Tag: Refracta snapshot

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…

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 CalamaresCreate you own installable Ubuntu system with Refracta SnapshotextonKodi 19.4MeX LinuxRefracta snapshotUbuntu 22.04 LTS

ExTiX Deepin 22.12 Live based on Deepin 20.8 (latest) with Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.1.0-amd64-exton :: Build 221218

Dec

2022

NEWS 221218 ABOUT ExTiX Deepin
I’ve released a new version of ExTiX Deepin today (221218). This ExTiX Build is based on Deepin 20.8 released by Deepin Technology 221208. Using Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in ExTiX) you can make your own live installable Deepin 20.8 version with ExTiX 22.12 as “groundwork”.

NEW FUNCTIONS etc
1. You can run ExTiX from RAM. Use boot alternative 2 (load to RAM) or Advanced. A wonderful way to run Linux if you have enough RAM. Everything will be super fast. When ExTiX has booted up you can remove the DVD or USB stick.
2. You will have the opportunity to choose language before you enter the Deepin 20.8 Desktop. All main languages are supported.
3. I have replaced Deepin Installer with the Reborn version of Deepin Installer. Works better in every way. Watch this movie (slideshow).
4. I have replaced kernel 5.18.1-amd64-exton with kernel 6.1.0-amd64-exton. Corresponding the latest available stable kernel from Kernel.org.
5. Spotify and Skype are pre-installed.
6. You can watch Netflix while running Firefox.
7. You can install ExTiX Deepin also in VirtualBox/VMware using Refracta Installer or Deepin Installer. (In previous versions you had to “chroot” into the install partition and install Grub).
8. Install ExTiX to a USB stick preferably with Rufus or Ventoy in Windows – see below how it looks when I’ve used Ventoy.
9. In version 221218 I’ve also included Refracta Installer. Use it in VirtualBox if you want to have an exact copy of ExTiX Deepin installed. You don’t have to “chroot” to install Grub. Just choose to “Copy Grub files” when asked to. Watch this movie (slideshow).
NOTE1: If you want to remaster ExTiX Deepin you should use Refracta Installer. Using Deepin Installer some necessary packages (including Deepin Installer and Refracta Snapshot) will be removed during the installation process.
NOTE2: You can remaster (i.e. make your own live installable Deepin version) of ExTiX while running ExTiX live (i.e. from a USB stick or a DVD) if your computer has plenty of RAM. I could do that on a computer with 32GB RAM. I then started ExTiX live from RAM.
10. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. With those installed you can run ExTiX in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot.

UNIQUE
I may add that there is no other live version of Deepin 20.8.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX running in full screen in VirtualBox (VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed)
2. ExTiX Deepin 20.8 Desktop
3. ExTiX 22.12 is running in VMware
4. Showing Deepin App Store
5. Showing Deepin Control Center
6. ExTiX running in Qemu in Linux (Ubuntu). NOTE: ExTiX Deepin (and other Linux systems) runs very fast in Qemu (in Linux). Qemu is a generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer. Superior to VirtualBox…

Please read (and watch) a full enthusiastic review of ExTiX 22.12…

SlackEX (Slackware 15.0) live with LXQt 1.2 (latest), Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.0.10-amd64-exton :: Build 221214

Dec

2022

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 DVD, 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 221214 ABOUT SlackEX 15.0 with LXQt 1.2
Because I like Slackware so much I’ve made a new extra version of SlackEX 15.0. This time with LXQt 1.2 (latest version, released 221105) 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. LXQt is not included in Slackware’s repositories. I’ve built the LXQt 1.2 packages following the instructions at Gitlab.com. I.e. I’ve used a script made by lancsuk. If you already have Slackware/SlackEX installed to hard drive you can do the same. (If you want LXQt). It’s very easy if you have KDE installed. Otherwise you’ll have to install some KDE/LXQt dependencies. Not that difficult though. So SlackEX Build 221214 is a live remaster of Slackware 15.0 stable. It was released 220203. You can install SlackEX to hard drive and also use Refracta Snapshot for creating your very own live installable Slackware 15.0 system. Kernel 6.0.10-amd64-exton-rt14 is used. You can (of course) install Slackware’s latest kernel 5.19 if you want. But to be able to create your own Slackware 15.0 system you will have to use (boot up with) kernel 6.0.10-amd64-exton-rt14. Study all pre-installed packages in Build 221214.
NOTE1: You’ll run SlackEX Build 221214 as root or as the ordinary user user. The password for root is root. The password for user is live.
NOTE2: You can run SlackEX Build 221214 on UEFI and non-UEFI computers. You can also run SlackEX live super fast from RAM.
NOTE3: VirtualBox Guest Additions and are pre-installed, which means that you can run SlackEX in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot…

