Category Archives: Exton Linux distributions

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Live DVD (based on Debian 8.4) with KDE 4.14.2 and kernel 4.6.1-debex

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debex-kde-desktop-160604-smallNEWS 160604 about DebEX KDE
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 160102. It’s a pure Debian 8.4 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 4.6.1-debex. Kernel 4.6.1 is the latest stable kernel by 160604. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 361.45.11. 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 160604. Study the full package list.

Install DebEX to hard drive
It’s now very easy to install DebEX (all three versions) to hard drive. Just start DebEX Installer and follow the installer instructions. You’ll have to use Boot alternative 1 – live then. See this screenshot. You can (if you want) use Grub2 as boot loader. If you already are using Grub2 or Grub Legacy as bootloader you can skip this part of the installation. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the installation process. The installation is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

Screenshot of the KDE Plasma Desktop in version 160604 of DebEX KDE – pic1
Screenshot of the KDE Desktop with Netflix running in version 160604 of DebEX KDE – pic2

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 16.3 LXQt DVD 64 bit – Build 160530 – with LXQt 0.10.0 and kernel 4.6.0-extix

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extix-logo-black-white-bgI have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 16.3 LXQt Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.1).

ABOUT
ExTiX 16.3 LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.4 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.04. 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. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 160530.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.6.0-extix corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.6. It’s the latest stable kernel as of now. Ubuntu 16.04 uses kernel 4.4.

What’s new in kernel 4.6?

NVIDIA
I have pre-installed the Nvidia proprietary Graphics driver 361.45.11 in ExTiX LXQt. 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.

Screenshot of ExTiX 16.3 Desktop – LXQt 0.10.0

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Chromium OS, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Chromium OS – Exton Build 160525 – with YouTube and Spotify working fast and responsive

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chromium-osAbout ChromX
I have compiled Chromium OS from source. Just for fun. Chromium OS is an open-source project that aims to build an operating system that provides a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web. My Chromium OS Build 160525 is for all 64 bit “normal” Desktop computers and laptops. If you have unusual hardware you could check out ArnoldTheBat’s special Chromium OS builds.

How do I run Chromium OS?
Normally you run Chromium OS from a USB stick, but the system can also be installed to hard drive. Could be useful if you want to bring new life to an old computer. Be aware of the fact that Chromium OS can’t be installed together with other Linux systems (or any other OS). It will “take” the whole disk.

The difference between Chromium OS and Google Chrome OS
Chromium OS is the open source project, used primarily by developers, with code that is available for anyone to checkout, modify, and build.
Google Chrome OS is the Google product that OEMs ship on Chromebooks for general consumer use.

Used kernel
4.4.4

Install my Build 160525 to a USB stick of at least 6 GB
A. In Windows you can use Win32DiskImager. It will look like this. (Unzip chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip first).

chromiumos-win32diskimager

B. In Windows you can also use an app (Chromebook Recovery Utility) in Google Chrome. Do it like this.
1. Start by downloading your Chromium OS (chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip) installation file. Do not unzip the file, this may cause issues with the USB creation process.
2. Open the Chrome web browser and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility plug-in from the Google Chrome Web Store. To install it, visit the link and click “Add to Chrome.”
3. After the plug-in has installed, click “Launch” from the Web Store page to open the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
4. In the Recovery Utility, click the gear icon on the upper right-hand side and select “Use Local Image”.
5. Find and select the chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip file that you located in Step 1.
6. When prompted, insert an 8 or 16 GB USB device that you want to turn into a Chromium OS installer. Make sure it has no important files on it, as it will be completely erased. Select your USB drive from the drop-down menu and click “Continue” and then “Create Now.”
7. The process of creating your Chromium OS USB installer will take around 20 minutes. Some Windows installations may display a security prompt, click “allow” to let the process proceed. Note: The progress bar in the Chrome Recovery Utility may go over 100% and show incorrect time estimates. This is not a problem.
8. When the process has completed you will see a green check box – you can now remove your Chromium OS USB installer and use it! You can create as many additional USB installers as you want using the process above.

USB installation in Linux
In Linux you shall open up a terminal and run this command: sudo dd if=chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-3600mb-160525.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M
(You shall of course replace /dev/sdX with for example /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc. Check it carefully before you run the above command).

Notes about USB sticks
 It appears that not all USB sticks are suitable for topical purposes. I.e. they can not be made bootable. I myself have experience of brands Kingston DataTraveler, SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0, SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 and Sony Micro Vault. The first three works (for me). You shall not use USB sticks of older model. They may work, but mostly bad. If you – after the installation of Chromium OS to the USB stick –  get different error messages when you try to run the system from the stick it is often because the stick is not “good enough”.

