Tag Archives: DebEX

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Xfce4 Build 161025 – Create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

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debex-refracta-start2-smallNEWS 161025 about DebEX Xfce4 – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8) is ready. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. Read about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 25, 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. Announcement about Xfce 4.12, released 150228: Today, after 2 years and 10 months of work, we are pleased to announce the release of the Xfce desktop 4.12, a new stable version that supersedes Xfce 4.10. This long period can only be explained by how awesome Xfce 4.10 was. But as all things, it needed some refreshing – and for that we saw lots of new contributors providing valuable feedback, features and bugfixes. As always, Xfce follows its steady pace of evolution without revolution that seems to match our users’ needs.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in DebEX Xfce4) to create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD once you have installed DebEX Xfce4 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! I have also pre-installed VirtualBox in DebEX Xfce4 so you can test run your own created new Debian Stretch ISO.

New installed packages
I have added VirtualBox, Midori Private Browser, SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos) and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. Study all installed packages.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of the Boot menu in DebEX Xfce4 created with the Refracta tools
Screenshot of the Xfce4 Desktop in DebEX Barebone Xfce4 Build 161025

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Barebone (Debian) Live DVD with Xfce 4.12.1, kernel 4.8 and Tor Browser – Build 161009

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debex-live-tor-browser-smallAbout 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 8.6). DebEX Barebone and DebEX Gnome are based on Debian testing (Stretch) and Debian unstable (Sid). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) 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 Xfce4 and DebEX Gnome use 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 161009 about DebEX Xfce4
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8) is ready. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. Read more about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 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. The size of the ISO file has therefore increased from 1460 MB to 1620 MB. Announcement about Xfce 4.12, released 150228: Today, after 2 years and 10 months of work, we are pleased to announce the release of the Xfce desktop 4.12, a new stable version that supersedes Xfce 4.10. This long period can only be explained by how awesome Xfce 4.10 was. But as all things, it needed some refreshing – and for that we saw lots of new contributors providing valuable feedback, features and bugfixes. As always, Xfce follows its steady pace of evolution without revolution that seems to match our users’ needs.

Runs from RAM
All three DebEX systems can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run DebEX from RAM. I.e. superfast! It’s absolutely the best way to enjoy a Linux live system. Especially if it is a “big” system and you have lots of RAM. (DebEX Barebone, Gnome and KDE ISO files are of 1620 MB, 1830 MB respectively 1510 MB).

SCREENSHOTS
Tor Browser running when I’m logged in as the ordinary user live. (You can’t run Tor Browser as root).
Using Samba to connect to my Windows computers

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX Gnome Live DVD with Gnome 3.22 (latest), Mate 1.16 (latest) and kernel 4.8 (latest)

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debex-gnome-live-desktop-smallAbout 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 8.6). DebEX Barebone and DebEX Gnome are based on Debian testing (Stretch) and Debian unstable (Sid). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) 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 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). DebEX Barebone uses my special kernel 4.3.0-5-exton. (Kernel 4.3.3). The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

NEWS 161007 about DebEX Gnome
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live DVD. It’s a pure Debian system using the testing (stretch) and unstable (sid) repositories. Two Desktop Environments are pre-installed. Gnome 3.22 (latest) and Mate 1.16 (latest). I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX. To be able to enjoy Gnome 3.22 while running DebEX live (from DVD or a USB stick) you’ll need to have a new Nvidia graphics card installed. You can see which cards are supported here. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for Mate 1.16. (Not a bad choice btw). Furthermore I have installed Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version as of 161007. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.8.0-21-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.8.

SCREENSHOTS
The Gnome 3.22 Desktop logged in as the ordinary user live
The Mate 3.16 Desktop logged in as root

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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

DebEX Build 160105 with Gnome 3.18.3 and Mate 1.12.1

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debex-gnome-desktop-synaptic-160105-smallNEWS 160105 about DebEX
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live DVD. It’s a pure Debian system using the testing (stretch) and unstable (sid) repositories. Two Desktop Environments are pre-installed. Gnome 3.18.3 – latest version – (Gothenburg) and Mate 1.12.1 (latest version). About Gnome 3.18: This release brings significant improvements to many of our core applications, from better Google Drive integration in Files to a list view in Boxes to firmware updates in Software, and several entirely new applications. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.63 in this new version of DebEX. To be able to enjoy Gnome 3.18.3 while running DebEX live (from DVD or a USB stick) you’ll need to have a new Nvidia Graphics card installed. You can see which cards are supported here. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for Mate 1.12.1. (Not a bad choice btw). Furthermore I have installed Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version as of 160105. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.3.0-5-exton.

Runs from RAM
DebEX Gnome can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run DebEX from RAM. I.e. superfast! It’s absolutely the best way to enjoy a Linux live system. Especially if it is a “big” system and you have lots of RAM. (DebEX Gnome’s and KDE’s ISO files are of 1720 MB respectively 1490 MB).

KERNEL
DebEX Gnome uses kernel 4.3.0-5-exton equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.3.3. (Latest as of 160105).

About Nvidia’s proprietary Graphics driver 352.63 
 The Nvidia driver has support for the following GPUs (among others): GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Note: I DebEX Gnome version 160105 your Nvidia card will be automatically used (if it is supported). You can then log in to Gnome 3.18.3 from LightDM login page as root with password root. If your card isn’t supported you will get the dreaded error message saying Oh no! Something has gone wrong. Then log out and change Desktop Environment to Mate 1.12.1 before you go on and log in again. You simply can’t log in to Gnome. Perhaps you can fix it yourself after a hard drive installation of DebEX Gnome!?

