Author: exton

ExTiX 23.5-2 – “The Ultimate Linux System” – based on Ubuntu 23.04 with LXQt 1.3, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton :: Build 230530

May

2023

ExTiX 23.5-2 LXQt – Build 230530
I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 23.5-2 LXQt Live System. (The previous LXQt version was 22.8 from 220814). ExTiX 23.5-2 is based on Ubuntu 23.04 (Lunar Lobster)! Ubuntu 23.04 will be supported (only) until January 2024. To be able to upgrade LXQt from version 0.17 to 1.3 I first had to upgrade Ubuntu from version 22.04 (supported until April 2027) to 23.04. The best thing with ExTiX 23.5-2 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. So easy that a ten year child can do it! One other very good thing with this version of ExTiX is that it is quite light. The ISO file is of only 2050 MB, which means that you can run the system super fast from RAM. When the boot process is ready you can eject the DVD or USB stick. Use Boot alternative 3 or Advanced options… >> load to RAM.

ABOUT
ExTiX 23.5-2 LXQt System 64 bit is based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 23.04. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed LXQt 1.3 (latest version, released 230415). LXQt is the Qt port and the upcoming version of LXDE, the Lightweight Desktop Environment. It is the product of the merge between the LXDE-Qt and the Razor-qt projects: A lightweight, modular, blazing-fast and user-friendly desktop environment. NOTE: This ExTiX LXQt Build is for installation to UEFI-enabled computers. You shall use Refracta Installer for that.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX LXQt – root’s Desktop
2. ExTiX LXQt – user’s Desktop
3. ExTiX 23.5-2 running in full screen in VirtualBox
4. ExTiX LXQt running in VMware

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

exton No Comments extonExton Linux Systems Create you own installable Ubuntu system with Refracta SnapshotExTiX 23.5-2extonkernel 6.3.1-amd64-extonLXQt 1.3Refracta InstallerRefracta snapshotruns from RAMUbuntu 23.04

SlackEX 15.0 (Slackware 15.0) Live System with KDE Plasma 5.27.5 (latest), Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton :: Build 230525

May

2023

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 remasters of Slackware Current (15.0), which I call SlackEX 15.0 Current 64 bit Linux Live DVD, are 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.

NEWS ABOUT SlackEX 15.0 stable Build 230525 with KDE Plasma 5.27.5 (latest) as DE
A new extra version of SlackEX is ready. It is based on Slackware 15.0 stable released 220203. In this version I’ve installed KDE Plasma 5.27.5 (latest version released 230509). Plasma 5.27 is a LTS (Long Term Support) version. Kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton is used. The most important package installed is Refracta Snapshot. With that you can build your own Slackware distribution with Plasma 5.27.5. KDE is one of Slackware’s official Desktop Environments. The other one is Xfce4. NOTE1: You can run SlackEX Build 230525 as the normal user user or as root. The password for root is root. The password for user is live. NOTE2: You can run SlackEX Build 230525 on UEFI and non-Uefi computers. You can also run SlackEX live super fast from RAM. NOTE3: If you want to run SlackEX as root you shall choose “Other” using SDDM Login Manager. The password for root is root.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – root’s Desktop – KDE Plasma
Screenshot 2 – SlackEX running in VirtualBox when Guest additions have been installed (pre-installed now)
Screenshot 3 – root’s Desktop when running in VMware Player
Screenshot 4 – Spotify is running in Firefox
Screenshot 5 – showing System Info

Run latest Slackware 64 bit (15.0 STABLE) with Xfce4 live and create your own live installable Slackware 15.0 system with Refracta Snapshot!

May

2023

About SlackEX 15.0 64 bit Build 230521 (Xfce4), Build 221210 (Enlightenment/Xfce4) and Build 221214 (LXQt)

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 (15.0), which I call SlackEX 15.0 Current 64 bit Linux Live System, 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.

NEWS ABOUT SlackEX BUILD 230521 with the Xfce4 DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT (DE)
A new version of SlackEX is ready. It is based on Slackware 15.0 STABLE released 220202 with Xfce4 as DE. The most important package installed is Refracta Snapshot. With that you can build your own Slackware 15.0 distribution. Xfce4 is one of Slackware’s official Desktop environments. The other one is KDE. Kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton is used in this SlackEX Build. To be able to use Refracta Snapshot you’ll have to use said kernel. Otherwise you can (of course) replace “my” kernel with Slackware’s original kernel. Study the full package LIST.

