Android, exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Build 10 with GAPPS, three new Windows launchers, Bluetooth (working!) and Mesa 10.5.9

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Android-x86 KitKat 4.4.4 Exton Build 180108, version 10, is a ready!
This new version (180108) is basically the same as AndEX KitKat Build 160214. I have now upgraded some apps and added three new (Windows) launchers – Computer Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Win 10 Launcher. To be able to run AndEX Oreo 8.1, which was released 180103, you’ll have to use a fairly new computer. AndEX KitKat runs also on older computers, which is one reason for me to remind you of the existence of AndEX KitKat 4.4.4. I can mention that this KitKat Build 10 works on my (very) old Acer Aspire 5102WLMi AMD with ATI Radeon Xpress 1100. Many 3D games run just fine. So you can use AndEX KitKat Build 180108 to bring an old PC back to useful life! I mean a PC on which you have an old (perhaps outdated) Windows system installed.

Features
I’ve added Mesa (3D Graphics Library) 10.5.9 for better Graphic performance. The system can run live (from CD or a USB stick) on almost all laptops (and some Desktop computers). For example Acer (Aspire), HP, Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo, Thinkpad, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Asus laptops. I can also mention that I could run this version without problems on a HP Pavilion 500-317no Desktop Computer. The Android system is distributed in the form of an ISO file as the rest of my Linux distributions. I.e. you must (as usual) burn the ISO file to a DVD if you want to run the system live on your computer or install it to hard drive. Read about how to burn ISO files. Or skip that. Just use ImgBurn. Nothing can go wrong. Or transfer the ISO file to a USB stick with Rufus and run the system live from the USB stick. You can easily install the system to your hard drive and install new apps. You can also install new apps while running the system live. Google Play Store and Aptoide App Manager are pre-installed so you can just make your choices…

Replacement
This version (version 10) replaces all my previous (9) Android-x86 4.4.4 KitKat builds. In version 10 (as in version 9) I’ve added GAPPS. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Maps, YouTube and more apps. Everything just works.

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc. Read my article About how useful an Android-x86 system can be for the average computer user.

Need to upgrade?
Well, if you have installed any of my previous KitKat versions with GAPPS to your hard drive and the system is working alright you don’t “have to” upgrade. That’s because (as I say above) all included GAPPS will be upgraded automatically (just like your Android phone). Otherwise you can contact me so I can send you the new download link. Then please show your previous receipt.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Choosing launcher
2. Desktop with Computer Launcher
3. Running YouTube
4. Running in VirtualBox
5. Running in VMware
6. First screen – auto turn

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Android, exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

AndEX Oreo 8.1 (Android-x86_64) – Build 180103 – with GAPPS, Aptoide App Manager and Win 10 Launcher

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NEWS 180103 about AndEX Oreo 8.1
My new build of Android x86_64 – andex-x86_64-oreo-8.1-gapps-aptoide-windows-1280mb-180103.iso can be installed to hard drive or on a USB stick. You can also run the system live. I.e. from a DVD or a USB stick. On some computers you’ll have to start up AndEX 8.1 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. NOTE: You can run AndEX Oreo Build 180103 on newer laptops and Desktop computers. The sound and video performance is generally very very good.

WARNING
Google Play Store doesn’t work in AndEX Oreo 8.1 because you can’t sign in to Google. Aptoide App Manager is a good replacement though, since Google Play Services work. I.e. you can install Google apps via Aptoide. If you want to install AndEX Oreo 8.1 to hard drive you’ll have to do it manually. Please read my INSTRUCTION.

Screenshot – AndEX Build 180103 – the Desktop with Win 10 Launcher for Android 8.1 Oreo

MORE NEWS 180103: AndEX – Oreo 8.1 with kernel 4.9.54-exton-android-x86_64 and GAPPS
My new build of Android-x86_64 Oreo 8.1 have GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services, Google Play Store 8.5.39.W-all, Aptoide App Manager 8.6.02, Google Play Games, Gmail and YouTube 12.45.56. Also many other apps. For example: Spotify 8.4.31.723, File Manager 2.2.0.199, Firefox 57.0.1, Google Chrome 63.0.32, Clash of Clans 9.434.4 and Popcorn Time 2.8.0.2.

