 DistroWatch Weekly |
| Tip Jar |
If you've enjoyed this week's issue of DistroWatch Weekly, please consider sending us a tip.
(Tips this week: 0, value: US$0.00) |
|
|
|
 bc1qxes3k2wq3uqzr074tkwwjmwfe63z70gwzfu4lx  lnurl1dp68gurn8ghj7ampd3kx2ar0veekzar0wd5xjtnrdakj7tnhv4kxctttdehhwm30d3h82unvwqhhxarpw3jkc7tzw4ex6cfexyfua2nr  86fA3qPTeQtNb2k1vLwEQaAp3XxkvvvXt69gSG5LGunXXikK9koPWZaRQgfFPBPWhMgXjPjccy9LA9xRFchPWQAnPvxh5Le paypal.me/distrowatchweekly • patreon.com/distrowatch |
|
| Extended Lifecycle Support by TuxCare |
|
|
| Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Point Linux review (by brad on 2015-08-03 01:06:47 GMT from North America)
I like the structural elements incorporated in this week's review (the Quick Facts and Hardware Used tables). Well done (and no disrespect to you, Jesse).
For a future DW topic, could someone explore (in some depth) the method(s) used for installing a bootloader to an EFI partition, to allow for distros that don't support EFI/UEFI installation? I'm somewhat of a noob, and I've not investigated distros that lack this kind of support. I use refind, but I find Rod Smith's explanations and amplifications too obtuse for my simple mind.
2 • Survey (by Somewhat Reticent on 2015-08-03 01:20:06 GMT from North America)
Not a multiple-choice poll? Really?
3 • Survey (by brad on 2015-08-03 01:29:42 GMT from North America)
I've donated money to LinuxMint, and I occasionally participate in the forums, if I think I can help.
4 • Poll (by Gustavo on 2015-08-03 01:38:00 GMT from South America)
"Supporting other users:"
I've installed Linux on about a dozen machines from friends and relatives. I always use Xfce with panel on bottom and Ubuntu base (previously Xubuntu and now using LinuxMint Xfce).
Almost everyone finds Linux much better than Windows and won't go back, and most are running Linux for more than a couple of years.
A single day or two is enought to then to notice how much better their system run with Linux.
I think the only reason people don´t use Linux more is because they don´t know it or don´t have someone to configure their system.
5 • Nice Review of Point (by Lefty on 2015-08-03 02:25:22 GMT from North America)
@Brooke
Really nice review. I liked the Quick Facts and Hardware listing. Might be nice to adopt for other reviews as well.
6 • Contributing (by lashley on 2015-08-03 02:37:49 GMT from North America)
Contributing in some form is important if you are a Linux user, the developer could always use a monetary thank you to help with hosting, etc. Small amounts add up, and help keep the free software coming. Contributing in some fashion, or form either by writing script, code, or offering artistic abilities on the forums or websites makes Linux great. I do contribute in more than one way, but also contribute funds to opensource applications, and distros that I run, if I keep it more than a few weeks, I will always send a few buck if they got a donate button. Linux doesn't happen by accident, a lot of very dedicated people, numbering in the tens of thousands donate to put a distro on your laptop or desktop machine, and other devices. I say contribute, even if it is a small amount. What would be your alternative? Support Linux.
7 • donate (by DJ on 2015-08-03 03:13:21 GMT from North America)
I tend to donate money to whichever Linux is my main fallback. I figure i used to pay to upgrade Windows. Why not donate to Linux projects?
8 • Opinion poll (by Fernando on 2015-08-03 03:34:11 GMT from South America)
"Other" -I contribute where whatever the projects need (manuals, web site, interfaces, etc).
9 • poll (by Bill S on 2015-08-03 03:54:15 GMT from North America)
We should have been able to choose more than 1.
Since I started with Linux about 4 years ago now, I have donated to 7 different distros. I also donated to gparted and DW and others. I have helped in some forums, and I have submitted bug reports and tested solutions. I love my Linux and open source.
10 • To brad (comment #1) (by Ron M on 2015-08-03 04:08:00 GMT from North America)
Try Rufus (https://rufus.akeo.ie). It will create a bootable EFI CD, DVD or USB memory stick you can use to install non EFI distro in UEFI environment.
Download Rufus, no installation needed. Put USB memory stick in your computer, start Rufus, point it to Point Linux.iso and make sure you check EFI boot in options. After a while you will have your distro ready to use or install on EFI computer. You can do it in Windows (XP or later, 32 or 64 bit).
11 • the quote from Ubuntu Mate dev (by robert on 2015-08-03 04:24:39 GMT from North America)
I do applaud the change away from Software Centre, but what's with the arrogant(?) tone in the dev's quote? WE have something in mind as a replacement but no, you peon users aren't privy to that info.
12 • Re 1: UEFI boot laoder (by hobbitland on 2015-08-03 05:35:35 GMT from Europe)
Actually I use the Ubuntu 13.10 signed UEFI boot loader and GRUB 2.00 to boot Debian 7 & 8. Both from HDD and remastered Debianlive USB stick. I have never ever got Debian 7/8 UEFI to boot correctly on any of my 4 UEFI systems.
Using Ubuntu's boot loader allows me to boot correctly on all my systems both when installed on HDD and from live USB stick. Actually, I remastered Debianlive ISO to support isolinux, syslinux & UEFI booting. Debian UEFI still does not work properly.
