Category: Raspberry

Run Raspberry Pi PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 170425 with Refracta Tools

Apr

2017

NEWS 170425 about Raspberry Pi Debian Pixel
I have updated my first Debian Pixel Build from 161223. Study all included packages – latest by 170425. I’ve also added NetworkManager, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections.

NEWS 161223
Yesterday I read that the Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the release of a new PIXEL image that can be booted on a PC or Mac. Study this site. I saw immediately that there was no installer included, which I thought was a little disappointing. Come to think of Refracta tools, which work very well in Debian and Ubuntu. I quickly made a “remix” of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. My remix thus include Refracta tools. This means that you can easily install the system to hard drive and you can just as easily make it your own remix of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. Study all included packages. I’ve added a few packages. Most important Synaptic, which I find essential.

READ MORE…

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RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.1 for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 – Build 170127 – with GAPPS and Kodi 17.0-RC4

Jan

2017

ABOUT
RaspAnd Nougat 7.1.1 Build 170127 is an Android 7.1.1 Nougat system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have included the following apps:
1) GAPPS (latest by 170125)
2) Kodi 17.0-RC4 (with YouTube enabled and working!)
3) Firefox 51.0
4) Spotify 1.0.0
5) Rotation Control Pro 1.1.9
6) AIDA64 1.44
7) Aptoide App Store 8.0.1.2
8) YouTube 1.3.11 (sound, but no video. If you, however, use SnapTube you can download videos/movies from YouTube and replay them in Windows or Linux with perfect video quality)
9) ES File Explorer Pro 1.0.8
10) Gmail 7.1.1
11) Google Play Services 10.2.91
12) Google App 6.10.37.21
13) Google Play Store 7.4.12.L-all (not working, but since Google Play Services work very well you can install many new GAPPS using Aptoide App Store).
14) SnapTube 4.11.0.8.8655

ABOUT KODI
Kodi (an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media center for playing videos, music, pictures, games, and more) works very well in RaspAnd. You can enable a lot of Add-ons. Most important is that the YouTube Add-on is enabled by default and that it works very well. I.e. both the sound and the video performance when running YouTube in Kodi is satisfying.

KNOWN ISSUES
1. The screen can flicker sometimes on certain monitors. In the worst cases it can look like this. Fix: Click on the screen or wait a moment.
2. Google Play Store won’t run. Nothing to do about it (right now). Aptoide is a good replacement since you can install most Google apps using Aptoide.
3. You can’t watch videos/movies using the YouTube app. The sound is very good though. Nothing to do about it (right now). Please note that you can run YouTube in Kodi with good video and sound quality.
4. Not all apps will run in RaspAnd Nougat. You can for example run the popular (?) Clash of Clans, but not Angry Birds. Many many apps will run without problems though.
5. You may have to reconnect to your Wifi Network after every reboot of RaspAnd. Sort of a “bug”.

PLEASE NOTE that the installation to a Micro SD Card has to take place in Linux.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Aptoide App Store running
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 7 – AIDA64 running
Screenshot 8 – SnapTube running
Screenshot 9 – SnapTube running and downloading from YouTube
Note: The “screenshots” are taken with my mobile phone camera. The colors are therefore not perfect. I.e. when running RaspAnd on your Raspberry Pi the screen colors are much better!

RaspArch Build 161205 :: Run Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 computer

Dec

2016

This version (161205) is my fourth build of RaspArch
The first version is from 150414. The second is from 151107. The third is from 160312 specially made for the new Raspberry Pi 3. This version (161205) and version 160312 of RaspArch can of course also run on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2. RaspArch is a “remaster” of Arch Linux ARM. The original compressed system is of 231 MB. After I have added the LXDE Desktop environment, PulseAudio, Firefox, Yaourt and Gimp the system increased to 700 MB. RaspArch is a “ready-to-go” ARM system. It must be installed on a Raspberry Pi 3 model B or Pi 2 computer.

NEWS in RaspArch Build 161205
A new kernel – 4.4.35-1-ARCH. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 161205. I have added support for Yaourt – a Pacman Fronted. I have also installed PulseAudio. Finally the sound works alright in RaspArch. Nice if you like YouTube. Note: To be able to install Yaourt I had to install a lot of development tools. In the first place I installed Yaourt to be able to install Google Chrome (only to learn that Google Chrome isn’t available for the ARM architecture).

