14.2. KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.35 (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 5.1.26 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 60.0.3112 (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 55.0.3, Thunderbird 52.3.0, Samba 4.6.7 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 4.14.35 Desktop with Netflix running
Screenshot 2 – KDE 4.14.35 Desktop with VirtualBox running
Screenshot 3 – Samba running
Screenshot 4 – Nvidia configuration
Screenshot 5 – Hard drive installation of SlackEX in VirtualBox

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LFA (Linux For All) 64bit Build 170827 with Wine (for HBO Movies/Nordic), Google Chrome (for Netflix) and Refracta tools

About Linux For All (LFA) Build 170827
The system is based on Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS and Debian Jessie. It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system.

NEWS ABOUT LFA Build 170827
1. This is a very BIG system (2430MB). All packages the ordinary Linux user can wish for are pre-installed. Study the full packages list.
2. Kernel 4.12.0-12-exton (corresponding Kernel.org’s second latest stable kernel 4.12.8) is used. You can download “my” kernel and install it in another Ubuntu/Debian system (if you want).
3. I have installed Nvidia’s latest proprietary graphics driver 384.69.
4. The Desktop environment is LXDEDesigned to be user friendly and slim, while keeping the resource usage low.
5. The main Web Browser is Google Chrome. So you can watch Netflix!
6. I have installed Wine just to be able to install Firefox for Windows (which I have done). The Windows version is needed if you want to watch HBO Movies/HBO Nordic. The Pepper Flash plugin just doesn’t work anymore in Ubuntu. With Wine installed you can install many other Windows programs using PlayOnLinux. (Also pre-installed by me).
7. I have included Refracta tools (Refracta Snapshot) to make it possible for you to create your own installable Ubuntu (16.04.3/16.10/17.04/17.10) Live DVD once you have installed LFA to hard drive. This is done in the easiest possible way!

SCREENSHOTS
1. LFA Build 170827 running Firefox for Windows and HBO Movies
2. LFA Build 170827 running Wicd Preferences and sudo iwconfig
3. LFA Build 170827 running PlayOnLinux for installing Windows programs
4. LFA Build 170827 running Rufus and Wine
5. LFA Build 170827 running Samba to reach Windows computers
6. LFA Build 170827 running Google Chrome and Netflix

READ MORE…

 

DebEX Barebone Build 170822 with LXDE: Create you own Debian 9 “Stretch” system in the easiest possible way!

About 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). DebEX Barebone and DebEX Gnome are based on Debian 9 (Stretch) and Debian unstable (Sid). LXDE 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 LXDE uses my special kernel 4.12.0-12-exton. (Kernel 4.12.8 – latest stable kernel). 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). The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

NEWS 170822 about DebEX LXDE – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with LXDE and kernel 4.12.0-12-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.12.8) is ready. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of August 22, 2017. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian 9 Stretch and Debian unstable – Sid. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox 55.0.2 (for Netflix).

What’s new in kernel 4.12?

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

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Boot menu in DebEX LXDE created with the Refracta tools
2. The LXDE Desktop in DebEX Barebone LXDE
3.  Netflix is running in Firefox
4. DebEX is running in VirtualBox
5. DebEX is running in VMware

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How to watch Netflix in RaspEX Build 170810 based on Ubuntu 17.04

After my latest build of RaspEX (from 170810) was ready and released I stumbled over an article about How to watch Netflix on the Raspberry PiIf you use Raspbian or Raspberry Pi systems based on Raspbian you can just follow the instructions in said article to be able to watch Netflix. If you use (or want to use) RaspEX Build 170810 you’ll have to install two extra packages before you can install a special version of the Chromium Browser.

GO ON AND READ my instruction for RaspEX…

RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3/2 – Build 170810 – based on Ubuntu 17.04 with LXDE and kernel 4.9.41-exton-v7+

NEWS 170810 about RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
I have upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel 4.4.49 with “my own” compiled kernel 4.9.41-exton-v7+. RaspEX Build 170810 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian 9, Ubuntu 17.04 and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (170810) 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 170810.

Compatibility :: August 2017

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, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Lollipop, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.1, RaspAnd 7.1.2 and RaspArch. I have now (170810) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3

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 Blueman (Bluetooth Manager)

Kernel
Kernel 4.9.41-exton-v7 is used.

How do I install RaspEX in Windows?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-ubuntu-17.04-lxde-1190mb-170810.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-ubuntu-17.04-lxde-3050mb-170810.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Win32DiskImager in Windows.

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)

Screenshot 7 – RaspEX running the Bluetooth Manager

Screenshot 8 – The Desktop 170810

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RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 for Raspberry Pi 3 – Build 170805 – with Google Play Store, Aptoide TV, Kodi 17.3 and Google Chrome

NEWS 170805 ABOUT RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 with Google Play Store working
I have finally managed to make a version of RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 (for Raspberry Pi 3), which has GAPPS installed and Google Play Store working. This version of RaspAnd can be installed in Windows using Win32 Disk Imager. The video performance is generally much better than in previous versions and the screen flickering is (almost) gone.

Download RaspAnd Build 170805…

MORE ABOUT RaspAnd
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 Build 170805 is an Android 7.1.2 Nougat system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3. I have included the following apps:
1) GAPPS (Google Play Services with Google Play Store)
2) Kodi 17.3 (latest version which “allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the Internet”. YouTube is enabled and working very well!)
3) Spotify TV 1.4.0 (working very very well)
4) Google Play Games 5.2.25 (needed for Clash of Clans to run)
5) Clash of Clans is not included, but you can install it through Aptoide TV
6) Gmail 7.4.23
8) Aptoide TV 3.2.3 (for installing new apps which can’t be found on Google Play Store – many many apps can be installed!)
9) ES File Explorer 4.1.6.7.4 working very well
10) Google Chrome 59.0.3071 (latest version – working very well)
11) YouTube 1.3.11 with almost perfect video quality. Please don’t update YouTube to version 2.00.18 even though Google Play Store wants you to do it. If you do you will loose video quality. If you do it by accident just uninstall the update. (I.e. go back to the “Factory version”).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Nougat boot animation (which you must see during the boot. If not, the installation was unsuccessful)
Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop
Screenshot 3 – Google Play Store running
Screenshot 4 – Kodi running Popcornflix
Screenshot 5 – Google Play Store running
Screenshot 6 – YouTube running
Screenshot 7 – YouTube running with perfect video quality
Screenshot 8 – Aptoide TV running (installing Google Drive)
Screenshot 9Spotify running
Screenshot 10 – Clash of Clans installs in Aptoide TV

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ExTiX 17.7 with Budgie Desktop, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.11.0.10-exton

About ExTiX 17.7 with the Budgie Desktop
I’ve made a new extra version of ExTiX with Budgie Desktop. Budgie is focused on simplicity and elegance. Designed with the modern user in mind. Only a minimum of packages are installed in ExTiX Budgie. You can of course install all packages you want. Even while running ExTiX Budgie live. I.e. from a DVD or USB stick. Study all installed packages in ExTiX Budgie.

ABOUT ExTiX
All four ExTiX systems are based on Ubuntu and Debian.

Refracta Tools
While running ExTiX Budgie 17.7 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! Watch a slideshow below.

SCREENSHOTS
ExTiX Budgie Desktop with Spotify running
ExTiX Budgie Desktop – live
ExTiX Budgie Desktop – root
ExTiX Budgie running in VMware

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