Tag Archives: RaspEX

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

The 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi works in RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0

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raspex-kodi-touchscren-20160627-1-smallGreat news 160627 about RaspEX Build 160426
I got the official  7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi today. I started immediately to test the touchscreen running RaspEX. To my great pleasure (and surprise) the touchscreen worked perfectly out of the box! I.e. I didn’t have to install any extra packages to make it work. According to raspberrypi.org only Raspbian OS is supposed to give full functionality without a physical keyboard or mouse.

Screenshot – RaspEX running a video in Kodi Media Center

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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, Raspberry systems

RaspEX Build 160402: Now with Kodi (XBMC) Media Center, Bluetooth, Samba, SSH and VNC4Server

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raspberry-logoNEWS 160402
I discovered to my horror that Build 160331 of RaspEX didn’t have support for YouTube in Kodi. Many Add-ons (extensions) in Kodi are dependent on the YouTube Add-on. I therefore (of course) had to correct this error and upload a new version (160402) of RaspEX. While I was at it I took the opportunity to install some additional popular Music, Video and Picture Add-ons.

NEWS 160331: A new version of RaspEX especially built for the new Raspberry Pi 3 is ready
I have upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel, added support for Bluetooth and installed Kodi (XBMC) Media Center as an alternative to the LXDE Desktop.

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)

Raspberry Pi 3: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 2? Raspberry Pi 3 is performing 10 times faster than that of the Pi 1 and around 50 percent better than that of the Pi 2 according to testers.

NEWS 160402 ABOUT RaspEX
My previous version of RaspEX is from 160307. I have now upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel, added support for Bluetooth and installed Kodi (XBMC) Media Center as an alternative to the LXDE Desktop. RaspEX Build 160331 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (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.

How do I run Kodi?
You can just start Kodi from the menu while in the LXDE Desktop environment as the ordinary user raspex or as root. Then you can just start adding video and music Add-ons. I suggest that you also add a “Superrepo” – http://srp.nu. Please note that I have already installed some popular Add-ons in Build 160402.

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160402

Screenshot of RaspEX’s Desktop while Wicd is running (for configuration of a wireless connection)

Screenshots showing additional popular Music, Video and Picture Add-ons in Kodi Media Center.

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX – Build 160308 – with OpenCPN pre-installed, now especially for Raspberry Pi 3

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raspex-opencpn-stockholm-uto-smallRaspEX – Build 160308 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with OpenCPN – especially made for Raspberry Pi 3

OpenCPN is a free software (GPLv2) project to create a concise chart plotter and navigation software, for use underway or as a planning tool. OpenCPN is developed by a team of active sailors using real world conditions for program testing and refinement.

REPLACEMENT
This build (160803) replaces build 151029 which can run only on Raspberry Pi 2 computers. Build 160803 is made especially for Raspberry Pi 3, but can also be used on Raspberry Pi 2.

ABOUT RaspEX Build 160308
RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160308) I’ve installed OpenCPN 4.1.915 from source.

Read this OpenCPN Review….

Screenshots
1. OpenCPN World Map
2. OpenCPN Florida – Cape Canaveral
3. OpenCPN New York – Approaches to New York
4. OpenCPN Stockholm archipelago

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX – Build 160307 – for the new Raspberry Pi 3

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raspberry-logoNEWS 160307: A new version of RaspEX especially built for the new Raspberry Pi 3 is ready
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)

Raspberry Pi 3: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 2? Raspberry Pi 3 is performing 10 times faster than that of the Pi 1 and around 50 percent better than that of the Pi 2 according to testers.

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 have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd and RaspArch. RaspEX Build 160307 with a new kernel runs very well on Raspberry Pi 3. You can (of course) also run the new RaspEX system on a “old” Raspberry Pi 2.

NEWS 160307 ABOUT RaspEX
My first version of RaspEX is from 150318, my second from 150706 and my third one from 151027. I have now upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel. RaspEX Build 160307 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160307) 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.

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

Softpedia review
RaspEX version 151001 was reviewed by Softpedia 151001.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member on this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 160307 is (of course) even faster, especially if you run the system on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

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raspberry-logoNEWS from Raspberrypi.org
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)

Raspberry Pi 3: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 2? Raspberry Pi 3 is performing 10 times faster than that of the Pi 1 and around 50 percent better than that of the Pi 2 according to testers. I have (of course) bought one and from my experience I must agree.

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 have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd and RaspArch. I will start with RaspEX.

raspberrypi3-20160304-small

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX – Build 151029 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with OpenCPN pre-installed

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raspex-opencpn-stockholm-uto-smallRaspEX – Build 151029 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with OpenCPN

OpenCPN is a free software (GPLv2) project to create a concise chart plotter and navigation software, for use underway or as a planning tool. OpenCPN is developed by a team of active sailors using real world conditions for program testing and refinement.

ABOUT RaspEX Build 151029
RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.1), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (151029) I’ve installed OpenCPN 4.1.915 from source.

Read this OpenCPN Review….

Read about how to install and use RaspEX – Build 151027 without OpenCPN. The same instructions are valid for RaspEX Build 151029 with OpenCPN.

SCREENSHOTS
1. OpenCPN World Map
2. OpenCPN Florida – Cape Canaveral
3. OpenCPN New York – Approaches to New York
4. OpenCPN Stockholm archipelago

READ MORE…

 

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX – Build 151027 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with SSH, Samba and VNC4Server >> Connect to your Windows computers

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raspberry-logoNEWS 151027 ABOUT RaspEX
My first version of RaspEX is from 150318 and my second from 150706. I have now upgraded the whole system. RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.1), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (151027) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and added support for Adobe Flash in Chromium (so you can watch 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 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools.

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

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Wheezy) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member on this site thought that running RaspEX was like running Raspberry on “steroids“.

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 151027

View RaspEX new Desktop 151027

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX, Raspberry systems

RaspEX – Build 151001 – with SSH, Samba and VNC4Server >> Connect to your Windows computers

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raspberry-logoNEWS 151001 ABOUT RaspEX
My first version of RaspEX is from 150318 and my second from 150706. I have now upgraded the whole system. RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8), Ubuntu Vivid Vervet (Ubuntu 15.04) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (151001) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and added support for Adobe Flash in Chromium (so you can watch 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 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client).

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

About RaspEX
RaspEX is a full Linux Desktop system with LXDE (an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment) and many other useful programs pre-installed. Chromium is used as Web Browser and Synaptic as Package Manager. You can use Samba and VNC4Server to connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). You can use Synaptic to install any extra packages you may need. For example LibreOffice. RaspEX uses Ubuntu’s software repositories so you can install thousands of extra packages if you want.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Wheezy) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member on this site thought that running RaspEX was like running Raspberry on “steroids“.

About SSH, PuTTY, Samba, VNC4Server and VNC Viewer
SSH, Samba and VNC4Server are pre-installed in RaspEX Build 151001. You need to install PuTTy and and VNC Viewer in your Windows system if you want to connect to RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 2 from Windows the way the below slideshow shows. (Please read the developers information about how to configure PuTTy and VNC Viewer).

Watch this slideshow re. connections between RaspEX and Windows.

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