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – root’s Desktop when Refracta Snapshot has started – LXQt
Screenshot 2 – user’s Desktop – LXQt
Screenshot 3 – SlackEX running in full screen in VirtualBox
Screenshot 4 – Showing chroot/grub during a hard drive installation

SlackEX (Slackware 15.0) with Enlightenment 0.25.4, Xfce 4.16.1, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.0.10-exton :: Build 221210

Dec

2022

NEWS ABOUT SlackEX 15.0 stable Build 221210 with the Enlightenment 0.25.4 and Xfce 4.16.1 Desktops
A new extra version of SlackEX is ready. It is based on Slackware 15.0 stable released 220203. In this version I’ve installed Enlightenment 0.25.4 (latest version) and Xfce4. I’ve also replaced kernel 5.16.0-exton with kernel 6.0.10-amd64-exton-rt14. This version of SlackEX is unique. You can’t find another Linux system with the latest Enlightenment version. (Except for ExLight). When installing version 0.25.4 in SlackEX I had to do it from source. The whole thing was very time consuming since a lot of dependencies had to be satisfied. The most important package installed is Refracta Snapshot. With that you can build your own Slackware distribution with Enlightenment 0.25.4. When a new version of Enlightenment is ready you too should be able to install it from source. Xfce4 is one of Slackware’s official Desktop environments. The other one is KDE. You can easily switch from Enlightenment to Xfce4 by editing /root/.xinitrc. Then log out and back again. That can of course also be done when running SlackEX live. (From a DVD or a USB stick). This Build of SlackEX replaces version 220117.
NOTE1: You’ll run SlackEX Build 221210 as root. The password for root is root. If you don’t like to run a Linux system as root you can create a “normal” user. Watch this screenshot.
NOTE2: You can’t login to Enlightenment 0.25.4 if you use older computers. It’s the same problem as in ExLight. You’ll have to use a fairly new computer if you want to see the Enlightenment Desktop. If you can’t login to Enlightenment (because your computer is too old) you can always switch to Xfce4. Press Ctrl Alt F1 simultaneously. Then edit .xinitrc with Nano. Command: nano .xinitrc. After that run the command startx and you will enter the Xfce4 Desktop.
NOTE3: You can run SlackEX Build 221210 on UEFI and non-Uefi computers. You can also run SlackEX live super fast from RAM.
NOTE4: VirtualBox Guest Additions and are pre-installed, which means that you can run SlackEX in full screen in VirtualBox.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – root’s Desktop – Enlightenment 0.25.4
Screenshot 2 – root’s Desktop with Xfce4 as DE
Screenshot 3 – SlackEX running in full screen in VirtualBox

ExLight 64bit UEFI, Build 221130, based on Debian “Sid” (unstable/development) with Enlightenment 0.25.4 (latest) as DE, Refracta Snapshot and Calamares Installer

Nov

2022

NEWS 221130 ABOUT ExLight
I’ve made a new version of ExLight with the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop environment, Refracta Snapshot (create your own Debian Sid System) and Calamares 3.2.61-1 Installer Framework. The very nice Enlightenment theme e25 Neonz is used.

New sources 221130
This new version of ExLight is based on Debian Sid (unstable/development). Build 221130 is a total rebuild of ExLight. The ISO file size is of only 1850 MB, which means that you’ll need about 3GB RAM to run ExLight even faster from RAM. I.e. load to RAM – screenshot. You can remove the DVD or USB stick when ExLight has booted.

