Month: June 2017

ArchEX (Arch Linux) with LXQt, kernel 4.11.6-3-ARCH, Firefox 54.0, Yaourt and Calamares installer – Build 170626

Jun

2017

NEWS 170627 about Calamares Installer
I’ve finally managed to make Calamares (The universal installer framework) work without problems/issues. Yesterdays version of ArchEX has therefore been replaced today. 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. Watch the slideshow below showing all installation steps.

<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20170627_1819427827090409_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

WHAT IS ArchEX?
ArchEX 64 bit is a new (170626) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.11.6-3-ARCH and the LXQt Desktop environment. 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 54.0 (for Netflix), Gimp, 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 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!

Android-x86_64 Nougat 7.1.2 – Build 170619 – with GAPPS and kernel 4.9.31-exton-android-x86_64

Jun

2017

News 170621 about AndEX 7.1.2
Yesterday I said that AndEX 7.1.2 couldn’t run in VirtualBox and VMware. Actually it can! It just takes about 10 min for the Desktop to show up when running AndEX live. (I mean directly from the ISO file). Watch this screenshot – VirtualBox and this screenshot – VMware. Just give AndEX enough RAM. I gave AndEX 3GB. You can (of course) also install AndEX to a virtual hard drive in VirtualBox and VMware. The system will be very responsive then.

NEWS 170619 about AndEX Nougat 7.1.2
My new build of Android x86_64 – android_x86_64-7.1.2-nougat-gapps-kernel-4.9.31-exton-990mb-170619.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 7.1.2 in compatibility mode (VESA) though. GAPPS and all other apps mentioned below are installed. NOTE: You can run AndEX Nougat Build 170619 on newer laptops and Desktop computers. Sound won’t work on all though – see below. The video performance is generally very very good.

Screenshot – AndEX Build 170619 – the Desktop

MORE NEWS 170619: AndEX – Nougat 7.1.2 with kernel 4.9.31-exton-android-x86_64 and GAPPS
My new build of Android-x86_64 Nougat 7.1.2 have GAPPS pre-installed. I.e. Google Play Services 11.0.55, Google Play Store 7.9.52-Q-all, Aptoide App Manager, Google Play Games 3.9.08 (needed for Clash of Clans to run), Gmail 7.6.4 and YouTube 12.14.56. Also many other apps. For example: Spotify 8.4.4.810, Clash of Clans 9.24.16, File Manager 2.0.0.355, HD Camera Ultra 2.3.1 (works very well), Google Maps 9.50.2, SnapTube 4.3.0, Firefox 54.0 (latest version) and Rotation Control Pro 1.1.9.

PREREQUISITE
The system can be installed manually to hard drive. To be able to do that you must have at least one Linux system installed on your hard drive. You must also use Grub as boot loader. You can also (or alternatively) install AndEX 7.1.2 while running the system from a DVD or from a USB stick. Use preferable Rufus to create a bootable USB stick. Or burn the ISO file (android_x86_64-7.1.2-nougat-gapps-kernel-4.9.31-exton-990mb-170619.iso) to a DVD and run the system from it.

ABOUT Andex Nougat 7.1.2
My compiled Android-x86_64 system (Nougat 7.1.2) can run live or from hard drive on certain computers. The system can run and be installed on almost all newer 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 my new Nougat version without problems on a HP Pavilion 500-317no Desktop Computer. The Android-AndEX 7.1.2 system is distributed in the form of a Zip file and a ISO file. You can do a manual installation to hard drive. That can even be done to a drive where you already have another Linux system (for example Ubuntu 17.04) installed. That’s sort of a Frugal Installation (normally used by Puppy Linux). Read more about different installations of AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 at the INFO site.

Android Nougat 7.1.2 was released 170403.

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 Nougat Build 170619 almost all apps and games can be installed via Google Play Store. You can even install very big games (of 1GB or so), but unfortunately almost all such games need a touchscreen. Clash of Clans (pre-installed) works very good though. So does Angry Birds. Still not convinced? Then read my article about “How useful an Androx-x86 system can be for the average computer user“.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Nougat boot animation (which you must see during the boot. If not, the installation was unsuccessful)
Screenshot 2 – AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 Desktop
Screenshot 3 – AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 – Google Play Store running
Screenshot 4 – AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 – Aptoide App Manager running
Screenshot 5 – AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 – Spotify running
Screenshot 6 – AndEX Nougat 7.1.2 – Showing all installed apps

RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 170616 with better video performance, GAPPS, Kodi 17.3, Aptoide TV, Firefox 54.0 and Clash of Clans

Jun

2017

NEWS 170616 about RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2
A new version of RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 is ready. Most important change: YouTube works very well! The video performance in RaspAnd Build 170616 is generally much better than in build 170605. Example of perfect video quality while running YouTube.

Download RaspAnd Build 170616…

MORE NEWS 170616 ABOUT RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2
I have finally managed to make a version of RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 with GAPPS, which can be installed to a Micro SD card (preferable a class 10 card) in Windows 10 using Win32 Disk Imager. You can alternatively (of course) use the dd-command in a Linux system. Unzip the downloaded file raspand-nougat-7.1.2-gapps-kodi-aptoide-tv-clashofclans-firefox-701mb-170616.zip. Then open a terminal and run the command dd if=raspand-nougat-7.1.2-gapps-kodi-aptoide-tv-clashofclans-firefox-7400mb-170616.img of=/dev/sdX bs=1M
(Change X to b, d or…).

What’s the point with Win32 Disk Imager?
Well, until now you had to have some basic knowledge about Linux to be able to install RaspAnd 7.1.2. Now you don’t need any special knowledge at all! (Just some basic computer knowledge). When you use Win32 Disk Imager it will look like this.

