Exton|OS Light Build 170918 :: Based on upcoming Ubuntu 17.10 with Refracta tools and kernel 4.13.0-11-exton (4.13.1)

exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 170918 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – now with Refracta tools!
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 17.10 (alias Artful Aardvark) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PCManFM (file manager), Gimp, NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers), Audacious (a small and fast audio player which supports lots of formats) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Replacement
This version of Exton|OS Light from 170918 replaces version 161021 of Exton|OS Light. Exton|OS Light is now based on Debian Stretch/Sid and Ubuntu 17.10 (to be released in October, 2017).

About
Exton|OS Light Live CD is based on Ubuntu 17.10 Artful Aardvark 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid. Exton|OS Light’s ISO file (of 1240 MB) is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to an USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my USB INSTRUCTION under B).

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at September 18, 2017. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.13.0-11-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.13.1.

Log in to Openbox
When the system has booted up you will end up in X (Openbox) as the ordinary user live. You can log out from Openbox and back again as root (“Other”) if you want. The password for root is root. When logged in as live you can become root with sudo su. The password for live when running the system live (i.e. from CD or USB) is live. In order to use the command sudo without errors (and also to be able to start Refracta Installer) you’ll have to run the commands this screenshot shows.

How to change wallpaper

Exton|OS Light and Openbox uses Nitrogen Wallpaper Manager to change desktop background. Open Nitrogen and you will see all wallpapers in /usr/share/backgrounds. Choose the one you want.

Repositories and software management
Exton|OS Light is totally compatible with Ubuntu 17.10 and therefore uses Ubuntu’s repositories. After a hard drive install of Exton|OS you can go ahead an install any extra software you like and also upgrade the whole system. After running the command apt-get update you should use Synaptic Package Manager.

USB installation
Read my INSTRUCTION. For persistence please read under B) or use UNetbootin.

Hard drive installation
I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity with Exton|OS Installer, which is a clone of Debian Live Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the hard drive installation process.Just start the installation program (Exton|OS Installer) from the menu under System and follow the instructions. Note1: When asked create a new normal user. Unfortunately this new user won’t exist when the installation is ready. You’ll have to log in to Openbox as root with the password you gave your created user. Then open up a terminal and run this command: adduser live. (I.e. if you want to run Exton|OS Light as a normal user). Note2: Be sure to name your own created user live (username). If you give your ordinary user any other name the menu in Openbox after a hard drive installation won’t work. It is sort of a “bug”. Sorry about that. Note3: The password you create for your user during the hard drive installation will be root’s new password. Note4: In Exton|OS Light Build 170918 I’ve also installed Refracta Installer. Use it as an alternative to Exton|OS Installer.

Runs from RAM

Another great thing is that Exton|OS Light can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (Copy 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 Exton|OS Light that way. Since the system is relatively small (ISO file of 1240 MB) Exton|OS Light will run really fast from RAM. Super fast I would say!

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS

Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Light Build 170918 (as well as in Exton|OS Mate Build 170609). Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 17.10 Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS Light 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 Exton|OS from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 15 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. (Or change that in /etc/refractasnapshot.conf). The whole thing is very simple. NOTE: You can (of course) use the Refracta tools in VirtualBox and/or VMware. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed. To start it you’ll have to run the commands this screenshot shows.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light running in VMware
2. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light running in VirtualBox
3. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
4. Screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
5. Screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running
6. Screenshot when Spotify is running – (install Spotify with: sudo apt-get install spotify-client)

DOWNLOAD
This version of Exton|OS has been replaced by Build 180301

Other Exton Linux Live CD/DVD’s in English you may like to download…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Oreo 8,1!

and

about my Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Nougat!

Exton|OS Build 161231 with Mate 1.6.0, Refracta Tools (build your own live Ubuntu system) and kernel 4.9.0-11-exton

NEWS 161231 ABOUT Exton|OS with Mate 1.16.0 and Refracta Tools
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.16 (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Program content in build 161231: Refracta Tools, Firefox, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Gimp, Vlc and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at December 31, 2016. Study the NEW PACKAGE list.

WHAT’S NEW in MATE 1.16?

The headline changes in MATE 1.16 are:

Improved GTK+3 support across the entire MATE Desktop.
Application and theme support for GTK+ 3.22.
More applications build against GTK+3 only:
Engrampa
MATE Notification Daemon
MATE PolKit
MATE Session Manager
MATE Terminal
Some applications have been decoupled from libmate-desktop:
Engrampa
MATE Applets
MATE Netbook
MATE Power Manager
MATE Terminal
Pluma
Work has started to port applications to GApplication or GtkApplication:
Engrampa
MATE Applets
MATE Netbook
MATE User Share
Many bugs and deprecations are fixed.
Translations are updated.

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in Exton|OS Mate Build 161231. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 16.10 Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS 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 Exton|OS 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. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

Exton|OS build 161231 is based on Ubuntu 16.10 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid (upcoming Debian 9). Exton|OS’s ISO file is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run Exton|OS from a USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my INSTRUCTION. For persistence please read under B) or use UNetbootin in Windows or Linux.

MORE NEWS 161231
A new and much better version of Exton|OS is ready. I have replaced kernel 4.5.3-exton with my special kernel 4.9.0-11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.9 – latest as of 161231. 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. With kernel 4.9 there is no real need to use Nvidia proprietary graphic drivers since this kernel has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.9?

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that Exton|OS 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 Exton|OS that way.