13 • Poll’s options (by SuperOscar on 2015-08-03 06:56:11 GMT from Europe)
I wonder why localisation/internationalisation is not mentioned as an independent option in the poll. I would think that’s one of main ways for anyone to contribute in FOSS development?
14 • Point Linux (by Sondar on 2015-08-03 07:13:14 GMT from Europe)
Good review. Brook's email handle wasn't appended and didn't care to register through his website.
Based on DWW readers' stated preferences, surprised that the reviewer didn't choose the Xfce version, which is also somewhat slimmer. Not sure why he bangs on about EFI/UEFI and 32 vs. 64bit, either. Most folks on this page are adept, have older kit available for testing, and understand that a 32bit install is entirely acceptable - even on a 64bit machine! Most distro-surfers also prefer AMD technology - don't they? One attraction of Linux is to abandon the WIntel cartel, isn't it? Good to see a distro from the nation with the best chess players!
15 • The Three S' that Make Linux Superior to Windows (by Scott Slayton on 2015-08-03 07:47:04 GMT from Planet Mars)
First off, I am the guy who left Windows for Linux, then went back again. Last week I told everyone that I was forced to install Linux on my third computer, because Windows 10 Beta expired. Since then, I was able to buy a legal copy of Windows Vista on sale for it. Now, I am totally Windows on all my computers and laptops.
To the subject at hand. I believe Linux is superior to Windows in three areas. It is superior in Speed, Stability, and Security (the three S'). Even with Windows 10 can't match what I've witnessed in Linux (Windows 10 is faster than its predecessors). Windows hiccups too much (if you don't see, you are blind), slowing down at times, even with new installs. Windows crashes 10 times more than Linux (I made that up, but I think it is true). Windows relies on Security software for protection while Linux (minus Wine kind of software) does not need protection (unless amateurly handled).
I am not a Linux preacher. I am sure someone could reply with better facts, but I have covered some basics here without swamping anyone with detail.
I switch from Linux to Windows, because Windows has much more variety of software. No longer do I find software I can't use, because I am stuck with Linux. I have converted to Windows. Windows dominates Linux in software availability.
One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. But, when, I don't know.
16 • applications availability (by Dave Postles on 2015-08-03 08:21:57 GMT from Europe)
Obviously needs are different, but I find that I have all the applications that I need available in OpenSource packages running on Linux:
QGIS;
gretl;
R (but now not Rcommander);
LyX;
clamtk;
socnetv;
and, of course, LibreOffice.
The beauty of Linux is that I am not forced to have one kind of DE.
17 • The right hardware (by ou_ryperd on 2015-08-03 08:22:16 GMT from Africa)
"Even a user new to Linux with the right hardware and without a dual boot requirement could easily install Point Linux."
What is the "right hardware" ?
18 • Missing option (by ferri on 2015-08-03 08:40:31 GMT from Europe)
There is missing very important activity - translating/localisation of software into other languages in Opinion poll section.
19 • Opinion poll (by Charles on 2015-08-03 08:58:14 GMT from Europe)
Primarily, I help out in the Arch Wiki where I'm able so I chose documentation. I do agree with @2 though - this should have been a multiple choice poll.
20 • I just don't get it (by lupus on 2015-08-03 10:08:50 GMT from Europe)
@15
I think you have your facts straight but why in hell buy vista for an obviously older machine that will at least in the nearer future not work.
A few years back I began to change my older machines to Linux for the S-reasons you mentioned. I was intrigued cause I found out that my just replaced machine worked faster and more reliable under Linux than it ever did under Windows and even better than the newest Window machine I just got. Since then I never bothered to look back till last wednesday when ill advised me decided to give win10 a try!
On both machines I had to get win 8.1 up tu snuff you can imagine how much fun that was. This however is totally my fault for don't keeping windows up to date.
After a long days work finally both machines started windows 10 and I have to admit it is very pretty and the Desktop environment was consistent...... BUT....
then it hit me Driver that were installed didn't work ootb, Reeinstalling them sometimes took 2 reboots. My ISP USB Stick wasn't detected as network device so I had to WLAN into it (oh my god) and every piece of Software I install is to be updated by me on a regular basis some reboots included....
To sum it up... another day wasted in microsoft country
If you are a gamer it indeed does make sense to keep your most up to date equipment running windows cause gaming I get but other I don't can't won't unsderstand you ever
Bye lupus
21 • @15 (by Charles on 2015-08-03 10:16:55 GMT from Europe)
"Last week I told everyone that I was forced to install Linux on my third computer, because Windows 10 Beta expired."
I think the preview versions also have a free upgrade path to Windows 10 just so long as you're a member of the Windows Insider Program (which is free to join).
22 • @11 -- Arrogance? What Arrogance? (by joncr on 2015-08-03 11:31:00 GMT from North America)
It's not arrogant for Wimpress to avoid publicizing what Software Center replacement they "have in mind". They obviously have not made a final decision, but are leaning to one. That's what "have in mind" suggests.
As soon as they publicize any choice, they'll be pestered by people complaining about one thing or another,
The "community" needs to get beyond this notion that engineering decisions should be made by vote, and that users get a vote. What users get to do is decide not to use software they don't like.
23 • @15 and @21 -- Wind10 Preview Do Not Expire (by joncr on 2015-08-03 11:42:40 GMT from North America)
Yes, legitimate Win10 Insider Preview installations did not "expire" on 29 July. To be legitimate, the user needs to be in the Insiders program and the system needs to have been upgraded/installed as an Insiders preview.