KERNEL
ExLight Build 221130 uses kernel 6.0.10-amd64-exton-rt14 built from Debian kernel sources with Debian patches.

What’s new in kernel 6.0?

Installed packages
Study all installed packages in ExLight Build 221130.

THE REAL McCoy
ExLight is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian Sid. So is ExLight.

KNOWN ISSUE
You can’t login to the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop unless you use a “fairly new” computer. Not older that about eight (8) years according to my experience. Read more about the problem…

DebEX KDE Plasma, Build 221115, based on Debian Sid/Bookworm with kernel 6.0.6-amd64-exton and Refracta Snapshot

Nov

2022

NEWS 221115 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new extra version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD – efi. It’s a pure Debian 12 (Sid/upcoming Bookworm) system. (unstable). I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE Plasma Sid uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5.26.3 – latest version, released 221108 – as Desktop environment. Kernel 6.0.6-amd64-exton-rt14 is used. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 221115. DebEX KDE Build 221115 works in the same way as DebEX KDE Build 220926 – see this INFO. I have kept DebEX Build 220926 since it is based on Debian 11 (stable). In Build 221115 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) 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

LFA (Linux For All) 64bit Live DVD Build 221008 with kernel 6.0.0-amd64-exton :: Create you own LFA/Ubuntu installable 22.04.1 LTS system!

Oct

2022

Linux For All (LFA) Build 221008 with Gnome 42.4
is a simple remaster of Ubuntu 22.04, code-named Jammy Jellyfish. It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system. NOTE: Ubuntu 22.04 will be supported until April 2027.

NEWS ABOUT LFA Build 221008
1. All packages the ordinary Linux user can wish for are pre-installed. Study the full packages list.
2. Kernel 6.0.0-amd64-exton (with Debian patches) is used. You can of course switch to Ubuntu’s original kernel if you prefer.
3. The Desktop environment is Gnome 42.4. (Ubuntu’s original DE).
4. The main Web Browser is Firefox. So you can watch Netflix!
5. I have included Refracta tools (Refracta Snapshot) to make it possible for you to create your own installable Ubuntu 22.04.1 Live DVD once you have installed LFA to hard drive.
6. You can run LFA fast in RAM. Use boot alternative 2 Load to RAM – see below. The LFA ISO file is of only 1490 MB to be compared with Ubuntu’s original ISO of 2900 MB.
7. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed , which means (among other things) that you can run LFA in VirtualBox in full screen. Watch this screenshot.

What’s new in kernel 6.0?

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Installing Grub using Refracta Installer
Screenshot 2 – Running Samba to reach Windows computers
Screenshot 3 – Refracta Installer has started
Screenshot 4 – Running Refracta Installer and keeping the user account
Screenshot 5 – Running in full screen in VirtualBox

DebEX KDE Plasma, Build 220929, with kernel 6.0.0-rc6-exton and Refracta Snapshot

Sep

2022

NEWS 220929 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made a new version of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD – efi. It replaces version 211023. It’s a pure Debian 11 system. (Stable). I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE Plasma uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5.20.5 as Desktop environment. Kernel 6.0.0-rc6-exton is used. I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox-ESR/Iceweasel 102.3 (for Netflix). I’ve also added SMPlayer – an alternative to Vlc. (SMPlayer is a free media player for Windows and Linux with built-in codecs that can play virtually all video and audio formats. It doesn’t need any external codecs. Just install SMPlayer and you’ll be able to play all formats without the hassle to find and install codec packs). All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version of 220929. Study the full package list.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES
A) I’ve installed the full KDE Plasma Desktop using the command sudo apt install task-kde-desktop. In order to save space I have removed LibreOffice with the command sudo apt remove libreoffice*
B) I have added Calamares 3.2.36.1 Installer Framework. Now you can choose language when the installation starts. When it’s ready everything will be in your chosen language! You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers if you follow my INSTRUCTION for non-efi computers. Or don’t do that. Just start Calamares and choose to install Grub in MBR. It works very well!
NOTE: You can also use Refracta Installer. Preferably in VirtualBox/VMware. NOTE ALSO: When running DebEX KDE in VirtualBox you can do it in full screen since VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