MORE ABOUT RaspAnd
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 Build 170616 is an Android 7.1.2 Nougat system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have included the following apps:
1) GAPPS (Google Play Services, but not Google Play Store)
2) Kodi 17.3 (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 1.2.0 (working very very well)
4) Rotation Control Pro 1.1.2 (which you may or may not need)
5) Google Play Games 3.9.08 (needed for Clash of Clans to run)
6) Clash of Clans 9.24.9 (working very well!)
7) Gmail 7.4.23
8) Aptoide TV 3.2.1 (for installing new apps – many many apps can be installed!)
9) ES File Explorer Pro 1.0.8 working very well
10) Firefox 54.0 (latest version – working very well)

ABOUT Android 7.1.2
Version 7.1.2 is the latest Android system by now. Released on April 8, 2017. The system is used in very few mobile phones (as far as I know).

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Nougat boot animation (which you must see during the boot. If not, the installation was unsuccessful)
Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop
Screenshot 3 – Kodi running
Screenshot 4 – ES File Explorer running
Screenshot 5 – Spotify running
Screenshot 6 – Firefox running
Screenshot 7 – YouTube running
Screenshot 8 – YouTube running with perfect video quality
Screenshot 9 – Aptoide TV running

Run your Slackware installation with the latest kernel – 4.12-rc4!

Jun

2017

NEWS 170611
Kernel 4.12-rc4-x86_64-exton is my newest Slackware kernel. Kernel 4.12-rc4 was released by Kernel.org on June 4, 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 4.12-rc4-x86_64-exton has even more support for new hardware, etc. Kernel 4.12-rc4 is the latest kernel available from Kernel.org. Released 20170604.

What’s new in kernel 4.12?

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

1. Download linux-kernel-4.12-rc4-x86_64-exton.txz – md5sum
2. Install it with the command installpkg linux-kernel-4.12-rc4-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-4.12-rc4-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!

exton No Comments extonLinux 64bitextonkernel 4.12-rc4Linuxlinux-kernel-4.12-rc4-x86_64-extonSlackEXSlackware

Exton|OS Build 170609 with Mate 1.8.0, Refracta Tools (build your own live Ubuntu system) and kernel 4.11.0-5-exton

Jun

2017

NEWS 170609 ABOUT Exton|OS with Mate 1.18.0 and Refracta Tools
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.18 (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Program content in build 170609: Refracta Tools, Firefox, Gimp, Vlc and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at June 9, 2017. Study the NEW PACKAGE list. Google Chrome has been removed since it’s possible now to use Netflix in Firefox.

WHAT’S NEW in MATE 1.18?

KERNEL
I have replaced kernel 4.9.0-11-exton with my special kernel 4.11.0-5-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.11.3 – the second latest stable kernel as of 170609. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.11.0-5-exton.zip with the command unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.11.0-5-exton.zip. With kernel 4.11.3 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.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.11?

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Mate Build 170609. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 17.04 Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running Exton|OS from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. (Or change that in /etc/refractasnapshot.conf). The whole thing is very simple. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop
Screenshot 2 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Spotify
Screenshot 3 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Refracta Snapshot
Screenshot 4 of Exton|OS running in VMware
Screenshot 5 of Exton|OS running in VirtualBox
Screenshot 6 – showing how to configure the Network with Wicd in VirtualBox

RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 170605 with GAPPS, Kodi 17.3, Aptoide TV, SnapTube and Clash of Clans

Jun

2017

NEWS 170605 ABOUT RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2
I have finally managed to make a version of RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 with GAPPS, which can be installed to a Micro SD card (preferable a class 10 card) in Windows 10 using Win32 Disk Imager. You can alternatively (of course) use the dd-command in a Linux system. Unzip the downloaded file raspand-nougat-7.1.2-gapps-kodi-snaptube-aptoide-tv-clashofclans-676mb-170605.zip. Then open a terminal and run the command dd if=raspand-nougat-7.1.2-gapps-kodi-snaptube-aptoide-tv-clashofclans-7400mb-170605.img of=/dev/sdX bs=1M
(Change X to b, d or…).

MORE ABOUT RaspAnd Build 170605
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.2 Build 170605 is an Android 7.1.2 Nougat system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have included the following apps:
1) GAPPS (Google Play Services, but not Google Play Store)
2) Kodi 17.3 (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 1.2.0 (working very very well)
4) Rotation Control Pro 1.1.2 (which you may or may not need)
5) Google Play Games 3.9.08 (needed for Clash of Clans to run)
6) Clash of Clans 9.24.9 (working very well!)
7) Gmail 7.4.23
8) Aptoide TV 3.2.1 (for installing new apps)
9) ES File Explorer Pro 1.0.8 working very well
10) Termux 0.48 (terminal with which you can use Apt to install certain programs)
11) SnapTube 4.17.0.8739 (with sound, but no video. However, using SnapTube you can download videos/movies from YouTube and replay them in Windows or Linux with perfect video quality)

ABOUT Android 7.1.2
Version 7.1.2 is the latest Android system by now. Released on April 8, 2017. The system is used in very few mobile phones (as far as I know).

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Nougat boot animation (which you must see during the boot. If not, the installation was unsuccessful)
Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop
Screenshot 3 – Kodi running
Screenshot 4 – Kodi running (choosing Add-ons)
Screenshot 5 – ES File Explorer running
Screenshot 6 – Spotify running
Screenshot 8 – SnapTube running
Screenshot 9 – Termux running
Screenshot 10 – Settings running (choosing apps to start)

Please note that the colors in the screenshots are not accurate. The actual screen color is more like in this picture taken with my mobile phone.