The Insiders program continues. It did not end on 29 July. Microsoft has said as long as a user remains enrolled in the Insiders program and keeps that machine in sync with Insider updates all will be well. (Insiders will, in effect, be the testers for updates before they are pushed out to regular users.)
On 29 July, legitimate Windows 10 Insider machines really didn't see much happen because they had been upgraded to the release image the previous week.
Vista, of course, isn't eligible for the upgrade.
24 • poll (by Skynet on 2015-08-03 11:47:50 GMT from North America)
I would donate, if I had money to do so.
25 • win 10 (by erinis on 2015-08-03 12:55:03 GMT from North America)
Enough with the Microsoft gibber jabber. I'm getting ill and nauseated. Zorin 10 is a fine distro for newbies to Linux as is Point Linux. A small donation from everyone if possible will make a difference. Thanks
26 • Identify Tool (by Sorin on 2015-08-03 14:19:09 GMT from North America)
Hello. Can anyone tell me what's the tool used in the terminal from the screenshot titled "Point Linux 3.0 -- A custom MATE theme" (5th screenshot). It's like a TOP alternative.
27 • System Monitor (by brad on 2015-08-03 15:24:01 GMT from North America)
@26 - it's the GNOME system monitor (or some slight variant thereof).
28 • System Monitor (by Sorin on 2015-08-03 16:09:09 GMT from North America)
@27 - That is the 6th picture. Was looking at the 5th picture actually. The tool with CLI interface.
29 • Ubuntu Mate "switching package managers" (by AnklefaceWroughtlandmire on 2015-08-03 17:07:02 GMT from South America)
I think a correction to the intro paragraph is in order. The statement "Ubuntu MATE switching package managers" isn't really accurate, as they're not moving away from DEB / apt-get. They're simply offering more choice in package manager *frontends*.
30 • @26 (by Charles on 2015-08-03 18:09:55 GMT from Europe)
I found this tool eventually, it's called glances
Many more such tools here: https://blog.serverdensity.com/80-linux-monitoring-tools-know/
31 • System Monitor (by Sorin on 2015-08-03 18:32:41 GMT from North America)
@30 - Thanks man. Now that's a comprehensive list.
32 • Point Linux 3.0 (by Shashi on 2015-08-03 18:39:17 GMT from Asia)
I've been using the Xfce flavour of Point Liniux 3.0 for a couple of weeks now without any trouble whatsoever. Your review is spot on.
33 • Virtualbox (by Charles Burge on 2015-08-03 20:05:08 GMT from North America)
I've been using Virtualbox for a few years now, and I eagerly downloaded the new version as soon as it was released. I was not disappointed. I really love the new feature that allows you to start a VM in a headless state. But the feature is a bit more robust than you let on. What it does is allow you to start the VM and the GUI in separate processes on the host. So that way, you can start it as headless but then bring up the console if you want to see it, or you can start it with the console running, but dismiss the console while the VM continues running. That's really handy for something like Windows Server, where you might need the GUI for just a minute or two, but then you can get it out of the way.
Another feature is hot-swappable SATA disks, which may be handy if you have a virtual disk that you want to move from one machine to another,
By the way, I installed version 5 on top of my existing 4.x version, and I've had no problems at all.
34 • Poll (by a on 2015-08-04 01:54:11 GMT from Europe)
As others said, this should have been a multiple answers poll. Or at least there should be a "Several of the above" answer, but that would be kind of useless, probably. Skipping this one.
35 • poll - other (by forlin on 2015-08-04 03:08:38 GMT from Europe)
Under "other" there may be a big slice of those who cooperate by doing translations. I did it before, too, so my vote on it.
36 • Poll (by GuntherT on 2015-08-04 04:51:59 GMT from North America)
I don't agree that the poll should have allowed for multiple selections. Despite doing several, I found myself choosing the item on the list I do most often. Giving equal weight in the results for multiple answers doesn't feel representative when I don't put equal effort into the different items on the list. I think the question should have instead been worded "My biggest contribution to open souce is made by"...
37 • Virtualbox (by far2fish on 2015-08-04 06:46:46 GMT from Europe)
Both at home and at work I suppose Virtualbox is the piece of open source software I rely most on. And it keeps getting better and better.
With the easy way to start a headless guests now, I think the only GUI features I miss is the ability to compact a VDI, and the ability to use more than 4 network adapters. But both features can of course be done from the command line.
38 • Point Linux (by jymm on 2015-08-04 11:04:48 GMT from North America)
I have been using Point Linux since the demise of Solus. I have to say it is the best OS I have used. I use the Mate desktop. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great OS.
39 • Point LInux and mailing addresses for donations (by Ted H on 2015-08-04 12:17:28 GMT from North America)
Point Linux 3.0 removed the Configuration Edito that was in version 2.3.1, which is the only way I can defeat/turn off the touchpad! So I will be staying with version 2.3.1
Also, I would like to donate, but not all of us have credit cards, so if a developer/OS site would list a postal address to mail a donation to, that would be great. I particularly want to donate to Point Linux.
Point, do you have a postal drop box address in the United States that I could send a postal money order donation to you??
Ted H
40 • @39 (Disable touchpad) (by Charles on 2015-08-04 15:05:36 GMT from Europe)
$ synclient TouchpadOff=1
Alternatively:
$ xinput set-prop "Device Enabled" 0
Get the from running: xinput list
41 • Correct error in @40 (by Charles on 2015-08-04 15:10:01 GMT from Europe)
^^^
Should say:
$ xinput set-prop (id) "Device Enabled" 0
Get the (id) from running: xinput list
(Comment form didn't seem to like angle brackets for some reason...)