More about RaspArch
When you have installed RaspArch to your Micro SD Card you can use the system like any other Arch Linux system. I.e. install new programs etc. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). RaspArch uses kernel 4.4.35-1-ARCH and the LXDE Desktop environment.

BENEFITS of Arch Linux/RaspArch
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. A member on this site recently wrote this about RaspArch: I’ve used Slackware, Debian, Gentoo, Ubuntu & Arch. I prefer Arch. Ubuntu is easier to install, Arch is easier to keep up to date. You do not go through big, painful, changes every year instead you just update, once in a while, make changes if instructed. Arch has most of the benefits of Gentoo without the pain of recompiling _everything_. When you do need to build a package in Arch its painless especially if you use one of the tools that support Aur (I like yaourt). Arch avoids the politics of Debian and Ubuntu and delivers a great Linux distribution. RaspArch now brings these advantages to the PI 2.

Study all installed packages in RaspArch

Screenshot of RaspArch’s Desktop – YouTube and PulseAudio Control running
Screenshot of RaspArch’s Desktop – YouTube and Alsamixer running

RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3/2 – Build 161019 – based on Ubuntu 16.10 with LXDE and kernel 4.4.21

Oct

2016

NEWS 161019 about RaspEX LXDE for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
I have upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel 4.1.20 with kernel 4.4.21. RaspEX Build 161019 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.6), Ubuntu Yakkety Yak (Ubuntu 16.10, released 161013) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (161019) 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, Midori Private Browser, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos) and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. Study all installed packages in RaspEX Build 161019.

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compatibility :: October 2016
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 with LXDE, RaspEX with Kodi, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Lollipop and RaspArch. I have now (161019) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

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 at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 161019 and 160426 are (of course) even faster, especially if you run the systems on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

SCREENSHOTS
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
Screenshot 4 – RaspEX running Midori Private Browser
Screenshot 5 – RaspEX using Pavucontrol (for sound)
Screenshot 6 – RaspEX running SMTube (search and watch YouTube videos)

Install RaspAnd Marshmallow 6.0.1 in Windows 10/8 very easy using Win32 Disk Imager!

Sep

2016

NEWS 160917 about RaspAnd Marshmallow 6.0.1 and Win32 Disk Imager
It is now possible to install RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160915 to a Micro SD card (preferable a class 10 card) in Windows 10. I have finally (after many months) “discovered” how to make an image file of all four (4) partitions needed to run RaspAnd. I.e. system, boot, cache and data. Just download the ZIP-file raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-install-win32diskimager-622mb-160915.zip and unzip it with 7-Zip. Then download Win32 Disk Imager (for free) and install the IMG-file raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-7400mb-160915.img to a SD card of at least 8GB. It will look like this during the installation. Be sure to install to the right place so you don’t erase important data! You can alternatively (of course) use the dd-command in a Linux system. Unzip raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-install-win32diskimager-622mb-160915.zip. Then open a terminal and run the command dd if=raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-7400mb-160915.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. Now you don’t need any special knowledge at all! (Just some basic computer knowledge).

ABOUT
RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160915 is an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. Google Play Store and other GAPPS are included. This version of RaspAnd is faster and more responsive than RaspAnd Marshmallow 601 Build 160717 and (of course) RaspAnd Lollipop Build 150924/160315. Many other apps than GAPPS are pre-installed in Build 160915. I can mention Clash of Clans, Spotify, ES File Explorer, Rotation Control Pro, Terminal Emulator, Aida64, WinZip and Vlc.

MORE ABOUT RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160915
This new version has about the same pre-installed apps and features as in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717, but it looks better, runs faster and is more responsive. Watch the slideshow below. You can run also this build (160915) using a Raspberry Pi 2 computer, but for best performance you really should use a Raspberry Pi 3. Be sure also to use a class 10 Micro SD Card.

<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20160915_1831908846081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

RaspAnd Marshmallow 6.0.1 Build 160915 for Raspberry Pi 3/2 – faster and more responsive than ever!