Android Oreo 8.1 was released 171205.

What’s the point?
Well, if you like your Android phone and all the apps you have installed on it I’m sure you will also like to run apps from your laptop. Bigger screen and better sound etc. Also: In AndEX Oreo Build 180103 almost all apps and games can be installed NOT via Google Play Store, but via Aptoide App Manager. You can even install very big games (of 1GB or so), but unfortunately almost all such games need a touchscreen. Still not convinced? Then read my article about “How useful an Androx-x86 system can be for the average computer user“.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Win 10 Launcher
Screenshot 2 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 Desktop with Microsoft Launcher
Screenshot 3 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Aptoide App Manager running
Screenshot 4 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Boot animation
Screenshot 5 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – Desktop with Win 10 Launcher
Screenshot 6 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – AndEX Oreo running Google Maps
Screenshot 7 – AndEX Oreo 8.1 – AndEX Oreo first screen after boot – choose launcher

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exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

SlackEX Build 171223 (Slackware 14.2) live dvd/usb with KDE 4.14.38, kernel 4.14.8-x86_64-efi-exton, Nvidia 384.98 and VirtualBox 5.2.4

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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/USB, 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 171223 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.12.9-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.14.8-x86_64-efi-exton with support for “everything”. Kernel 4.14.8 was released 171220. KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.38 (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 5.2.4 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 63.0.3239.108 (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 57.0.2, Thunderbird 52.5.0, Samba 4.7.3 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 4.14.38 Desktop with Netflix running
Screenshot 2 – KDE 4.14.38 Desktop with VirtualBox running
Screenshot 3 – Samba running
Screenshot 4 – Nvidia settings and GSlapt running
Screenshot 5 – Hard drive installation of SlackEX in VirtualBox
Screenshot 6 – SMPlayer running

The end of the road…
I will end my SlackEX project now. It’s not needed anymore (if it ever was). Alienbob’s Slackware systems are built with liveslak scripts. Anyone can use the scripts. No special knowledge of Slackware (or Linux) is needed. A lot of different Slackware systems (built with liveslak) can be downloaded. They can all be installed to hard drive using a script called setup2hd. They can also be transferred to a USB stick using a script called iso2usb.sh.

READ MORE about SlackEX….

Android, exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspAnd 7.1.2 Build 171220, which can be used with the official Raspberry Pi 7 inch touchscreen and Big TV Screens

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NEWS about RaspAnd 7.1.2 Build 171220/171215
Thanks to a member on this site who asked for support for the Raspberry Pi official 7 inch touchscreen I started to experiment with different configurations. Success! The changes are so good that I’ve decided to uploaded a new version of RaspAnd today. Note: The display size have changed from 1280×720 to 1920×1080, which means that RaspAnd will look better also when using Big TV screens. Screenshot when a Samsung 55 inch TV is used as monitor. In Build 171220 I’ve also included the app Quick Reboot Pro (so you don’t have to use the power switch).

Build 171220 of RaspAnd can be downloaded by those who have purchased Build 171215 (and previous versions of RaspAnd 7.1.2).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – The Desktop when the Raspberry Pi official 7 inch touchscreen is used (RaspAnd Build 171220)
Screenshot 2 – Running YouTube in the Jelly Browser when the touchscreen is used (RaspAnd Build 171220)
Screenshot 3 – The Desktop when a Samsung 55″ TV is used as monitor (RaspAnd Build 171220)

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Android, exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 for Raspberry Pi 3 – Build 171215 – with Google Play Store, Kodi 17.6, Aptoide TV, Bluetooth and TeamViewer working very well

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NEWS 171215 ABOUT RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 with Google Play Store (and everything else!) working
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 Build 171215 has GAPPS installed and Google Play Store working. Bluetooth works and you can use TeamViewer to control other computers from your Rpi3. RaspAnd can be installed in Windows using Win32 Disk Imager or Etcher. The video performance is generally much better than in previous versions. Your Wifi connection is stable and it will reconnect after every reboot of your Rpi3.