42 • 41 • Comment form (by Charles from Europe) (by Somewhat Reticent on 2015-08-04 15:18:13 GMT from North America)
Angle brackets imply HTML, as in bold or underline.
43 • @42 (by Charles on 2015-08-04 15:26:37 GMT from Europe)
Ah yes, silly me. Thanks @42.
44 • +1 for Installing bootloader on EFI (by jared on 2015-08-04 20:32:32 GMT from North America)
@1 I would love to see and instruction on installing a bootloader on EFI.
45 • Bootloader instructions (by Kragle von Schnitzelbank on 2015-08-04 21:47:15 GMT from North America)
(U)EFI "standards" have left "implementation" up to the same hardware vendors enamored of monopolistic dreams who build pranks galore into drivers, thus instructions vary from one firmware model/version to the next. A few distros do have bootloader setups that even work with SecureBoot; how to apply them to a particular model/version firmware varies, of course.
A wise shopper considers this before purchase...
46 • re: #44 and #1 (by brad on 2015-08-04 22:41:33 GMT from North America)
I found a detailed method in the Ordinatechnic review of Tanglu 1.0 (presumably authored by the same reviewer as this week's?):
<http://ordinatechnic.com/distro-reviews/tanglu-subcategory-distro-reviews/tanglu-1-0-review>
It's do-able, but it would take an uninterrupted weekend afternoon (for me), and several repetitions to feel comfortable with the technique...
47 • Anyone have an acceptable (usable) plasma-5 desktop? (by RollMeAway on 2015-08-05 02:35:41 GMT from North America)
I have kubuntu-15.04, openSUSE tumbleweed, debian testing & sid, plus a couple others I don''t recall offhand, with feeble attempts.
None are usable for daily work, and all have the bland 'breeze' theme that I cannot change.
If you have plasma-5 working in your distro, please brag about it here!
48 • Donation Poll (by cykodrone on 2015-08-05 03:47:12 GMT from North America)
I should have clicked 'other' instead of just a monetary donation, because I make bug reports and forum work as well, oops. Can the DW admins change my vote for me please?
49 • plasma5 (by linuxista on 2015-08-05 06:25:01 GMT from North America)
I have a plasma 5.3 running well on a Manjaro install that I upgraded from kde 4.16 (I think). Plasma 5.1 was decent, way better than KDE 4.0 - 4.6, though changing themes resulted in overwriting the some of the themes, and I couldn't get the basic Breeze or Breeze dark back. Eventually deleted the whole KDE 4 and/or Plasma config directories in order to get back to default desktop appearance. Still lacking important applets though. The upgrade to 5.3 resulted in a CPU leak that had the distro running at 12-14% cpu at idle on all cores of an i7. That lasted through a few update cycles, probably 3 or 4 months, where I would update it to see if it changed, but stopped using it. Finally in this last update the CPU leak is fixed. Everything is smooth and working bug free now as far as I know, which is not my usual experience with KDE. I haven't had the courage to change themes, though. Just using default Breeze, which is to my liking. Maybe I'll wait for 5.5 or 5.7.
50 • poll results (by pollster on 2015-08-05 07:50:07 GMT from Europe)
The poll results are odd. Most popular are Donating funds (21%), Submitting bug reports (18%) and Supporting other users (27%). Least popular are Creating artwork (2%) and Designing user interfaces (0%). So where are all the people working on icons, wallpapers and DEs for the many flashy spinoff distros without much else changed in them?
# 48, I guess you're not a forum mod for any distro with systemd in it, and your specialty wouldn;t be init systems :)
51 • @23 (by Buck on 2015-08-05 08:56:38 GMT from Europe)
I think you've stumbled upon the wrong comments section.
I don't see Microsoft or Windows listed as a valid distribution here.
52 • RE 50 (by dbrion on 2015-08-05 09:03:05 GMT from Europe)
someone writing code can find and adapt/ design, **if needed *** a logo or an icon, or provide a decent user interface... this is a small (very small, for icons) part of his coding work, and cannot be counted in a one-answer poll (every answers are mutually exclusive). They can support users for alpha,beta, perhaps gamma versions and I hope this is a small part of their coding work...
53 • Point Linux (by JohnLinkletter on 2015-08-05 09:41:57 GMT from Europe)
I have been using Point Linux 2.3 as my main desktop distro for close to two years after migrating from Linux Mint for better performance all around.
The main reason was the fact that Point was optimized to integrate compiz effects with the mate desktop - and it works great - unlike Mint where the integration of compiz to mate has always been buggy.
In that respect, Mint 10, the last Mint version to use Gnome 2 still remains its best spin and I still use it on an ageing HP laptop. It's been going downhill for Mint ever since as it becomes increasingly bloated, buggy and slow.
And that seems to be the fate of most mainstream Linux distros - start out great, reach a height, and then the slow decent down into bloat and bog. Point 3 is not an exception. Compiz no longer works and the entire distro seems like a buggy downgrade on the previous release Point 2.3.
I've tried Point 3, tested it, and am sticking to Point 2.3. Newer is not necessarily better in the Linux word. In fact these last fewer years, newer usually means worse.
For you guys who are new to using Linux as a OS, I pity you. You have missed the best. And it is probably never coming back.