Install to hard drive
If you want to install the system to your hard drive, follow the instructions here and here. Beware of the warnings noted in the links! When prompted for a password for the chronos user, use “exton” (without the quotes!).

USB persistence
All your system changes will (of course) be automatically saved directly on the USB stick.

Updates/upgrades
You do not have to take any action in order to keep your system up to date. Chromium OS will itself check for updates each time it is launched and automatically install them.

Enable Spotify
Flash has to be installed. Do it like this. Leave the Chromium OS Desktop by pressing the keys Ctrl Alt F2 simultaneously. Log in as user chronos with password exton. Become root with sudo su (password exton). The run the following (magic) command: curl -L http://www.brash.ca/flash.sh | bash
It will look like this – screenshot 1 and this – screenshot 2.

Netflix
Unfortunately you can’t run Netflix in the Chromium Browser. Silverlight/Widevine is impossible to install for many reasons.

Screenshots when Chromium OS is running
Showing installed apps – screenshot 3. As you can see it shows a lot of Android apps installed by me on my Android mobile phone using the same Gmail address as the one I’ve used to log in to Chromium in Chromium OS (ChromX). Even Google Play Store is there. All apps (for example Google Maps) work, but you can’t install new apps using Google Play Store.

Spotify is running – screenshot 4

Chromium OS GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

DOWNLOAD
This build of ChromX has been replaced by Build 170212

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS 64 bit with Mate 1.14.0 and kernel 4.5.3-exton :: Build 160514

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exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 160514 ABOUT Exton|OS with Mate 1.14.0
After the 160512 Build with Mate 1.12.7 I “discovered” that Mate 1.14.0 was released in April 2016. The new 1.14.0 Mate packages are yet not available from the Ubuntu repositories so I had to install them from source. While I was at it I upgraded Vlc from version 2.1.3 to 2.2.3. Vlc is also installed from source to make it possible to run it as root. Study the NEW PACKAGE list.

WHAT’S NEW in MATE 1.14?

The headline changes in MATE 1.14 are:

Improved GTK+3 support across the entire MATE Desktop.
Full GTK 3.20 support in all MATE themes.
Client Side Decorated applications render correctly in all themes.
Touchpad configuration now supports edge and two-finger scrolling independently.
Python extensions in Caja can now be managed separately.
All three window focus modes are selectable.
MATE Panel now has the ability to change icon sizes for menubar and menu items.
MATE NetSpeed Applet has been merged into the MATE Applets package.
MATE Terminal support VTE 2.91 API when built for GTK+3.
Volume and Brightness OSD can now be enabled/disabled.
Translations are updated.

NOTE: Exton|OS Mate is unique. I.e. there is no other Linux live system out with Mate 1.14.0 pre-installed.

See a screenshot of Exton|OS’s Mate 1.14.0 Desktop

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS 64 bit with Mate 1.12.7 and kernel 4.5.3-exton :: Build 160512

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exton-os-logo-worldExton|OS build 160512 is based on Ubuntu 16.04 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 then 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.

NEWS 160512
A new and much better version of Exton|OS is ready. I have replaced kernel 4.2.0-16-exton with kernel 4.5.3-exton. With kernel 4.5 there is no real need to use Nvidia proprietary graphic drivers since this kernel has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel. The Mate Desktop is upgraded to version 1.12.7 have also replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity with Exton|OS Installer, which is a clone of Debian Live Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the hard drive installation process.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.5.3?

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 16.2, Build 160508, with KDE 4.15 together with KDE Frameworks 5.15.0

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extix-logo-black-white-bgI have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 16.2 KDE Live DVD. (The previous version was 15.4).

ABOUT
ExTiX 16.2 KDE DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.4 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.04. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.15.0 with KDE 4.15. 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.

Stable
ExTiX KDE is now more stable than ever. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 160508.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.4.0-19-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.4.6.

What’s new in kernel 4.4?

Screenshot of ExTiX 16.2 Desktop – KDE 4.15
Screenshot of ExTiX 16.2 when ExTiX 16.2 is running in Virtualbox

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0 and Fluxbox

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raspex-kodi-logoNEWS 160426 about RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
In RaspEX Build 160421, based on Ubuntu 16.04, I could not include Kodi (XBMC) Media Center (a free and open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation) without removing LXDE and many other programs. Now I’ve found a solution. I was able to install Kodi 16.0 alongside Fluxbox. A Desktop environment besides Kodi is needed so you can configure your wireless network and other stuff. Study all installed packages in Build 160426.
See a screenshot when my wireless network is configured
See a screenshot when Kodi is running

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

Compatibility
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 had to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd and RaspArch. I have now (160426) upgraded all systems. RaspEX Build 160426, 160421 and 160402 runs very well on Raspberry Pi 3. You can (of course) also run the new RaspEX systems on a “old” Raspberry Pi 2.

