NEWS 200404 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 20.4, Build 200404 Today I’ve found a patch, which make it possible to install Nvidia’s latest proprietary driver while using kernel 5.6.2 in ExTiX. I therefore had to build and release a new version of ExTiX LXQt Mini today. You can download and install “my” kernel 5.6.2-exton in any Ubuntu/Debian system if you want. Download also the patch for Nvidia 440.64 (with instructions about how to apply the patch). NOTE: Nvidia’s driver will be used automatically if your computer has support for it.
NEWS 200402 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 20.4, Build 200402
I‘ve made a new “mini” version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. It is based on (upcoming) Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa. The ISO file is now of 1050 MB, which is good if you want to run the system super fast from RAM. When the boot process is ready you can eject the DVD or USB stick. Use Boot alternative 2 or Advanced options… >> load to RAM. The best thing with ExTiX 20.4 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu 20.04 system. So easy that a ten year child can do it! ExTiX 20.4 uses the latest kernel – 5.6.2. Released by Kernel.org today.
Edit 200403
ExTiX 20.4 is now on the front page at DistroWatch.com. That will probably dramatically increase the download numbers – https://distrowatch.com/index.php?dataspan=1
NEWS 200324 ABOUT RaspEX In RaspEX Build 200321 Bluetooth can’t be used without a Bluetooth dongle. Now I’ve added a script, which load the Bluetooth daemon at boot. I therefore had to upload a new version of RaspEX today. Bluetooth works very well in today’s version. Watch this screenshot.
NEWS 200321 about RaspEX with LXDE based on (upcoming) Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa. Works on the new Raspberry Pi 4 I have upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel 4.19.63-exton-v7l+ with kernel 4.19.108-exton-v7l+. RaspEX Build 200321 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 4, 3 Model B, 3 Model B+ and Raspberry Pi 2. It is based on Debian, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). Both Firefox and Midori Private Browser are pre-installed. I have also installed Samba and RealVNC so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 4, Pi 3 or Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube and Raspotify – Raspotify is a Spotify Connect client for Raspbian on the Raspberry Pi that just works. Study all installed packages in RaspEX Build 200321. NOTE: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be supported until April 25, 2025!
View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 200321
THE IMPORTANCE of RaspEX LXDE now being based on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa (UNSTABLE/DEVELOPMENT) I don’t think it is too important since RaspEX doesn’t use complicated Desktop Environments like KDE, Gnome or Unity. Programs won’t crash or anything like that. And I haven’t discovered any bugs to report. Just upgrade your RaspEX installation regularly and you won’t have any problems. I think.
Why shall I use RaspEX? Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Buster) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2 Model B) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. If you use the new Raspberry Pi 4 RaspEX will run even faster!
ExTiX 20.2 – Build 200127 I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 20.2 KDE Plasma Live DVD. (The previous KDE version was 19.1 from 181228). The best thing with ExTiX 20.2 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu 20.04 system. So easy that a ten year child can do it!
ExTiX 20.02 KDE Plasma DVD 64 bit is based on Debian and (upcoming) Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.66.0 with KDE 4.19. 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.
The system language is ENGLISH.
Used KERNEL My special kernel 5.5.0-rc7-exton.
What’s new in Linux kernel 5.5?
NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 20.2 Build 200127 with the KDE Plasma Desktop environment, Calamares Installer and Refracta Snapshot 1. ExTiX KDE Plasma is based on (upcoming) Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa. KDE 4.19 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 200127. Kernel 5.5.0-rc7-exton is used. 2. I have removed Google Chrome. It is now possible to watch Netflix movies in Firefox. 3. Other included important/useful packages are: GParted, Brasero, GCC and other compilation tools so that you can install packages from source. Furthermore “all” multimedia codecs. Everything the average Linux user could wish for I would say. 4. The best thing with ExTiX 20.2 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. Very easy to do. When starting Refracta Snapshot you will see this. 5. I have installed Calamares Installer as in my other ExTiX builds. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Very easy to use. You can use Calamares to install ExTiX on both UEFI computers and non UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware).
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL about ExTiX and especially the new version from 200127? 1. The ExTiX ISO’s are ISO-hybrids, which means that they can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run ExTiX from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! 2. Another big improvement is that ExTiX can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 4 GB RAM to run ExTiX that way. Running from RAM means that the system will run faster than from DVD or USB stick. Everything will be super fast I would say! 3. I’ve replaced kernel 4.20.0-exton with kernel 5.5.0-rc7-exton. Latest by 200127. 4. I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity (live installer) with Calamares. You can also (still) use Refracta Installer. They work very well. I.e. a new user (your user) will be created during the installation process and you’ll get a chance to change root’s password. Just start any of the installers from the menu under System. 5. The best thing with ExTiX 20.2 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu 20.04 system. 6. Nvidia proprietary Graphics driver 440.44 (patched for kernel 5.5) is pre-installed in ExTiX 20.2.
The importance of ExTiX 20.2 being based on upcoming Ubuntu 20.04 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is due to be released on April 23, 2020. ExTiX 20.2 is therefore (of course) not the most stable Linux system out there. ExTiX 20.2 is not for “daily use” I would say. Having said that I also must say that I haven’t bumped into any problems when running ExTiX 20.2 on my computers. I also must say that this version of ExTiX is very fast and responsive. Especially if you run ExTiX from RAM. My guess is that you can avoid all problems if you upgrade ExTiX 20.2 every week. I.e. once you have installed the system to hard drive.
NEWS 200404 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 20.4, Build 200404