54 • Contributing to open source software (by Sadi on 2015-08-05 11:08:24 GMT from Europe)
It's pity that you didn't choose to let us readers select multiple options, which I'm sure is true for many people ;-)
55 • @47 KDE5 (by pfb on 2015-08-05 11:41:29 GMT from North America)
KDE5 is working fine on Fedora 22. But, it was not always. When I first installed it, things were fine. Then an upgrade rendered it unusable. I switched to Cinnamon for a spell and eventually to Xfce. Then after a number of upgrades, KDE5 returned to an operable status.
I do not believe that Fedora is the only distro with which I have experienced killer upgrades. I usually load multiple DEs because of this. So single DE distros are out for me.
It might be an equipment thing. But, I doubt it. My Fedora computer is an HP pavilion, quad core AMD, recently discontinued last year (when I bought it).
56 • FOSS support (by fatmac on 2015-08-05 17:23:35 GMT from Europe)
Whilst I have marked [B]Supporting other users[/B], as I'm on quite a few forums.
I also donate small sums of money to both operating system projects & to help keep forums running, so I guess I do a bit to help.
57 • @53 Point Linux (by Rev_Don on 2015-08-05 17:34:53 GMT from North America)
I pretty much agree with you on Point Linux. There is one exception though. I have been able to get Compiz working (at least to some extent) on Point 3. The problem is getting the compiz-fusion-plugins-main installed. Everything else works, but anything from the plugins-main is unavailable. Had to use a snapshot of a repo to get that far.
But don't blame Point for the Compiz problem. That falls squarely on Debians shoulders. Unlike most other major distros, no one at Debian has been maintaining the Compiz files in the repos so they made the decision to just remove them instead of fixing them. Not the best choice if you ask me (and obviously you), but it is what it is. Funny how other distros have been able to maintain their Compiz files in working condition in their repos, but Debain can't.
Once I can gain access to the proper compiz-fusion-plugins-main file(s) that will work with the rest of the Compiz from the snapshot Compiz in all of it's glory should work again.
58 • Re: Opinion Poll (by Aaron on 2015-08-05 19:02:28 GMT from North America)
I selected "Other" because I've donated funds, submitted bug reports, written some documentation and offered help and advice to other users on various occasions.
Allowing multiple options on these kinds of polls would be a good idea.
59 • missing poll question (by pollarizer on 2015-08-06 06:27:08 GMT from Oceania)
The poll is missing the option for "contributing malware code" to the Linux (and FOSS) community. How are we ever going to learn about the number of people involved in malware production - like root kits, heartbleed, SSL exploits, etc - if we don't actually ask?
Don't forget that evil coders / hackers crave some recognition too. So if distrowatch could get a handle on the number of people involved in malware coding, it might be a start to heading off a tsunami of malware (as in Windows, Mac, and Android) before Linux becomes wildly popular.
60 • Another missing question is about translations (by dbrion on 2015-08-06 08:14:44 GMT from Europe)
That astonishes me :Canada respects native American languages -I do not know whether one can find an Inuit keyboard (whale bones made?) , and minoritary langages (French, Kalderash among others). Money/time spent in translations can be huge (and developers cannot know each and every language) and it is sometimes difficult to find good translations (once I was asked about a help menu translation and explaines ... it should remain in English, as my collegues and I knew every technical notion from English/Omericon litterature)
61 • Nvidia (by Ralph Smole on 2015-08-06 12:57:01 GMT from North America)
After exhaustive searching,I have finally found a distro that supports NVIDIA cards natively..and it's PCLINUX OS. Love it. Does anyone know of ANY others?
62 • Nvidia auto detect distros (by cykodrone on 2015-08-06 22:33:26 GMT from North America)
@61 There are plenty, can't name them off the top of my head but most of the "beginner" friendly distros do auto detect and use the proprietary Nvidia driver blob (especially during a 'live' trial boot from DVD, etc), even some of the not so n00b friendly do as well. :)
Personally, I have an AMD/ATI video card and prefer the open source driver, even though my machine can handle the proprietary driver, I just find it too 'blobby', more trouble than it's worth. The open source driver has DRM (Direct Rendering Manager), I don't game but do watch the occasional video/movie, it works fine, it's not buggy and doesn't tax my system's resources unnecessarily.
I too am a PCLOS user, I can run any distro I want but I prefer it.
63 • Seeling_video_out_fix_for_Skype_on_Linux_64_bit_with_i386_architecture_added (by k on 2015-08-07 08:30:34 GMT from Europe)
Have been using Skype for Linux on 32 bit distros fine for some years but, after switching to 64 bit, with i386 architecture added, now unable to 'feed' out video. Audio fine both directions, and able to receive video fine, but no video out, even
on 64 bit LMDE2. Tips much appreciated.
64 • Thank You (by Ted H on 2015-08-07 13:04:27 GMT from North America)
Thank you #40, Charles, for your solution to turning off the mouse touchpad.
65 • RE: 53 • Point Linux (by DarkMatter on 2015-08-07 16:25:05 GMT from Africa)
@JohnLinkletter
John, I completely agree with you. There's no need for Linux to get bloated like Windows. I loved the Point Linux 2.3.x series -- rock solid, looks great and uses minimal RAM. Great stuff.
LXLE is also a remarkable distro that I've installed on many netbooks. Ditto for Xubuntu - especially now it's using Xfce 4.12.
On more powerful systems, the latest Linux Mint 17.2 Cinnamon looks really good with lots of bug fixes and general improvements. Well, that's what they say. Trying it out tonite.