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. So is DebEX.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The ordinary user Desktop
2. Root’s Desktop
3. Running DebEX in full screen in VirtualBox

ExTiX 22.9 KDE Plasma together with Anbox (“Android in a Box” with Google Play Store pre-installed) :: Build 220922

Sep

2022

ABOUT ExTiX 22.9 – Build 220922
I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 22.9 KDE Anbox Live DVD. (The previous KDE/Anbox version was 21.10 from 211007). I have now included Anbox (Android in a Box – Anbox puts the Android operating system into a container, abstracts hardware access and integrates core system services into a GNU/Linux system. Every Android application will be integrated with your operating system like any other native application). So now you can run Android apps in ExTiX. GAPPS (Google Play Services and Google Play Store) are pre-installed in ExTiX 22.9. The second best thing with ExTiX 22.9 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/Anbox system. So easy that a ten year child can do it!

ExTiX 22.9 KDE Plasma DVD 64 bit is based on Debian and Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.92.0 with KDE Plasma 5.24.6. 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
Ubuntu’s latest original kernel 5.15.0-47 with binder and ashmem kernel modules needed by Anbox.

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 22.9 Build 220922 with the KDE Plasma Desktop environment together with Anbox (Android in a Box), Refracta Installer and Refracta Snapshot
1. ExTiX KDE Plasma is based on Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS Jammy Jellyfish. KDE Plasma is used as Desktop environment together with Anbox (Android in a Box). All packages have been updated to the latest version by 220922.
2. I have pre-installed Anbox (Android in a Box) with Google Play Store. So GAPPS (Google Play Services and Google Play Store) are pre-installed in this version of ExTiX. Anbox won’t run live (from a DVD or a USB stick) or in VirtualBox. You will get this error message. That’s because VirtualBox as of yet does NOT support nested virtualization. In this version of ExTiX KDE/Anbox you can run the YouTube app with good video and sound quality. Not with the very best quality, but…
IMPORTANT NOTE: On some computers you may not be able to start Anbox from the menu. If that is the case you shall open up a terminal and run the following two commands:
snap disable anbox && snap enable anbox FOLLOWED by:
EGL_PLATFORM=x11 anbox.appmgr
Or maybe this command on certain computers: DRI_PRIME=1 anbox.appmgr
3. Other included important/useful packages are: GParted 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. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means (among other things) that you can run ExTiX 22.9 in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot.
5. The second best thing with ExTiX 22.9 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.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX Desktop with Anbox running 220922
2. Login to Google Play Store
3. Anbox with Google Play Store running
4. A chess game running in Anbox
5. Anbox running in full screen
6. Spotify is running in Anbox
7. ExTiX 22.9 running in full screen in VirtualBox

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 1 Comment extonExton Linux Systems AnboxAndroid in a BoxCreate you own installable Ubuntu system with Refracta SnapshotExTiX 22.9ExTiX KDE with AnboxextonKDEKDE Frameworks 5.92.0KDE Plasma 5.24.6Refracta snapshotUbuntu 22.04.1 LTS

ExTiX 22.8 – “The Ultimate Linux System” – based on Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS with LXQt 0.17, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 5.19.0-amd64-exton :: Build 220814

Aug

2022

ExTiX 22.8 LXQt – Build 220814
I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 22.8 LXQt Live DVD. (The previous LXQt version was 21.11 from 211030). ExTiX 22.8 is based on Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)! Ubuntu 22.04 will be supported until 2027. The best thing with ExTiX 22.8 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 1820 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 22.8 LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed LXQt 0.17. 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.

The system language is ENGLISH.

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX LXQt – root’s Desktop
2. ExTiX LXQt – live’s Desktop
3. WiFi connection
4. ExTiX 22.8 running in full screen in VirtualBox