Slideshow – showing RaspAnd’s boot procedure…

MORE ABOUT RaspAnd
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 Build 171215 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 17.6 (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 1.6.3 (working very very well)
4) Google Play Games (needed for Clash of Clans to run)
5) Clash of Clans 9.256.19 – very popular!
6) TeamViewer 1.3.0.7991 – control other computers from your Rpi3!
7) Jelly Browser 7.1.2 – use it to watch YouTube etc.
8) Aptoide TV 3.2.5 (for installing new apps which can’t be found on Google Play Store – many many apps can be installed!)
9) ES File Explorer 4.1.6.7.5 working very well
10) Chess 2.3.6
11) AIDA64 1.47
12) Termux – a very special terminal. (Use the APT package manager!)

Bluetooth and TeamViewer
Bluetooth works in RaspAnd Build 171215. As an alternative you can use the TeamViewer app, which is pre-installed. Screenshot when the TeamViewer app is running on my Rpi3 and controlling my PC.

Clash of Clans and other popular games
Clash of Clans 9.256.19 (a very popular epic strategy game) works very very well. Perfect video quality and audio.

Spotify
Spotify works very well in RaspAnd Nougat. Just log in and play your favorite music!

SCREENSHOTS
Slideshow – showing RaspAnd’s boot procedure
Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop
Screenshot 3 – Google Play Store running
Screenshot 4 – Spotify running
Screenshot 5 – YouTube running in Jelly Browser with perfect video quality
Screenshot 6 – Aptoide TV running
Screenshot 7 – TeamViewer running and controlling my PC
Screenshot 8 – Kodi running
Screenshot 9 – Rpi3 connected to mobile phone by Bluetooth
Screenshot 10 – Developer options
Screenshot 11 – The Desktop when the Raspberry Pi official 7″ touchscreen is used (RaspAnd Build 171220)
Screenshot 12 – Running YouTube in the Jelly Browser when the touchscreen is used (RaspAnd Build 171220)
Screenshot 13 – The Desktop when a Samsung 55″ TV is used as monitor (RaspAnd Build 171220)

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exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 18.0 with Deepin 15.5 Desktop, Refracta snapshot and Calamares 3.1.9 Installer – Build 171208

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NEWS about ExTiX 18.0 Deepin 171208
I’ve released a new version of ExTIX 18.0 Deepin today with Calamares 3.1.9 installed from source. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as of today. Study all installed packages in ExTiX Deepin Build 171208.

Refracta Tools
While running ExTiX Deepin 18.0 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!

About Calamares Installer
Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Calamares aims to be easy, usable, beautiful, pragmatic, inclusive and distribution-agnostic. Calamares includes an advanced partitioning feature, with support for both manual and automated partitioning operations. It is the first installer with an automated “Replace Partition” option, which makes it easy to reuse a partition over and over for distribution testing. Watch a movie when I’ve started to install ExTiX Deepin using Calamares.

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exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX KDE (Debian Buster/Sid) Build 171203 with Plasma 5.37 and Calamares Installer (so you can install DebEX in any language!)

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NEWS 171203 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD. It replaces version 171023. It’s a pure Debian 10 system. (Buster/Sid). I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE Plasma uses KDE 4.16 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:37 as Desktop environment. It uses kernel 4.13.0-16-exton – (4.13.4). I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 384.90. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox 57.0 (for Netflix). 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 171203. Study the full package list. MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE: I have replaced Refracta Installer with Calamares 3.1.9 Installer Framework. Now you can choose language when the installation starts. When it’s ready everything will be in your chosen language! Log in to KDE as the ordinary user user with password live or as root (superuser) with password root.

About Calamares
I’ve installed Calamares in ArchEX (Arch Linux) Build 171129. It works extremely well. So I thought why not install Calamares also in DebEX?  Watch a YouTube video about running Calamares in ArchEX. Calamares works in the same way in DebEX.  What is Calamares?  – Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Calamares aims to be easy, usable, beautiful, pragmatic, inclusive and distribution-agnostic. Calamares includes an advanced partitioning feature, with support for both manual and automated partitioning operations. It is the first installer with an automated “Replace Partition” option, which makes it easy to reuse a partition over and over for distribution testing.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta snapshot (pre-installed in all three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian 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 10 system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. Or change that by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf.