66 • #53 (by zykoda on 2015-08-07 19:05:38 GMT from Europe)
Yes, I agree with you about mint 10 and its descent. I still use 9 since it's LTS. 17.2 Mate, also LTS is the next better and still not EOL.Just updated a Windows 7 from an old disk. Could have installed a new mint 17.2 in one tenth of the update time. Now there is W10 offered!. Interesting that Debian is making inroads. BSD and Debian/Hurd also slowly coming of age. Minix 3 is still quiet!
67 • Point vs Mint Debian (by M.Z. on 2015-08-07 19:28:55 GMT from Planet Mars)
I suppose Point Linux might be slightly more stable than Mint Debian because it sounds like they don't roll their desktop like LMDE does, but are there any other advantages? I have real Firefox in the LMDE system I'm booted into right now & it's installed by default & I also have all the other browsers the reviewer mentioned via a simple download & GUI install. I also nice Mint designed touches that make things easier like 'Software Sources' repo speed checker/switcher, the Mint Update Manager & Software Center etc. It seems like several of these tools would be absent in Point & the gain would be an ever so slightly more stable locked in version of the desktop. Maybe I'm biased in favor of Mint but it seems like LMDE is a better option to me for most users, thoughts? disagreements? Other things Point does better?
68 • A smaller BSD? (by Jeff on 2015-08-07 19:35:09 GMT from North America)
Is there a BSD distribution that had a desktop oriented download much smaller than 4 gigabytes?
I don't see why I should need to download the full Gnome and KDE and LXDE and.........................just so I can run Fluxbox.
Some people have slow or limited internet access, or an ISP that slows them down or charges them extra after some arbitrary amount downloaded per month.
Are the BSD's so small user base or so well funded that the enormous bandwidth is no problem for them?
69 • re: 67 • Point vs Mint Debian (by Jeff on 2015-08-07 19:40:20 GMT from North America)
That sounds a lot like SolydXK is what you are looking for.
They started with the Mint LMDE tools and built from there.
70 • #68 (by Corbin Rune on 2015-08-07 20:08:32 GMT from North America)
Try GhostBSD. About 1.9 or 2GB, FreeBSD based, uses MATE for its DE, if my memory is accurate.
71 • Point vs LMDE & eye candy (by M.Z. on 2015-08-08 20:37:32 GMT from Planet Mars)
@69
A good suggestion as Debian based distros go, but I was actually wondering what specifically Point offered that might actually make it better than LMDE. I think Mint & it's various flavors have become one of the standards by which other distros are judged, especially in the easy to use desktop area. I know some distros do specific things than Mint doesn't like offering a choice of KDE or XFCE on top of a Debian base in the case of SolydXK. The offering of those two great DEs on a Debian base with the great tools provided by Mint is a good reason to consider SolydXK, but is there something in particular that makes Point stand out in comparison? To me LMDE Mate or Solyd XFCE would offer all the stuff in Point + Mint tools & a bit stronger brand assurance at least from Mint. I guess it sort of boils down to the old 'but isn't it just a respin of distro x?' question. I'd like to know if there were a better package/software manager or some other feature that makes this particular Debian based system better than other big name alternatives.
@53
No need to pity anyone, KDE does most of the old compiz tricks in a more reliable & easy to use fashion. The best is quite subjective of course, but I prefer KDE & it's eye candy over the old compiz stuff. I also think Cinnamon offers lots of nice touches in the effects department & from what I can see both it & KDE are moving in the right direction by offering ever more slick looking options in a well integrated & stable package. The desktop cube & other effects are well integrated into KDE & the Flipper extension in Cinnamon is fairly nice too. I know some people may always claim that they don't make them like they used too, but I see constant improvement & change most everywhere I look & the Linux desktop isn't too different. Things will never be exactly like they were before, but eventually they'll likely be better.
72 • LXQt (by Bill S on 2015-08-09 03:24:18 GMT from North America)
Anyone know how to autologin the new ExTiX 15.3 LXQt? I chose it at install but it didn't take. Most of the goggle info is outdated or foor debian. Thanks.
73 • 72 • LXQt autologin (by Bill S from North America) (by Somewhat Reticent on 2015-08-09 08:54:35 GMT from North America)
Maybe edit "lxqt-lightdm-greeter" configuration?
74 • LXQt (by Bill S on 2015-08-09 18:38:00 GMT from North America)
Ah ha - Edit /etc/slim.conf..