Sep

2016

RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160915 is an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. Google Play Store and other GAPPS are included. This version of RaspAnd is faster and more responsive than RaspAnd Marshmallow 6.0.1 Build 160717 and (of course) RaspAnd Lollipop Build 150924/160315. Many other apps than GAPPS are pre-installed in Build 160915. I can mention Clash of Clans, Spotify, ES File Explorer, Rotation Control Pro, Terminal Emulator, Aida64, WinZip and Vlc.

ABOUT RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160915
This new version has about the same pre-installed apps and features as in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717, but it looks better, runs faster and is more responsive. Watch the slideshow below. You can run also this build (160915) using a Raspberry Pi 2 computer, but for best performance you really should use a Raspberry Pi 3. Be sure also to use a class 10 Micro SD Card.

<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20160915_1831908846081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

About Aptoide App Manager and Google Play Store
I have removed Aptoide in this build (160915). I could not get Aptoide to work properly in this RaspAnd build. Google Play Store works very well though. I.e.: A lot of apps can be found and installed.

About the need to upgrade from RaspAnd Build 160717 to RaspAnd Build 160915
If you have RaspAnd Build 160717 “up and running” and everything works alright there is no real need to upgrade. I mean both versions are based on Marshmallow 6.0.1 and all included apps (GAPPS and others) gets updated all the time. RaspAnd Build 160915 runs slightly faster and looks better than Build 160717. That’s all! Note: RaspAnd Build 160717 has even one advantage over Build 160915. Namely that Aptoide App Manager is installed. Aptoide can be used to install apps not found on Google Play Store.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Google Play Store running
Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s new Desktop

RaspAnd 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 160717 (v. 3) with GAPPS, Wifi, Bluetooth and YouTube working

Jul

2016

RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717 is an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have finally managed to include Google Play Store and other GAPPS. This version of RaspAnd is faster and more responsive than RaspAnd Lollipop Build 150924/160315.

NEWS 160717 about RaspAnd Marshmallow
Build 160717 of RaspAnd Marshmallow replaces my first version from 160625 and my second build from 160711. The screen problems in build 160625 was corrected in my second build from 160711. In this third build from 160717 also YouTube works as expected.

More about the news in Build 160717
1. Build 160717 uses a new kernel – 4.4.15-exton.
2. Google Play Services has been upgraded from version 8.4.87 to 9.2.56. The latest version by 160717.
3. YouTube has been upgraded to version 1.3.11. The latest version by 160717. The video performance is far better in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 3 than in previous versions. You can watch almost all movies in YouTube with acceptable quality.
4. Clash of Clans works even better in Build 3.
5. The sound quality is excellent in Build 3. Especially is you connect loudspeakers to your Rpi. Maybe because of the new kernel…
6. Bluetooth works as expected.
7. Most important: With Google Play Services in latest version (9.2.56) you are not dependent on Google Play Store. You can install almost all GAPPS and other apps via Aptoide App Manager.

Wifi and Bluetooth support
This new version of RaspAnd has support for Wifi and Bluetooth (on Raspberry Pi 3). RaspAnd runs very well on the new Raspberry Pi 3 computer. The system runs also on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2 computer.

Installed apps
The following useful apps are pre-installed in RaspAnd Marshmallow: Google Play Services 9.2.56, Google Play Store 6.0.2, Aptoide App Manager (as an alternative to Google Play Store), Terminal Emulator, Aida64, WinZip, ES File Explorer, Rotation Control Pro, Opera 36.2.2126, Spotify 5.6.0.674, Bluetooth File Transfer, YouTube 1.3.11 and the popular (?) game Clash of Clans 8.332.14.

YouTube performance
YouTube works alright in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 3. You can watch almost all videos. I.e. normally you will hear the sound very well, but some the movies won’t play or play very slow with strange colors.

Spotify
Spotify works very well in RaspAnd Marshmallow. Just log in and play your favorite music!

