Tag: Refracta tools

MeX 64 bit Linux based on Ubuntu 16.04.2 with Cinnamon 3.2.8 and kernel 4.10.8 – Build 170501

May

2017

NEWS/CHANGES 170501 in MeX
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 170501 is based only on Debian 8.7 and Ubuntu 16.04.2. I have replaced the original kernel with “my” special kernel 4.10.0-19-exton (4.10.8). All packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 170501. This version of MeX uses Cinnamon 3.2.8. Linux Mint 18.1 also uses Cinnamon 3.2.8 as Desktop environment.

MORE MeX NEWS 170501
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 5 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 980 MB so MeX will run superfast 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 16.04.2 Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)! The whole “remasterprocess” is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

WHY NOT Ubuntu 17.04?
Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS (Long Term Support) is supported by Ubuntu until April 2021. Ubuntu 16.10 is supported until July 2017 and Ubuntu 17.04 until January 2018.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in MeX Build 170501) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.04.2 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install MeX 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 MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 16.04.2 system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla).

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Refracta tools running
Screenshot 2 – Spotify running (install Spotify with sudo apt-get install spotify-client)
Screenshot 3 – Cinnamon 3.2.8 Desktop with Samba
Screenshot 4 – Cinnamon 3.2.8 Desktop with Refracta2USB running
Screenshot 5 – Cinnamon 3.2.8 Desktop with SMPlayer running
Screenshot 6 – Firefox with Netflix running
Screenshot 7 – Boot screen live
Screenshot 8 – Boot screen Grub

ExLight 64 bit Linux with Enlightenment 0.20, kernel 4.9.0-11-exton and Refracta Tools (create your own Ubuntu system)

Jan

2017

WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 170105?
NOTE: Version 170105 replaces version 161016.
1. ExLight is now based on Ubuntu 16.10 (alias Yakkety Yak) and Debian Jessie/Stretch.
2. I have upgraded the Desktop environment Enlightenment (Beauty at your fingertips) to version 0.20.99.0 (from 0.19.12).
3. I have replaced kernel 4.8.0-21-exton with my special kernel 4.9.0-11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.9. If you want to use “my” kernel in another Ubuntu/Debian system you can download it.
4. ExLight’s ISO file is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can then even run ExLight from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
5. Another big improvement is that ExLight can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 4 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run ExLight that way.
6. The installation program Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s live installer) has been replaced with Refracta Installer. Very simple to use! A new user (your user) will be created during the installation process. The reason for the replacement is that Ubiquity is a bit too complicated and that the program crashes once in a while.
7. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 375.26.
8. I have added seven animated wallpapers.
9. MOST IMPORTANT: I’ve added Refracta Snapshot, which make it possible for you to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and wait 3 – 5 min until your new ISO is ready!

What’s new in kernel 4.9?

Installed packages
The Desktop Environment is Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 (Beauty at your fingertips). Kernel 4.9.0-11-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 4.9). Program content: Refracta Tools, LibreOffice, Synaptic, GParted, SMPlayer (an alternative to Vlc), Wicd, PCManFM, Google Chrome (for watching Netflix movies) and Gimp. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source. I have also included Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 375.26. It has support for the following GPUs (among others): Quadro M3000 SE, GeForce 10, GeForce 900, GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce 700, Quadro Series, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Study the full ExLight program LIST. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at January 5, 2017.

Some cool things to do in ExLight Linux…

Screenshots
ExLight – running Refracta Snapshot
ExLight running Google Chrome with Netflix
ExLight running Spotify
ExLight running Samba
ExLight running in VMware

READ MORE about ExLight…

Other Exton Linux Systems you may like
All Exton Linux Systems
Exton Systems for the Raspberry Pi computer
Exton Android Systems for PC

exton 1 Comment extonExton Linux SystemsLinux create your own live installable Ubuntu systemEnlightenment 0.20ExLightextonGPartedkernel 4.9kernel 4.9.0-11-extonLibreOfficeNvidia 375.26Refracta snapshotRefracta toolsSMPlayerSynapticUbuntu 16.10

Run Raspberry Pi PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 161223 with Refracta Tools

Dec

2016

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.

About the PIXEL Desktop
Raspbian had its biggest update ever in September, 2016, thanks to a dazzling new desktop environment called PIXEL. Raspbian with PIXEL (which stands for ‘Pi Improved Xwindow Environment, Lightweight’) is a huge software update to the desktop environment. It introduces a crisp new interface, and is brimming with new programs and features.