Number of Comments: 74
Display mode: DWW Only • Comments Only • Both DWW and Comments
| | |
| TUXEDO |
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
|
| Archives |
| • Ussye 1118 (2025-04-21): Fedora 42, strange characters in Vim, Nitrux introduces new package tools, Fedora extends reproducibility efforts, PINE64 updates multiple devices running Debian |
| • Issue 1117 (2025-04-14): Shebang 25.0, EndeavourOS 2025.03.19, running applications from other distros on the desktop, Debian gets APT upgrade, Mint introduces OEM options for LMDE, postmarketOS packages GNOME 48 and COSMIC, Redox testing USB support |
| • Issue 1116 (2025-04-07): The Sense HAT, Android and mobile operating systems, FreeBSD improves on laptops, openSUSE publishes many new updates, Fedora appoints new Project Leader, UBports testing VoLTE |
| • Issue 1115 (2025-03-31): GrapheneOS 2025, the rise of portable package formats, MidnightBSD and openSUSE experiment with new package management features, Plank dock reborn, key infrastructure projects lose funding, postmarketOS to focus on reliability |
| • Issue 1114 (2025-03-24): Bazzite 41, checking which processes are writing to disk, Rocky unveils new Hardened branch, GNOME 48 released, generating images for the Raspberry Pi |
| • Issue 1113 (2025-03-17): MocaccinoOS 1.8.1, how to contribute to open source, Murena extends on-line installer, Garuda tests COSMIC edition, Ubuntu to replace coreutils with Rust alternatives, Chimera Linux drops RISC-V builds |
| • Issue 1112 (2025-03-10): Solus 4.7, distros which work with Secure Boot, UBports publishes bug fix, postmarketOS considers a new name, Debian running on Android |
| • Issue 1111 (2025-03-03): Orbitiny 0.01, the effect of Ubuntu Core Desktop, Gentoo offers disk images, elementary OS invites feature ideas, FreeBSD starts PinePhone Pro port, Mint warns of upcoming Firefox issue |
| • Issue 1110 (2025-02-24): iodeOS 6.0, learning to program, Arch retiring old repositories, openSUSE makes progress on reproducible builds, Fedora is getting more serious about open hardware, Tails changes its install instructions to offer better privacy, Murena's de-Googled tablet goes on sale |
| • Issue 1109 (2025-02-17): Rhino Linux 2025.1, MX Linux 23.5 with Xfce 4.20, replacing X.Org tools with Wayland tools, GhostBSD moving its base to FreeBSD -RELEASE, Redox stabilizes its ABI, UBports testing 24.04, Asahi changing its leadership, OBS in dispute with Fedora |
| • Issue 1108 (2025-02-10): Serpent OS 0.24.6, Aurora, sharing swap between distros, Peppermint tries Void base, GTK removinglegacy technologies, Red Hat plans more AI tools for Fedora, TrueNAS merges its editions |
| • Issue 1107 (2025-02-03): siduction 2024.1.0, timing tasks, Lomiri ported to postmarketOS, Alpine joins Open Collective, a new desktop for Linux called Orbitiny |
| • Issue 1106 (2025-01-27): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta 6, Pop!_OS 24.04 Alpha 5, detecting whether a process is inside a virtual machine, drawing graphics to NetBSD terminal, Nix ported to FreeBSD, GhostBSD hosting desktop conference |
| • Issue 1105 (2025-01-20): CentOS 10 Stream, old Flatpak bundles in software centres, Haiku ports Iceweasel, Oracle shows off debugging tools, rsync vulnerability patched |
| • Issue 1104 (2025-01-13): DAT Linux 2.0, Silly things to do with a minimal computer, Budgie prepares Wayland only releases, SteamOS coming to third-party devices, Murena upgrades its base |
| • Issue 1103 (2025-01-06): elementary OS 8.0, filtering ads with Pi-hole, Debian testing its installer, Pop!_OS faces delays, Ubuntu Studio upgrades not working, Absolute discontinued |
| • Issue 1102 (2024-12-23): Best distros of 2024, changing a process name, Fedora to expand Btrfs support and releases Asahi Remix 41, openSUSE patches out security sandbox and donations from Bottles while ending support for Leap 15.5 |
| • Issue 1101 (2024-12-16): GhostBSD 24.10.1, sending attachments from the command line, openSUSE shows off GPU assignment tool, UBports publishes security update, Murena launches its first tablet, Xfce 4.20 released |
| • Issue 1100 (2024-12-09): Oreon 9.3, differences in speed, IPFire's new appliance, Fedora Asahi Remix gets new video drivers, openSUSE Leap Micro updated, Redox OS running Redox OS |
| • Issue 1099 (2024-12-02): AnduinOS 1.0.1, measuring RAM usage, SUSE continues rebranding efforts, UBports prepares for next major version, Murena offering non-NFC phone |
| • Issue 1098 (2024-11-25): Linux Lite 7.2, backing up specific folders, Murena and Fairphone partner in fair trade deal, Arch installer gets new text interface, Ubuntu security tool patched |
| • Issue 1097 (2024-11-18): Chimera Linux vs Chimera OS, choosing between AlmaLinux and Debian, Fedora elevates KDE spin to an edition, Fedora previews new installer, KDE testing its own distro, Qubes-style isolation coming to FreeBSD |
| • Issue 1096 (2024-11-11): Bazzite 40, Playtron OS Alpha 1, Tucana Linux 3.1, detecting Screen sessions, Redox imports COSMIC software centre, FreeBSD booting on the PinePhone Pro, LXQt supports Wayland window managers |
| • Issue 1095 (2024-11-04): Fedora 41 Kinoite, transferring applications between computers, openSUSE Tumbleweed receives multiple upgrades, Ubuntu testing compiler optimizations, Mint partners with Framework |
| • Issue 1094 (2024-10-28): DebLight OS 1, backing up crontab, AlmaLinux introduces Litten branch, openSUSE unveils refreshed look, Ubuntu turns 20
| | • Issue 1093 (2024-10-21): Kubuntu 24.10, atomic vs immutable distributions, Debian upgrading Perl packages, UBports adding VoLTE support, Android to gain native GNU/Linux application support |