NEWS 160426 ABOUT RaspEX
RaspEX Build 160426 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8), Ubuntu (Ubuntu 16.04, released 160421) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160426) I’ve replaced LXDE Desktop environment with Fluxbox, Wicd Network Manager with Wifi-Radar and Firefox with Qupzilla. The replacements were necessary to make it possible to install Kodi Media Center 16.0.  NOTE: Kodi (XBMC) Media Center is also installed in Build 160402 based on Ubuntu 15.10.

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX Build 160426 with Fluxbox

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Video add-ons

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Picture add-ons

Screenshot 4 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi – System Info

Screenshot 5 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Music add-ons

More about RaspEX Build 160426
RaspEX Build 160426 uses Fluxbox as Desktop environment. (Fluxbox is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience). Furthermore Kodi (XBMC) Media Center (a free and open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation). Many other useful programs are pre-installed. Quzilla is used as Web Browser and Wifi-Radar as Network Manager. You can use Apt-get to install any extra packages you may need. RaspEX uses Ubuntu’s software repositories so you can install thousands of extra packages if you want. Please be aware of that some new installations (for example of Firefox) will break the Kodi installation).

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX Build 160421: Now based on Ubuntu 16.04, released today (160421)

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raspberry-logoNEWS 160421 about RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus was released today. I therefore (of course) simply had to upgrade RaspEX. Unfortunately I could not get Kodi (XBMC) Media Center to work in this build. I have therefore kept the “old” version (from 160402) of RaspEX with Kodi on the servers. Study all installed packages in Build 160421.

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

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

NEWS 160421 ABOUT RaspEX
My previous version of RaspEX is from 160402. I have now upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel and added support for Bluetooth. RaspEX Build 160421/160402 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8), Ubuntu (Ubuntu 16.04/15.10, released 160421/151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In the new versions (160421 and 160402) 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 and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. NOTE: Kodi (XBMC) Media Center is installed only in Build 160402.

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

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160421

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

LFA Build 160419, 64 bit, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Fluxbox as Window Manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop Interface

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linux-logo-exton-lfaAbout Linux For All (LFA)
The system is based on Ubuntu 16.04, codenamed Xenial Xerus and Debian Jessie (Debian 8.4). It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system.

The system language is ENGLISH.

NEWS 160419
A new upgraded version of LFA is out. All installed packages have been updated to the latest version as of 160419.

News about LFA build 160419
One of my previous versions of LFA (build 141120) had four (4) Desktop environments installed. Namely Unity (Ubuntu), LXDE, Razor-qt and XBMC. LFA build 160419 uses only Fluxbox as Window Manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop Interface. Cairo-Dock is designed to be light, fast and customizable, and is desktop-agnostic. It has a powerful DBus interface, to be controlled from a terminal or another application. Features can be added by plug-ins or applets, and applets can be written in C or in any language. About Fluxbox: Fluxbox is a Window Manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code. It is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience. So who needs KDE or Gnome?

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.4.0-19-exton.

What’s new in kernel 4.4?

Screenshot of LFA’s new Desktop
Screenshot – Ubiquity running

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

CruxEX (CRUX 3.2) live CD/USB with kernel 4.5.1-cruxex and Nvidia Graphics driver 361.42 pre-installed

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logo-linux-exton-netI have made yet another version of CruxEX.

CruxEX 3.2 64 bit Linux Live CD/USB is based on CRUX 3.2 (latest version, released 151123), which is all Linux enthusiasts/nerds favorite OS. (CRUX 3.2 is a lightweight Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at experienced Linux users). CruxEX 3.2 2016 uses the LXDE Desktop environment. I have replaced the original CRUX kernel with “my” special kernel 4.5.1-cruxex, with support for “extra everything”.

Kernel etc
Kernel 4.5.1 is the latest available stable kernel as of 160414. Among all installed and updated applications are Firefox, GParted, Gimp and Wicd. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source.

NEWS 160414
CruxEX 2016 is distributed both as an ISO file and a Zip file. Install my new version of CruxEX 3.2 64bit from 160414 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. Or burn the ISO file to a CD and run CruxEX live the “normal” way. Mainly the ISO file is for all of you who like to run and test Linux systems in VirtualBox (before installing the systems to hard drive).

See a screenshot of the LXDE Desktop

Prt-get in action

CruxEX running in Windows 10 in VirtualBox (after installation)

Study ALL installed packages

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