Screenshot of DebEX’s Desktop when Calamares is running
Screenshot of DebEX’s Desktop when Refracta snapshot is running

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exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ArchEX (Arch Linux) with Deepin 15.5, LXQt, kernel 4.13.12-1-ARCH, Firefox 57.0, Yaourt and Calamares installer – Build 171129

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NEWS about ArchEX 171129
A new version of ArchEX is ready! In this new version, which I call ArchEX 2018, I have added the Deepin 15.5 (latest) Desktop environment. Deepin (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. I came to like Deepin very much when I installed it in ExTiX 18.0. So I thought why not install Deepin also in ArchEX?

Study all installed packages in ArchEX 2018 Deepin/LXQt.

Why trust a Chinese Distribution?

NEWS 171129 about Calamares Installer
I’ve finally managed to make Calamares 3.1.8 (The universal installer framework) work without problems/issues. Calamares 3.1.8 totally new. Released November 14, 2017. This version gives you more control over the installation process. Now you can use Calamares to install ArchEX in any language. The boot loader Grub2 (which can be installed during the installation of ArchEX) will also work without problems.

WHAT IS ArchEX?
ArchEX 64 bit is a new (171129) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.13.12-1-ARCH the Deepin 15.5 and the LXQt 0.12 Desktop environments. Deepin 15.5 Desktop (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. About LXQt: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel.

INSTALLED SOFTWARE
Among many other programs, Firefox 57.0 (for Netflix), Gimp, Spotify, GCC, Wicd and GParted – study this package LIST.

WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

Screenshots
ArchEX Deepin Desktop
ArchEX Deepin full Desktop
ArchEX running Calamares
ArchEX LXQt Desktop
ArchEX starting up live
ArchEX starting up from hard drive (VirtualBox)
ArchEX Installer (Calamares) running
When Cinnamon is installed (pacman -S cinnamon)
When Xfce4 is installed (pacman -S xfce4)
When KDE (Plasma) is installed (pacman -S plasma-meta and pacman -S kde-applications-meta)
When Enlightenment is installed (pacman -S enlightenment)
ALL extra desktops can be installed in about 10 min!

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exton, LINUX

Run your Slackware system with the latest available kernel – 4.14.2!

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SlackwareNEWS 171125
Kernel 4.14.2-x86_64-exton is my newest Slackware kernel. Kernel 4.14.2 was released by Kernel.org yesterday. (November 24, 2017).

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 in the same way as Slackware’s latest kernel huge. “My” kernel 4.14.2-x86_64-exton has even more support for new hardware, etc. Kernel 4.14.2 is the latest kernel available from Kernel.org. Released 20171124.

What’s new in kernel 4.14?

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

1. Download linux-kernel-4.14.2-x86_64-exton.txz – md5sum
2. Install it with the command installpkg linux-kernel-4.14.2-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-4.14.2-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!


Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Nougat!

and about my Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Nougat!

exton, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExTiX 18.0, 64bit, with Deepin Desktop 15.5 (made in China!) and Refracta Tools – Create your own ExTiX/Ubuntu/Deepin system in minutes!

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About ExTiX 18.0 with the Deepin 15.5 Desktop
I’ve made a new extra version of ExTiX with Deepin 15.5 Desktop (made in China!). Deepin is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. Only a minimum of packages are installed in ExTiX Deepin. You can of course install all packages you want. Even while running ExTiX Deepin live. I.e. from a DVD or USB stick. Study all installed packages in ExTiX Deepin.

ABOUT ExTiX
All five ExTiX systems are based on Ubuntu and Debian.
Why trust a Chinese Distribution?
The Ultimate Linux System
I’ve called my different versions of ExTiX The Ultimate Linux System for many years by now. As regards ExTiX 18.0 Deepin I feel it’s especially justified. Everything just works.

Refracta Tools
While running ExTiX Deepin 18.0 live or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable ExTiX/Ubuntu/Deepin system.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX Deepin 15.5 Desktop
2. ExTiX Deepin running Refracta snapshot
3. ExTiX Deepin running in VirtualBox – changing Grub packages
4. ExTiX Deepin running the Refracta Installer
5. ExTiX Deepin login screen (LightDM)

Deepin Screen Recorder
In ExTiX Deepin you can record everything you do. Watch this small video.

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About all Exton Linux distributions