C A Exton 2024                  

About DebEX Barebone Gnome and DebEX KDE Plasma Linux - 64 bit - and DSL-e and DebEX LXQt - 32 bit

Four systems/distributions are based on Debian Sid (unstable). DSL-e is based on Debian 12 (bookworm), antiX and DSL 2024 rc3. Gnome 46 is used in DebEX Gnome Build 240426. KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27.10 is used in DebEX KDE 240429. LXQt 1.4  is used in DebEX Build 240423 - 32 bit. LXDE is used in DSL-e Build 240417 - 32 bit. The system language is English (in all four versions of DebEX).

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

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NEWS 240429 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 Sid/Trixie System. There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved in DebEX. DebEX KDE Plasma Sid uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5.27.10 - latest version, released 231205 - as Desktop environment. Kernel 6.9.0-rc5-amd64-exton is used. All included packages have been updated to the latest version as of 240429.

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

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Desktop for the ordinary user user
2. Running in full screen in VirtualBox

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES in DebEX KDE: 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 3.3.6-1 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. It works very well! NOTE1: 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.
NOTE2: If you want an exact copy of DebEX KDE you shall use Refracta Installer when installing to hard drive. Preferably in VirtualBox/VMware. When the program asks what to do about Grub you shall choose to "Copy Grub packages to /target and install bootloader". Watch this screenshot...

When using Calamares for the installation to hard drive the following problems may occur:
1. NO_PUBKEY/GPG error. Read this fix - screenshot...
2. Error "Release file is not yet valid". Read this fix - screenshot...
3. Calamares fails to install Grub in VirtualBox/VMware - screenshot...
Fix: Follow my INSTRUCTION for non-efi computers
4. The password for the normal user user will be gone after the installation. Fix: Log in to the KDE Desktop as your created user during the installation. Su to root and create a new password for user with the command passwd user - screenshot...

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NEWS 240426 about DebEX Gnome - a Refracta efi Build
I have made a new extra version of DebEX, which I call DebEX Gnome Live System. It's a pure Debian system using the testing (Trixie) and unstable (Sid) repositories. Gnome 46 is used as Desktop Environment. I have removed the Mate Desktop, since Gnome now can be used on all kind of computers. Also when running DebEX Gnome in VirtualBox and VMware. No need for Nvidia's proprietary graphics drivers when running this new version of DebEX. You can of course install such drivers if you want to. Furthermore I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox ESR. It is now possible to watch Netflix movies using Firefox ESR in Linux. I have also replaced Refracta Installer with Calamares Installer, which makes it possible to install DebEX Gnome in any language. You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware - i.e. non-efi computers. All installed packages have been updated to the latest version as of 240426. DebEX Gnome uses kernel 6.9.0-rc5-amd64-exton.
Note1: Refracta Installer is not really "replaced" by Calamares. You should use Refracta Installer in VirtualBox/VMware. If you do you don't have to chroot to be able to install Grub.
Note2: VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means that you can run DebEX Gnome in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot...

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NEWS 240423 about DebEX LXQt 32 bit Build 240423
I've made a new DebEX system for older computers. It uses LXQt 1.4  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 1610 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!
Study all installed packages in Build 240423...
NOTE1: This version of DebEX is based on Debian sid/trixie. Trixie (Debian 13) will replace Bookworm (Debian 12).
NOTE2: VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means that you can run DebEX LXQt in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot...
NOTE3: You can't watch Netflix in this version of DebEX: That's because Google no longer support Widevine on 32 bit systems.
NOTE4:  I've arranged so that you can run DebEX LXQt also on UEFI computers. I.e. you can boot the System both in UEFI and Legacy mode.

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NEWS 240417 ABOUT DSL-e
I've made a remaster of Damn Small Linux 2024 rc3- 32 bit. My first remaster of DSL 2024 is from 240207. The New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution tailored for low-spec x86 computers. It packs a lot of applications into a small package. All the applications are chosen for their functionality, small size, and low dependencies. DSL 2024 also has many text-based applications that make it handy to use in a term window or TTY.

The original DSL was of 50MB many years ago. DSL 2024 is of 700MB. The reason for that: A 50MB distribution, was a lot of fun and one of the things I am most proud of as a personal accomplishment. However, as a concept, it was in the right place at the right time, and the computer industry has changed a lot since then. While it would be possible to make a bootable Xwindows 50MB distribution today, it would be missing many drivers and have only a handful of very rudimentary applications. People would find such a distribution a fun toy or something to build upon, but it would not be usable for the average computer user out of the gate.

MOVIE about Calamares Installer
Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process in VirtualBox.

What s new in kernel 6.9?

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta Snapshot it will look like this. You don t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. On one of my computers with 32GB RAM the Refracta process was done in 10 minutes! So please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 - 50 min! You'll find the ISO in /home/snapshot.

Runs from RAM
All four systems can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (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 DebEX from RAM. I.e. super fast! It's absolutely the best way to enjoy a Linux live system. Especially if it is a "big" system and you have lots of RAM.

KERNELS
DebEX KDE and DebEX Gnome uses kernel 6.9.0-rc5-amd64-exton. DebEX LXQt 32bit uses kernel 6.7.9-686-pae. DSL-e uses kernel 6.6.15-exton.