Update/Upgrade the System
As regards my other two SlackEX Builds you can easily upgrade the systems to the present state of Slackware 15.0 stable. Just run the command sudo slackpkg update followed by sudo slackpkg upgrade-all.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – root’s Desktop with Xfce4 as DE
Screenshot 2 – SlackEX running in VirtualBox in full screen when Guest additions have been installed
Screenshot 3 – showing a Samba connection
Screenshot 4 – Refracta Snapshot is running in VirtualBox

ExTiX Mini Build 230510 with LXQt and kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton :: Run it super fast from RAM and/or create your own Linux system using Refracta Snapshot!

May

2023

NEWS 230510 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 23.5, Build 230510
I’ve made a new updated “mini” version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. It is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish. The ISO file is of only 1550 MB, which is good if you want to run the system super fast from RAM. It should be enough with 2GB RAM. When the boot process is ready you can eject the DVD or USB stick. Use Boot alternative 2. The best thing with ExTiX 23.5 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 22.04 system. So easy that a ten year child can do it! ExTiX 23.5 uses kernel 6.3.1-amd64-exton. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS will be supported until April 2027. That’s why ExTiX 23.5 isn’t based on Ubuntu 23.04.

Study all pre-installed packages in ExTiX 23.5.

More about ExTiX 23.5
This ExTiX version uses LXQt as Desktop environment. LXQt is the Qt port and the upcoming version of LXDE, the Lightweight Desktop Environment. It is the product of the merge between the LXDE-Qt and the Razor-qt projects: A lightweight, modular, blazing-fast and user-friendly desktop environment. NOTE: This ExTiX LXQt Build is for older UEFI-enabled computers and VirtualBox/VMware. When running ExTiX 23.5 in VirtualBox you can do it in full screen since VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

SCREENSHOTS
ExTiX version 230510 LXQt root Desktop
ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Installer
ExTiX LXQt running in VMware
ExTiX LXQt running in full screen in VirtualBox

Watch a YouTube video about ExTiX 22.5 Mini…

DebEX LXQt Bookworm (Debian 12) – 32 bit – for older computers with LXQt Desktop 1.2, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.3.0-rc6-exton ::: Build 230418

Apr

2023

About all DebEX systems
All four systems/distributions are based on Debian Sid (unstable). Gnome 43.4 and Enlightenment 0.25.4 are used as Desktop environments in DebEX Gnome/Enlightenment. Gnome 41 is used in DebEX Gnome. KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27.2 is used in DebEX KDE. LXQt 1.2 is used in DebEX Build 230418 – 32 bit. The system language is English (in all four versions of DebEX).

Debian 12 (Sid/upcoming Bookworm) is still supposed to be unstable, but the “full hard freeze” took place already 230312.

What is DebEX Linux? Study this ANSWER generated by ChatGPT-4 AI.

NEWS 230418 about DebEX LXQt 32 bit Build 230418
I’ve made a new DebEX system for older computers. It uses LXQt 1.2 as 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. Only a minimum of packages are installed. The ISO file is of only 1340 MB! Refracta Snapshot is pre-installed also in this version of DebEX, which means that you can make your own Debian 32 bit (Intel x86 32-bit architecture) live installable system in a very simple way. I mean change everything to your liking and then create a new ISO. I could run and install DebEX LXQt without problems on my oldest computer. An Acer Aspire 5102WLMi from the year 2006. So now you too can bring back life to your (very) old computer!
NOTE1: VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means that you can run DebEX LXQt in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot…
NOTE2: You can’t watch Netflix in this version of DebEX: That’s because Google no longer support Widevine on 32 bit systems.

The boot screen when running DebEX LXQt live – see below.

The boot screen when running DebEX LXQt from hard drive (VirtualBox) – see below.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The ordinary user user LXQt Desktop
2. Root’s Desktop
3. Running in QEMU
4. Running in VMware
5. Running in VirtualBox

DebEX Gnome/Enlightenment – Build 230411 – with Gnome 43.4, Enlightenment 0.25.4, penguins-eggs (a remaster tool), Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.3.0-rc4-amd64-exton

Apr

2023

NEWS 230411 ABOUT DebEX Gnome/Enlightenment
This DebEX version replaces version 211215, which also had the Budgie Desktop as DE. However Budgie seems incompatible with Debian 12 (Sid) right now, so I had to remove it.