The importance of the fact that DebEX Gnome is based on Debian testing and Debian unstable
I don’t think it matters too much. I.e. programs won’t crash or anything like that. I haven’t discovered any errors. Maybe you will if you do a full test of the system. Please let me know in that case.

Screenshot of the Gnome Desktop in version 160105 of DebEX Gnome

Screenshot of the Mate Desktop in version 160105 of DebEX Gnome

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX KDE with kernel 4.3.3 (latest) and KDE 4.14.2 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84

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debex-kde-desktop-160102-smallNEWS 160102
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 150830. It’s a pure Debian 8.2 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 4.3.0-5-exton. (Latest as of 160102). I have pre-installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.63. 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 160102. Study the full package list.

Software management
DebEX (all three versions) uses Apt (apt-get) and Synaptic. I have also installed Pacapt (an Arch’s pacman-like package manager). It works extremely well. Available commands: pacapt -h. For example: pacapt -S libreoffice installs LibreOffice.

Runs from RAM
DebEX KDE can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run DebEX from RAM. I.e. superfast!

Screenshot of the KDE Plasma Desktop in version 160102 of DebEX KDE – pic1

Screenshot of the KDE Desktop with Netflix running in version 160102 of DebEX KDE – pic2

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX (Debian 8.1) Gnome with kernel 4.1.0-3-exton

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debianRedNEWS 150831 about DebEX Gnome
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live DVD. It’s a pure Debian system. It uses Gnome 3.14 and Mate 1.8.2 as Desktop environments. Gnome 3.14 is winning back disillusioned Linux users. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.41 in this new version of DebEX. Furthermore Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version of 150831.

About DebEX Barebone, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE Linux 64 bit
All three systems/distributions are a based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.1). There are also certain elements of Debian Sid (unstable). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly. Gnome 3.14 is used in DebEX Gnome. KDE 4.14.3 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 is used in DebEX KDE. DebEX Barebone uses “my” special kernel 3.18.0-8-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 3.18.1). DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE use “my” special kernel 4.1.0-3-exton equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.1.3. The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

Runs from RAM
DebEX Gnome can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run DebEX from RAM.

About Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 340.65/352.41 in all three versions of DebEX
If you can and want to use said driver you’ll have to leave X/Xfce4/KDE by pressing Ctrl Alt F1 followed by Ctrl Alt F2. Log in as root with password root. Then run the command nvidia-xconfig (to create /etc/X11/xorg.conf). Then run startx to enter X/Xfce4/KDE again. You will notice a big difference if you have the right (modern/new) Nvidia card. On certain computers you can’t leave X by pressing Ctrl Alt F1. In that case you can only use said driver after a hard drive installation of DebEX. Then run the command nvidia-xconfig and restart your computer. The Nvidia drivers has support for the following GPUs: GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M.

Rolling distribution
Debian Jessie/DebEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world). This means, for example, that you can go on and install Gnome 3.14 or/and KDE 4.14.3 in DebEX Barebone/KDE. I.e. the latest versions (as of 150831) of Gnome and KDE.

Screenshot of the Gnome Desktop in version 150831 of DebEX Gnome

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

DebEX (Debian 8.1) KDE with kernel 4.1.0-3-exton

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debianRedNEWS 150830 about DebEX KDE
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Live DVD. It replaces version 150219. It’s a pure Debian 8.1 system. I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE uses KDE 4.14.3 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 as Desktop environment and kernel 4.1.0-3-exton. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.41. Furthermore Google Chrome to make it possible to watch Netflix movies. I’ve 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 150830. Study the full package list.

About DebEX Barebone, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE Linux 64 bit
All three systems/distributions are a based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.1). There are also certain elements of Debian Sid (unstable). Xfce 4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly. Gnome 3.14 is used in DebEX Gnome. KDE 4.14.3 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 is used in DebEX KDE. DebEX Barebone uses “my” special kernel 3.18.0-8-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 3.18.1). So does DebEX Gnome version 150122. DebEX KDE uses “my” special kernel 4.1.0-3-exton equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.1.3.

What’s new in kernel 4.1? (Linux 4.1 is a major update to the Linux kernel)

About Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 340.65/352.41 in all three versions of DebEX
If you can and want to use said driver you’ll have to leave X/Xfce4/KDE by pressing Ctrl Alt F1 followed by Ctrl Alt F2. Log in as root with password root. Then run the command nvidia-xconfig (to create /etc/X11/xorg.conf). Then run startx to enter X/Xfce4/KDE again. You will notice a big difference if you have the right (modern/new) Nvidia card. On certain computers you can’t leave X by pressing Ctrl Alt F1. In that case you can only use said driver after a hard drive installation of DebEX. Then run the command nvidia-xconfig and restart your computer. The Nvidia drivers has support for the following GPUs: GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M.

Rolling distribution
Debian Jessie/DebEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world). This means, for example, that you can go on and install Gnome 3.14 or/and KDE 4.14.3 in DebEX Barebone/KDE. I.e. the latest versions (as of 150830) of Gnome and KDE.

The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

Screenshot of the KDE Plasma Desktop in version 150830 of DebEX KDE

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