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Google Play Store running

Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop

Screenshot 3 – AIDA64 showing the system

Screenshot 4 – Clash of Clans running (very well)

Screenshot 5 – Wifi connection

Screenshot 6 – Bluetooth connection

Screenshot 7 – Setting permissions for Google Play Services

Screenshot 8 – Using ES File Explorer

Screenshot 9 – Using Opera Web Browser

Screenshot 10 – Using a big TV (55″) as monitor – Home screen

Screenshot 11 – Using a big TV (55″) as monitor – Running Spotify

Screenshot 12 – Installing the app TuneIn Radio via Google Play Store

Screenshot 13 – Installing VLC 2.0.3 via Google Play Store

RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3/2 Build 160703 – based on Ubuntu 16.04 – with OpenCPN 4.4.0 pre-installed

Jul

2016

RaspEX – Build 160703 based on Ubuntu 16.04 – with OpenCPN 4.4.0 (latest version) – 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. Read about the new features in OpenCPN 4.4.0 (released 160613)…

Replacement
This build (160703) replaces build 160308. Ubuntu has been upgraded to version 16.04 and OpenCPN to version 4.4.0 – latest. Build 160703 is made especially for Raspberry Pi 3, but can also be used on Raspberry Pi 2. The Desktop environment LXDE is used. The “Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment” is an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment. LXDE uses less CPU and less RAM than other environments. It is especially designed for cloud computers with low hardware specifications, such as netbooks, mobile devices (e.g. MIDs) or older computers.

ABOUT RaspEX Build 160703
RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.5), Xenial Xerus (Ubuntu 16.04) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160703) I’ve installed OpenCPN 4.4.0 from source.

Read this OpenCPN Review….

Watch a YouTube video that shows the performance of OpenCPN on a Raspberry Pi…
NOTE: Please don’t ask me technical questions about how to use OpenCPN. I’m no expert on OpenCPN. You can search the Internet for answers. There is a lot written about OpenCPN and Raspberry Pi. The Cruisers Forum (World Cruising and Sailing Wiki) is a good starting point.

The 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi
To my great joy also this version of RaspEX work together with the 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi “out of the box”. Watch this screenshot.

Installed packages
Besides from LXDE and OpenCPN a lot of ordinary Debian/Ubuntu packages are pre-installed. I can mention Firefox, Chromium Web Browser, Synaptic Package Manager and Gimp. Study the full package list of 160703…

SCREENSHOTS
1. RaspEX Build 160703 with OpenCPN 4.4.0 running using the 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi
2. RaspEX Build 160703 with OpenCPN 4.4.0 – Boston
3. RaspEX Build 160703 with Spotify and a virtual keyboard
4. RaspEX Build 160703 showing the Desktop and Network connections
5. RaspEX Build 160703 using Samba (connection with my Windows computers in my network) running
6. OpenCPN World Map (old version of OpenCPN)
7. OpenCPN Florida – Cape Canaveral (old version of OpenCPN)
8. OpenCPN New York – Approaches to New York (old version of OpenCPN)
9. OpenCPN Stockholm Archipelago (old version of OpenCPN)

Compatibility :: July 2016
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 Lollipop, RaspAnd Marshmallow and RaspArch. I have now (160703) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

READ MORE….

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

Jun

2016

Great 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

READ MORE ABOUT RaspEX with Kodi…

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RaspAnd 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 160625 with GAPPS, Wifi and Bluetooth working

Jun

2016

RaspAnd Build 160625 is an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have finally managed to include Google Play Store and other GAPPS. This version of RaspAnd is faster and more responsive than RaspAnd Lollipop Build 150924/160315.

Wifi and Bluetooth support
This new version of RaspAnd has support for Wifi and Bluetooth (on Raspberry Pi 3). RaspAnd runs very well on the new Raspberry Pi 3 computer. The system runs also on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2 computer.

Installed apps
The following useful apps are pre-installed in RaspAnd Marshmallow: Google Play Store, Aptoide App Manager (as an alternative to Google Play Store), Terminal Emulator, Aida64, WinZip, ES File Explorer, Rotation Control Pro, Opera 36.2.2126, Spotify 5.6.0.674, Bluetooth File Transfer, YouTube and the popular (?) game Clash of Clans.

Screenshots

Screenshot 1 – Google Play Store running

Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop

Screenshot 3 – AIDA64 showing the system

Screenshot 4 – Clash of Clans running (very well)

Screenshot 5 – Wifi connection

Screenshot 6 – Bluetooth connection

Screenshot 7 – Setting permissions for Google Play Services

Screenshot 8 – Using ES File Explorer

Screenshot 9 – Using Opera Web Browser