Debian 12 (Sid/upcoming Bookworm) is still supposed to be unstable, but the “full hard freeze” took place already 230312.

So this new version of DebEX is based on Debian Sid (unstable) with Gnome 43.4, Enlightenment 0.25.4 and kernel 6.3.0-rc4-amd64-exton. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of April 11, 2023.

ABOUT penguins-eggs
My other DebEX builds are created with Refracta Snapshot. So is the new DebEX version of 230411. But it is also possible to create a new DebEX (Debian 12) system with a remaster tool called penguins-eggs, which is pre-installed in version 230411. Very easy to handle. Penguins-eggs is a console utility, in active development, who let you to remaster your system and redistribute it as iso images or from the lan via PXE remote boot. Penguins-eggs is developed by Piero Proietti. It is based on Remastersys, Refracta, Systemback and father Knoppix.

How-to use penguins-eggs
1. Install DebEX (or any other Debian/Ubuntu based system) to hard drive
2. Change everything to your liking
3. Open up a terminal and run the command sudo eggs dad -c
Screenshot 1 – NOTE: If you choose fast your new ISO will be ready in about five minutes (even in VirtualBox). If you choose max it will take about two hours (in VirtualBox), but the ISO will be about 500 MB smaller.. A smaller ISO has one disadvantage. It doesn’t boot as fast as the one built using the option fast.
4. Go on choosing Yes
Screenshot 2
5. Go on choosing Yes
Screenshot 3
6. Go on choosing Yes
Screenshot 4
7. You new ISO is ready!
Screenshot 5
NOTE: You can remaster DebEX in VirtualBox or VMware if you want. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed so you can run DebEX in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot.

SCREENSHOTS
1. A WiFi connection in Gnome
2. Penguins-egg running
3. Calamares Installer started in Enlightenment

ExTiX Deepin 23.4 Live based on Deepin 23 Alpha 2 (latest) with Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.3.0-rc4-amd64-exton :: Build 230403

Apr

2023

NEWS 230403 ABOUT ExTiX with Deepin 23 ALPHA 2
I’ve released a new version of ExTiX Deepin today (230403). This ExTiX Build is based on Deepin 23 Alpha 2 (latest version) released by Deepin Technology 230208. Please read the Release Notes…
As you can see the developers urge people to try Deepin Alpha 2 in a non-production environment! I must say, though, that I haven’t discovered any “bugs”. And the installed programs won’t “crash” or anything like that. On the contrary ExTiX Deepin 23.4 with the Deepin DE 23 works pretty well I would say. I have nevertheless kept ExTiX 22.12 with Deepin 20.8 on the server. Deepin 20.8 is the stable version released 221208. ExTiX 23.4 uses kernel 6.3.0-rc4-amd64-exton. ExTiX 23.4 works in the same way as all other ExTiX versions. I.e. you can install it to hard drive while running the system live. Use Refracta Installer for that. You can also create your own live installable Deepin 23 system with Refracta Snapshot. (Using ExTiX 23.4 as a “base system”). So easy that a ten year old child can do it!

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX 23.4 running in full screen in VirtualBox (VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed)
2. ExTiX Deepin 23.4 Desktop
3. ExTiX 23.4 is running in VMware
4. ExTiX 23.4 using Samba

DebEX KDE Plasma, Build 230330, based on Debian 12 Sid/Bookworm with kernel 6.1.12-exton and Refracta Snapshot

Mar

2023

NEWS 230330 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD – uefi. It’s a pure Debian 12 (Sid/upcoming Bookworm) system. Still supposed to be unstable, but the “full hard freeze” took place already 230312. And I haven’t discovered any “bugs”… There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved in DebEX. DebEX KDE Plasma Sid uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27.2 – latest version, released 230228 – as Desktop environment. Kernel 6.1.12-exton is used. Compiled with all Debian patches. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 230330. In Build 230330 I have added LURE (Linux User REpository). LURE is intended to bring the AUR to all distros. It is currently in an alpha state and may not be stable. It can download a repository, build packages in it using a bash script similar to PKGBUILD, and then install them using your system package manager. Read about how to use LURE…

VirtualBox Guest Additions and VMware Tools are pre-installed, which mean that you can run DebEX KDE in full screen – see the screenshots below.