VirtualBox and VMware
My build/image works very well in VirtualBox and VMware. I.e. you can run the system directly from the ISO and also install it to a virtual hard drive. You can of course also make your own Debian system with the the PIXEL Desktop using Refracta snapshot (pre-installed).

KERNEL
Kernel 3.16.0-4-686-pae is used. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB.

Login and passwords
Log in to the PIXEL Desktop as the ordinary user pi or as root. The passwords are raspberrypi respectively root. When logged in as pi you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su).

Spotify
You may want to install Spotify. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. When running my PIXEL image live or from hard drive you can just install Spotify with the command sudo apt-get install spotify-client. Watch a screenshot when Spotify is running.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed) to create your own installable Debian PIXEL system once you have installed my build to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. Start Refracta from Menu >> System tools >> Refracta snapshot. You don’t even have to install my build to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian PIXEL system while running my build 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. The whole thing is very simple. NOTE: You can also do everything in VirtualBox or VMware. Use FileZilla (pre-installed) to transfer your new ISO to your server.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Spotify running
Screenshot 2 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 3 – Refracta Snapshot has started
Screenshot 4 – Refracta Installer has started in VMware

DOWNLOAD
My Debian Raspberry Pi PIXEL build 161223 for free from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.
The ISO file can also be downloaded from the Swedish Linux Society.
md5sum for debian-32bit-pae-pixel-exton-1440mb-161223.iso
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

exton 3 Comments extonExton Linux SystemsLinux Create your own Debian system with the PIXEL DesktopDebianextonLinuxPAE kernelPIXELRaspberry PiRefracta toolsSpotify

ExTiX 17.0, Build 161221, with KDE 4.16 together with KDE Frameworks 5.26.0, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.9 (latest)

Dec

2016

I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 17.0 KDE Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.4 from 160731). The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.

ABOUT
ExTiX 17.0 KDE DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.6 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.10. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.26.0 with KDE 4.16. 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
My special kernel 4.9.0-11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.9 – latest as of 161221. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip with the command unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.9?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 17.0 Build 161221 with the KDE Desktop environment and Refracta Tools
1. ExTiX KDE is based on Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak. KDE 4.16 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 161221. Kernel 4.9.0-11-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s latest kernel 4.9).
2. Google Chrome is used as Web Browser, which makes it possible to watch Netflix movies. It is not possible in Firefox (in Linux).
3. I have also installed BlueGriffon Web Editor. BlueGriffon is a new WYSIWYG content editor for the World Wide Web. Powered by Gecko, the rendering engine of Firefox, it’s a modern and robust solution to edit Web pages in conformance to the latest Web Standards. Only to be compared with Dreamweaver. (In my opinion).
4. Other included important/useful packages are: LibreOffice, Thunderbird, GParted, Brasero, SMPlayer, 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.
5. The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.

Screenshot 1 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – KDE 4.16 – Netflix running
Screenshot 2 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Synaptic running
Screenshot 3 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Samba running

DebEX LXQt (Debian Stretch) with LXQt 0.11, Refracta tools and kernel 4.9.0-9-exton (4.9.0-rc8)

Dec

2016

NEWS 161209 about DebEX LXQt – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with LXQt 0.11 (released 160924) and kernel 4.9.0-9-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest kernel 4.9-rc8) is ready. You can download “my” new kernel if you want to use it in another Debian/Ubuntu system. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 375.20 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of December 9, 2016. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian testing – Stretch – (upcoming Debian 9) and Debian unstable – Sid. I have replaced Google Chrome with Tor Browser – it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked.

What’s new in kernel 4.9?

Replacement
This version of DebEX with LXQt replaces version 161025, which used Xfce 4.12.1 as Desktop environment. Note: LXQt version 0.11 can’t be installed in Ubuntu 16.10 just yet.

About LXQt
Historically, LXQt is the product of the merge between LXDE-Qt, an initial Qt flavour of LXDE, and Razor-qt, a project aiming to develop a Qt based desktop environment with similar objectives as the current LXQt. The Razor project has merged with LXDE and is now LXQt.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in DebEX LXQt) to create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD once you have installed DebEX LXQt to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian Stretch live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian 9 system while running DebEX 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 your new ISO in /home/snapshots.