Desktop Environment
The Desktop Environment is Mate 1.18.0. (A fork of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems). Program content: Refracta Tools, Firefox, Gimp, Google Chrome (for Netflix), Vlc and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at December 31, 2016. Study the full package list.

Locale
The system language is English.

Log in to Mate
When you start up your computer from the dvd you will end up in X at LightDM‘s login screen. Log in as root (superuser) with password root or as the ordinary user live with password live. (During a hard drive install (using Refracta Installer) you can create your own ordinary user).

Network connections
Use Wicd to configure your network connection. You may have to change the Network Interfaces eth0 and wlan0 to eth1 respectively wlan1 or…
Check your Interfaces with the command iwconfig.

Installation to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in case) should create a partition of at least 20 GB for Exton|OS (if you want to make your own Ubuntu system) and a SWAP space double the size of your computer’s RAM. I.e. if you have RAM of 1024 MB or less. If you have RAM of 2 GB or more it’s enough with a SWAP space of 2 GB. The installation program Refracta Installer in Exton|OS is otherwise “intuitive”. Choose manual partitioning and select the partition you created in advance for installation. You’ll find the installation program under Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. NOTE 1: You should format your intended installation partition in advance. You can use GParted for that. NOTE 2: If you want to install Grub as bootloader while installing Exton|OS Mate on a not UEFI-enabled computer you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer.

Changing root’s password
If you install Exton|OS to hard drive the password for root (root) you’ll get the chance to change root’s password. The root password is otherwise changed by running the command sudo passwd root. You can log in to Mate as root if you want.

Repositories and software management
Exton|OS is totally compatible with Ubuntu 16.10 and therefore uses Ubuntu’s repositories. After a hard drive install of Exton|OS you can go ahead an install any extra software you like and also upgrade the whole system. After running the command apt-get update you should use Synaptic Package Manager.

VirtualBox and VMware
Exton|OS Mate runs very well live in VirtualBox and VMware. Exton|OS Mate has UEFI boot enabled. So to be able to run Exton|OS from a virtual hard drive in VirtualBox and VMware you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer.

Spotify
You may want to install Spotify in Exton|OS Mate. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. Follow this instruction for Ubuntu. When running Exton|OS Mate Build 161231 live or from hard drive you can just install Spotify with the command sudo apt-get install spotify-client.

USB installation
Read my INSTRUCTION.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1
of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop
Screenshot 2 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Spotify
Screenshot 3 of Exton|OS’s Mate Desktop running Refracta Snapshot

DOWNLOAD
This version of Exton|OS has been replaced by Build 180301

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

EXTON Linux

Exton|OS Light Build 161021 :: Based on Ubuntu 16.10 with kernel 4.8.0-25-exton (4.8.1)

exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 161021 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – ISO file of 970 MB
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 16.10 (alias Yakkety Yak) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PCManFM (file manager), NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers), Audacious (a small and fast audio player which supports lots of formats) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Replacement
This version of Exton|OS Light from 161021 replaces version 160728 of Exton|OS Light. Exton|OS Light is now based on Debian Stretch/Sid and Ubuntu 16.10 (released 161013).

About
Exton|OS Light Live CD is based on Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid. Exton|OS Light’s ISO file (of 970 MB!) is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to an USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my USB INSTRUCTION under B).

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at October 21, 2016. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.8.1. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system.

Log in to Openbox
When the system has booted up you will end up in X (Openbox) as the ordinary user live. You can log out from Openbox and back again as root (“Other”) if you want. The password for root is root. When logged in as live you can become root with sudo su. There is no password for live when running the system live. (I.e. from CD or USB).

How to change wallpaper
Exton|OS Light and Openbox uses Nitrogen Wallpaper Manager to change desktop background. Open Nitrogen and you will see all wallpapers in /usr/share/backgrounds. Choose the one you want.

Repositories and software management
Exton|OS Light is totally compatible with Ubuntu 16.10 and therefore uses Ubuntu’s repositories. After a hard drive install of Exton|OS you can go ahead an install any extra software you like and also upgrade the whole system. After running the command apt-get update you should use Synaptic Package Manager.

USB installation
Read my INSTRUCTION. For persistence please read under B) or use UNetbootin.

Hard drive installation
I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity with Exton|OS Installer, which is a clone of Debian Live Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the hard drive installation process.Just start the installation program (Exton|OS Installer) from the menu under System and follow the instructions. Note1: When asked create a new normal user. Unfortunately this new user won’t exist when the installation is ready. You’ll have to log in to Openbox as root with the password you gave your created user. Then open up a terminal and run this command: adduser live. (I.e. if you want to run Exton|OS Light as a normal user). Note2: Be sure to name your own created user live (username). If you give your ordinary user any other name the menu in Openbox after a hard drive installation won’t work. It is sort of a “bug”. Sorry about that. Note3: The password you create for your user during the hard drive installation will be root’s new password.

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that Exton|OS Light can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (Copy 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 Exton|OS Light that way. Since the system is relatively small (ISO file of 970 MB) Exton|OS Light will run really fast from RAM. Super fast I would say!

SCREENSHOTS
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
See a screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running
See a screenshot when Spotify is running – (install Spotify with: sudo apt-get install spotify-client)

DOWNLOAD
This version of Exton|OS has been replaced by Build 180301

Other Exton Linux Live CD/DVD’s in English you may like to download…

EXTON Linux