THE REAL McCoy
DebEX is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian and (mostly) of Debian Sid/unstable. So is DebEX KDE.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Using LURE to install Thunar
2. The Desktop for the ordinary user user
3. The Desktop for root
4. Running in full screen in VirtualBox
5. Running in full screen in VMware

Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 230319 with Refracta Snapshot (so you can create your own Raspberrypi Debian 12 Pixel system)

Mar

2023

NEWS 230319 about Raspberry Pi Debian 12 Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
Study all included packages in Build 230319 – latest by 230319. I’ve added NetworkManager and also Wicd, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections. Choose the one which works for you.

Most important changes in Build 230319
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425, 180316, 180928, 190705, 191102, 201108 and 220505 . I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Bullseye to Bookworm – upcoming Debian 12. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 5.10.0-13-686-pae to 6.1.0-6-686-pae. I’ve also included kernel 6.1.0-6-686, which shall be used on older computers. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. Firefox have been installed so you’ll have a browser when logged in as root. You can’t run Chromium as root. Another good thing about Firefox is that you can use it to watch Netflix movies. In Build 230319 I have removed Chromium. I saw no advantage in keeping it. You can run the system in full screen in VirtualBox. That’s because VirtualBox’s Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

NOTE
This Debian PIXEL 32bit build is for non-efi computers.

UNIQUE?
As far as I know there is no official Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian) image with Debian 12.
NOTE: Debian 12 soft freeze will happen very soon.

KERNEL
Kernel 6.1.0-6-686-pae is used in Build 230319. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. If you want to run the system (which is 32bit) on older computers you shall use kernel 6.1.0-6-686, which also is included.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – User pi’s Desktop 230309
Screenshot 2 – Debian PIXEL running in VirtualBox in full screen
Screenshot 3 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 4 – The installation is ready
Screenshot 5 – Spotify Web Player running

READ MORE…

exton No Comments extonExton Linux SystemsRaspberry Pi 32 bitCreate your own Debian PIXEL systemDebian PixelextonKernel 6.1.0-6-686-paenon-uefiRaspberry Piruns from RAM

MeX 64 bit Linux based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS with Ubuntu Desktop (Gnome 42.5), Kodi 19.4 and kernel 6.2.3-amd64-exton :: Build 230314

Mar

2023

NEWS/CHANGES 230314
I’ve uploaded a new version of MeX, in which I’ve included Kodi Matrix 19.4 – latest version. Kodi is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub that can be installed on Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, tvOS and Android. It is designed around a “10-foot user interface” for use with televisions and remote controls. Kodi runs very well in MeX. On a web site called FireStickTricks you can find instructions how to install 27 (?!) extra Kodi Builds with their own repositories and skins. The article is called Best Kodi Builds March 2023. I’ve tried Grindhouse today. Works very well. Otherwise MeX version 230314 works in the same way as previous versions.

MORE MeX NEWS 230314
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive.
2. Another big improvement is that MeX now can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 4 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 2050 MB so MeX will run super fast from RAM!
3. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox. Google Chrome is no longer needed to be able to run Netflix in Linux.
4. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Live DVD with Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed)! The whole “remaster process” is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.
5. I have installed Calamares Installer as in many of my other Linux 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 MeX on both UEFI computers and non UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware).
6. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed so you can run MeX in full screen in VirtualBox.

Used KERNEL
Kernel 6.2.3-amd64-exton

What’s new in kernel 6.2?

Who can benefit from MeX?
All who like Debian/Ubuntu and want a system that is easy to use and maintain. And of course those who want to create their own Ubuntu 22.04 LTS system in a very simple way with Refracta Snapshot. Regarding MeX also those who want to run a Linux system super fast from RAM and/or like to run Linux from a USB flash drive. And those who want a new kernel – 6.2.3.

SCREENSHOTS
The Desktop for user live
Kodi Matrix running

READ MORE…

exton No Comments extonExton Linux Systems CalamaresCreate you own installable Ubuntu system with Refracta SnapshotextonKodi 19.4MeX LinuxRefracta snapshotUbuntu 22.04 LTS