Program content etc
As the name suggests, DebEX Barebone has only a minimum of software installed in advance. Among them LXTerminal, SMPlayer, SMTube, PCManFM, Leafpad, NetworkManager, Firefox, Thunderbird, GParted, AlsaPlayer and Synaptic. In my extra version of DebEX from 240426 (DebEX Gnome) I have installed Gnome 46. In version 240429 of DebEX I have added all common Plasma/KDE packages. All programs have been updated to the latest available version as of the release date. I will give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages YOU need after a hard disk installation of DebEX Barebone/LXQt/Gnome/KDE. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from CD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the systems live.

Software management
DebEX (all four versions) uses Apt (apt-get) and Synaptic.

Wireless connections
All four versions of DebEX use NetworkManager. It works extremely well. Just give your password and connect!

LOGIN and passwords
After booting up DebEX (built with Refracta) from DVD/USB stick you'll end up in LXQt/Plasma/Gnome as the ordinary user user. The password for user is live. The password for root is root. After the installation of DebEX to hard disk you'll get the chance to create your own ordinary user. When logged in as user you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su). Note1: After a hard drive installation of DebEX you can still log in as root. Note2: You may have to create a new password for root first. This is done with the command passwd root.

VirtualBox and VMware
DebEX Gnome, DebEX LXQt and KDE/Plasma run very well in VirtualBox and VMware. Instruction about how to use the Calamares Installer when running DebEX KDE Plasma in VirtualBox or VMware. As regards DebEX KDE Build 240429 and DebEX Gnome Build 240426 you can just use Calamares without problems. I.e. no need to chroot.

Install DebEX to hard drive
It's now very easy to install DebEX (all four versions) to hard drive. Just follow the installer instructions. You'll have to use Boot alternative 1 - default then. You can (if you want) use Grub2 as boot loader. If you already are using Grub2 or Grub Legacy as bootloader you can skip this part of the installation.  IMPORTANT: DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE/Plasma Build uses Calamares Installer Framework. Now you can choose language when the installation starts. When it's ready everything will be in your chosen language! Watch a YouTube video about running Calamares in ArchEX. Calamares works in the same way in DebEX. For more info about how to perform the installation read my Instruction. And/or Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process of DebEX KDE Build in VirtualBox. Note1: DebEX LXQt Build 240423 uses Refracta Installer. It works very well too. Note2: When installing the DebEX UEFI versions on non-UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware) the Grub boot loader installation may fail. You will then see this error message. That can be fixed by "chrooting" into the installation partition and install Grub. Read this instruction. NOTE: In DebEX KDE Build 240429 using Calamares you don't have to chroot.

Transfer/Install DebEX Gnome/KDE to a USB stick
Please read my INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS. 

Printing using Cups
It s really very simple to install a printer in DebEX/Debian. First you have to install Cups (Common UNIX Printing System). Do it in Synaptic or use the command sudo apt-get install cups. Then open up Firefox and go to https://localhost:631/admin. See below a screenshot showing when I added my local printer HP Photosmart Wireless in DebEX KDE/Plasma.

Screenshot of Cups start page in Google Chrome.

Spotify
You can easily install Spotify in DebEX (even while running the system live). Just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install spotify-client.

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 Sid. So is DebEX.

Rolling distribution
Debian/DebEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world). This means, for example, that you can go on and install Gnome or/and KDE in DebEX Barebone/KDE.

DOWNLOAD

DSL-e, DebEX Barebone LXQt, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE/Plasma Linux Live Systems can be downloaded from SourceForge.net - Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.

The DebEX KDE ISO file (debex-64bit-sid-plasma-refracta-calamares-lure-2930mb-231030.iso) can also be downloaded from the Swedish Linux Society.

md5sum for DebEX Barebone LXQt 32bit ISO, which is of 1610 MB.

md5sum for DebEX Gnome ISO, which is of 1680 MB.

md5sum for DebEX KDE unstable (sid/trixie) efi ISO, which is of 2910 MB.

md5sum for DSL-e 32 bit ISO, which is of 1100 MB.

Other EXTON Linux Live systems in English you may like...

Almost all Exton Linux distributions are hosted by The Swedish Linux Society. Sixteen (16) exton distributions can also be downloaded from SourceForge.net - Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.

READ MORE ABOUT each distribution...

EXTON LINUX

Other considerations

Disclaimer: This is experimental software. Use at your own risk. Under no circumstances may C A Exton or exton.net/exton.se be held liable for damage to hardware or software, lost data or other damage either direct or indirect caused by using this software.

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Screenshot of the LXQt Desktop in DebEX Barebone LXQt

Screenshot of the Gnome user Desktop in version 240426 of DebEX Gnome

Screenshot of user's Desktop in version 240429 of DebEX KDE

Screenshot showing how Alsamixer should be set

Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process of DebEX KDE in VirtualBox

Screenshot DSL-e's Desktop running Synaptic

Screenshot of DSL-e running VLC


EXTON distributions: The number of Exton distributions has decreased from 66 (all time high in June 2011) to 16. See a complete LIST. It was a bit too much for me to keep 66 distributions up to date. All Exton distributions on the Swedish Linux Society's FTP Server can be reached HERE. All exton distributions in English (English locale) can also be downloaded from SourceForge.net.


UPGRADE Debian
If you install DebEX Barebone/Gnome/KDE to hard disk you will always get the latest Debian packages if you run the following commands: sudo apt update and then sudo apt upgrade.


ABOUT wireless configurations
DebEX uses NetworkManager. It works extremely well. Just give your Network password and connect.