Screenshot 1 – DebEX LXQt – root’s Desktop
Screenshot 2 – DebEX LXQt – live’s Desktop

LFA 64bit LINUX Live DVD Build 161114 – Create you own Linux For All/Ubuntu 16.10 live installable system!

Nov

2016

$lfa-refracta-tools-running$ About Linux For All (LFA)
The system is based on Ubuntu 16.10, codenamed Yakkety Yak and Debian testing (Stretch – upcoming Debian 9). It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system. All installed packages have been updated to the latest version as of 161114. Kernel 4.4.0-19-exton is replaced by kernel 4.8.0-27-exton. (4.8.0-27 is the latest Ubuntu kernel). You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28. Most important: I have included Refracta Tools so you can create your own Linux For All/Ubuntu live installable system!

The system language is ENGLISH.

More news about LFA build 161114
One of my previous versions of LFA (build 141120) had four (4) Desktop environments installed. Namely Unity (Ubuntu), LXDE, Razor-qt and XBMC. LFA build 161114 uses only Fluxbox as Window Manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop Interface. Cairo-Dock is designed to be light, fast and customizable, and is desktop-agnostic. It has a powerful DBus interface, to be controlled from a terminal or another application. Features can be added by plug-ins or applets, and applets can be written in C or in any language. About Fluxbox: Fluxbox is a Window Manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code. It is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience. So who needs KDE or Gnome?

Screenshot 1: LFA’s new Desktop
Screenshot 2: Refracta Installer running
Screenshot 3: Refracta Tools running

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Tools (pre-installed in LFA Build 161114) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed LFA to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.10 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install LFA to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu live installable system while running LFA from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in LFA so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. By the way: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install LFA in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 16.10 system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server using FileZilla, which is pre-installed.

Create your own Ubuntu 16.04.1/16.10 64bit live installable system using MeX and Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

Oct

2016

NEWS/CHANGES 161030
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 161030 is based only on Debian 8.6 and Ubuntu 16.04.1. I have replaced the original kernel with “my” special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton. All packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 161030. This version of MeX uses Cinnamon 3.0.7. Linux Mint 18 also uses Cinnamon 3.0.7 as Desktop environment.

$mex-refracta-spotify-small$ MORE MeX NEWS 161030
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 5 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 1000 MB so MeX will run superfast from RAM!
3. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in MeX Build 161030) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.04 or 16.10 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install MeX 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 MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new 16.04.1/16.10 Ubuntu system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Refracta tools running
Screenshot 2 – Spotify running (install it with sudo apt-get install spotify-client)
Screenshot 3 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Samba
Screenshot 4 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Refracta2USB running
Screenshot 5 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with SMPlayer running
Screenshot 6 – Google Chrome with Netflix running
Screenshot 7 – Boot screen

DebEX Xfce4 Build 161025 – Create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

Oct

2016

$debex-refracta-start2-small$ NEWS 161025 about DebEX Xfce4 – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12.1 and kernel 4.8.0-21-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.8) is ready. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28 in this new version of DebEX Barebone. Read about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 25, 2016. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian testing – Stretch – (upcoming Debian 9) and Debian unstable – Sid. I have replaced Google Chrome with Tor Browser – it prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, it prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location, and it lets you access sites which are blocked. Announcement about Xfce 4.12, released 150228: Today, after 2 years and 10 months of work, we are pleased to announce the release of the Xfce desktop 4.12, a new stable version that supersedes Xfce 4.10. This long period can only be explained by how awesome Xfce 4.10 was. But as all things, it needed some refreshing – and for that we saw lots of new contributors providing valuable feedback, features and bugfixes. As always, Xfce follows its steady pace of evolution without revolution that seems to match our users’ needs.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in DebEX Xfce4) to create your own installable Debian Stretch Live DVD once you have installed DebEX Xfce4 to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian Stretch live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian 9 system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! I have also pre-installed VirtualBox in DebEX Xfce4 so you can test run your own created new Debian Stretch ISO.

New installed packages
I have added VirtualBox, Midori Private Browser, SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos) and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. Study all installed packages.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of the Boot menu in DebEX Xfce4 created with the Refracta tools
Screenshot of the Xfce4 Desktop in DebEX Barebone Xfce4 Build 161025