| • Issue 1092 (2024-10-14): FunOS 24.04.1, a home directory inside a file, work starts of openSUSE Leap 16.0, improvements in Haiku, KDE neon upgrades its base |
| • Issue 1091 (2024-10-07): Redox OS 0.9.0, Unified package management vs universal package formats, Redox begins RISC-V port, Mint polishes interface, Qubes certifies new laptop |
| • Issue 1090 (2024-09-30): Rhino Linux 2024.2, commercial distros with alternative desktops, Valve seeks to improve Wayland performance, HardenedBSD parterns with Protectli, Tails merges with Tor Project, Quantum Leap partners with the FreeBSD Foundation |
| • Issue 1089 (2024-09-23): Expirion 6.0, openKylin 2.0, managing configuration files, the future of Linux development, fixing bugs in Haiku, Slackware packages dracut |
| • Issue 1088 (2024-09-16): PorteuX 1.6, migrating from Windows 10 to which Linux distro, making NetBSD immutable, AlmaLinux offers hardware certification, Mint updates old APT tools |
| • Issue 1087 (2024-09-09): COSMIC desktop, running cron jobs at variable times, UBports highlights new apps, HardenedBSD offers work around for FreeBSD change, Debian considers how to cull old packages, systemd ported to musl |
| • Issue 1086 (2024-09-02): Vanilla OS 2, command line tips for simple tasks, FreeBSD receives investment from STF, openSUSE Tumbleweed update can break network connections, Debian refreshes media |
| • Issue 1085 (2024-08-26): Nobara 40, OpenMandriva 24.07 "ROME", distros which include source code, FreeBSD publishes quarterly report, Microsoft updates breaks Linux in dual-boot environments |
| • Issue 1084 (2024-08-19): Liya 2.0, dual boot with encryption, Haiku introduces performance improvements, Gentoo dropping IA-64, Redcore merges major upgrade |
| • Issue 1083 (2024-08-12): TrueNAS 24.04.2 "SCALE", Linux distros for smartphones, Redox OS introduces web server, PipeWire exposes battery drain on Linux, Canonical updates kernel version policy |
| • Issue 1082 (2024-08-05): Linux Mint 22, taking snapshots of UFS on FreeBSD, openSUSE updates Tumbleweed and Aeon, Debian creates Tiny QA Tasks, Manjaro testing immutable images |
| • Issue 1081 (2024-07-29): SysLinuxOS 12.4, OpenBSD gain hardware acceleration, Slackware changes kernel naming, Mint publishes upgrade instructions |
| • Issue 1080 (2024-07-22): Running GNU/Linux on Android with Andronix, protecting network services, Solus dropping AppArmor and Snap, openSUSE Aeon Desktop gaining full disk encryption, SUSE asks openSUSE to change its branding |
| • Issue 1079 (2024-07-15): Ubuntu Core 24, hiding files on Linux, Fedora dropping X11 packages on Workstation, Red Hat phasing out GRUB, new OpenSSH vulnerability, FreeBSD speeds up release cycle, UBports testing new first-run wizard |
| • Issue 1078 (2024-07-08): Changing init software, server machines running desktop environments, OpenSSH vulnerability patched, Peppermint launches new edition, HardenedBSD updates ports |
| • Issue 1077 (2024-07-01): The Unity and Lomiri interfaces, different distros for different tasks, Ubuntu plans to run Wayland on NVIDIA cards, openSUSE updates Leap Micro, Debian releases refreshed media, UBports gaining contact synchronisation, FreeDOS celebrates its 30th anniversary |
| • Issue 1076 (2024-06-24): openSUSE 15.6, what makes Linux unique, SUSE Liberty Linux to support CentOS Linux 7, SLE receives 19 years of support, openSUSE testing Leap Micro edition |
| • Issue 1075 (2024-06-17): Redox OS, X11 and Wayland on the BSDs, AlmaLinux releases Pi build, Canonical announces RISC-V laptop with Ubuntu, key changes in systemd |
| • Issue 1074 (2024-06-10): Endless OS 6.0.0, distros with init diversity, Mint to filter unverified Flatpaks, Debian adds systemd-boot options, Redox adopts COSMIC desktop, OpenSSH gains new security features |
| • Issue 1073 (2024-06-03): LXQt 2.0.0, an overview of Linux desktop environments, Canonical partners with Milk-V, openSUSE introduces new features in Aeon Desktop, Fedora mirrors see rise in traffic, Wayland adds OpenBSD support |
| • Issue 1072 (2024-05-27): Manjaro 24.0, comparing init software, OpenBSD ports Plasma 6, Arch community debates mirror requirements, ThinOS to upgrade its FreeBSD core |
| • Issue 1071 (2024-05-20): Archcraft 2024.04.06, common command line mistakes, ReactOS imports WINE improvements, Haiku makes adjusting themes easier, NetBSD takes a stand against code generated by chatbots |
| • Issue 1070 (2024-05-13): Damn Small Linux 2024, hiding kernel messages during boot, Red Hat offers AI edition, new web browser for UBports, Fedora Asahi Remix 40 released, Qubes extends support for version 4.1 |
| • Issue 1069 (2024-05-06): Ubuntu 24.04, installing packages in alternative locations, systemd creates sudo alternative, Mint encourages XApps collaboration, FreeBSD publishes quarterly update |
| • Issue 1068 (2024-04-29): Fedora 40, transforming one distro into another, Debian elects new Project Leader, Red Hat extends support cycle, Emmabuntus adds accessibility features, Canonical's new security features |
| • Issue 1067 (2024-04-22): LocalSend for transferring files, detecting supported CPU architecure levels, new visual design for APT, Fedora and openSUSE working on reproducible builds, LXQt released, AlmaLinux re-adds hardware support |
| • Full list of all issues |
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
|
| Random Distribution | 
Estrella Roja
Estrella Roja (formerly Red Star GNU/Linux) was a Debian-based distribution and live CD for the desktop. Developed in Argentina, it was primarily designed for Spanish-speaking users.
Status: Discontinued
|
| TUXEDO |
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
|
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
|
|
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
