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1 • Minimal vs Full (by argent on 2016-07-18 00:39:04 GMT from North America)
Prefer a distribution that has bare essentials to boot. No DE is a must and no systemd(eath) an absolute.
Less is more folks, smaller the distro less chances it will fail, or be corrupt for one reason or another.
Tis completely mind boggling why any Linux distro would be over 600mb and that is the max it should ever be. Let the user decide what they want.
A Linux distribution should not be something dumb down and bloated like ubu's.
Less is more, liberate yourself.
2 • RE:Opinion Poll (by Linux DelNorte on 2016-07-18 00:59:43 GMT from North America)
i like all the popular apps like Chromium browser, smplayer and vlc, abiword, Libreoffice & OpenOffice, The GIMP, etc... all the GNU/Linux apps everybody loves, but i like to use a lightweight window manager, i want to run the good apps and i dont need a fancy desktop full of eye-candy to do it in, so i like window managers like openbox, or iceWM, fluxbox, etc...etc...
3 • Minimal vs Full (by Rev_Don on 2016-07-18 01:34:09 GMT from North America)
It all depends on the distro, what I will be using that distro for, and what software is included. For a live disk scenario like a Knoppix or Parted Magic Live USB,CD,DVD I tend to prefer a fairly loaded distro.
For a hard drive based system I tend to prefer a somewhat modest package. i usually end up removing as many apps as I install anyway so it's easier to just start with a basic distro with a browser, package manager, terminal, text editor with my preferred DE. Too many of the fully loaded distros include software I would never use or need and/or choose a different browser, office suite, etc than what I prefer. It's just easier to start failfy minimal and install what I want.
When I recommend a distro to someone who is fairly new to Linux or I just want or need to get it up and running fairly quickly I'll go with a more fully fleshed out distro like one of the 'Buntus, Mint, Linux Lite, etc.
So it all depends on the circumstances what is most appropriate.
4 • Full can be small (by session on 2016-07-18 03:20:49 GMT from North America)
Puppy Linux, which is known to be very light and fast, would be considered a full distribution; there are periodic debates on the Puppy forums whether Puppy really needs 5 different text editors. But the applications often have minimal impact on iso size; using Puppy dispelled my "one application per task" ideal. Choice can be good, especially when it's all right there loaded in ram and ready to go..
5 • RE: Minimal vs Full (by Rio on 2016-07-18 03:24:40 GMT from North America)
I agree. Deciding to install a minimal or a full version of a distro depends on the circumstances. New user; go with a full version. Old hand; go minimal and set it up as you like..
6 • Poll critique and 'Questions and Answers' observation (by Marc Magi on 2016-07-18 03:25:54 GMT from North America)
Minimal vs full distributions is a silly poll. Most ppl would use a full distro for general day-to-day work and use a light distro for specialized purposes like Kali for Pen Testing, CAINE for Forensic, CloneZilla for cloning, etc. They aren't mutually exclusive. I use them as the task at hand dictates.
-------
In Questions and Answers (by Jesse Smith) he tells a user about Snap and Flatpak but it was only two weeks ago that he rightly criticized them. Yet the package that he thought clearly superior (AppImage) was never mentioned.
7 • Minimal vs full distributions (by Justin on 2016-07-18 03:30:06 GMT from North America)
When I boot up a new PC running Windows, I realize I'm going to have to install all the software I want to be able to complete my tasks. The same thing goes for Mac (if you aren't using Apple supplied apps). I feel the same should apply to Linux. Let the user choose what they want installed. I run Manjaro Linux and the first thing I did was strip off all the programs I didn't want and installed the ones I wanted (if I was more tech savvy I would have installed Arch and done it right from the beginning).
8 • Full distribution versus minimal (by Bobbie Sellers on 2016-07-18 04:27:59 GMT from North America)
I prefer full distributions as seen with the old Mandriva Power Pack.
Under KDE I use both KWrite for short notes and Kate for longer stuff
using it's ability to bookmark.
Presently using LibreWriter for documents.that demand exacting
formatting in the printout,
I would try the new Calligra if I had time but I may find time in order
to write about it as I do about most distributions.
Of course I am hobbyist and using a computer is one of the things
I learned to do after I was 45 and the tools available in those days
would suit, one supposes, those people who want a single tool for
similar tasks but while one tool may suit one individual's needs I
prefer several so that I have a choice to see which suits my
working habits best.
I try out a lot of distributions from Fedora to Puppy to Ubuntu but
I always check on text editors some so simple(minded) that they
cannot find the flash drive I use to store my notes. Some have
embellishments better suited to word processing like printing
out in chosen fonts. I have yet to find the equal of Kate though.
I have been using Mandriva or its forks for about 11 years now
after my Amiga 2000 quit working,
bliss
9 • Minimal vs full distributions (by 2damncommon on 2016-07-18 04:54:18 GMT from North America)
Totally agree with @Marc Magi post 6
.....Most ppl would use a full distro for general day-to-day work and use a light distro for specialized purposes.....
10 • Minimal vs full distributions. Linux, Windows, IOS, & Android. (by Greg Zeng on 2016-07-18 05:38:57 GMT from Oceania)
All types have their best uses, depending on the user. Noobs may eventually learn to demand more uses from their operating systems, so a full distro allows them to "grow" as they develop, if they ever do. Minimals are special, limited purpose, or expert users only.
Some experts like myself tend to install the very fullest distro, then remove the trimmings, de-orphan the left-overs, etc. This allows seeing the customizations, unique to the distro. Exciting, unique innovations are see in these full distros. Trimming and weeding unwanted applications is a long, tedious process, but often needed.
This "expert" analysis allows us to separate the one-person hobbyist distros, from the teamwork-proven distros. Team distros benefit with finely detailed customizations e.g. PCLOS & Netrunner. Some solo distros (Pinguy) are obviously the work of one brilliant main-coder, but these distros are usually too much to maintain for the solo coder, because Linux & computing is evolving so rapidly (x11 & Wayland, Gtk & Qt, systemd, Nvidia & AMD, wifi, etc).
Some "team-coders" are better than other engineering teams. In Linux, there are two major post-compiling teams: DEB (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Deb-based, Ubuntu-based, Mint-based) (wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DebianFamilyTree1210.svg, 00:09, 4 January 2013) and RPM (RedHat, Fedora, SUSI-based, RedHat-based, Fedora-based, Mandriva-based, etc). (wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linux_Distribution_Timeline.svg, 21:39, 28 June 2016, but according to Distrowatch, openSUSI is not Slackware-based)
"Conservative" Linux teams use source code: Linux-From-Scratch, Arch, Slackware and derivatives based on these, with varying degrees of post-compilation. It is very rare (never?) for these source-code operating systems to offer installation of "full distributions" with all useful applications needed by unsupported users.
Windows, ISO & Android-based operating systems tend to be "one-app-per-task distributions". Windows, as the only anti-Unix system discussed here, is extremely wasteful of all computer resources, but seems to be the leader in user applications and user-friendliness, on the desktop computing world, at the moment. The Unix-based operating systems are slowly defeating the marketplace winner, with Linux leading in the IOT, handheld and server markets. Desktop computing against Windows is working, but when will Linux win this prize? Will it also be Ubuntu-based, such as Mint?
Of course, Wikipedia and myself are not always correct; changes happen over time, including the generalizations above.
11 • Poll (by zykoda on 2016-07-18 06:27:33 GMT from Europe)
I choose minimal install of distros with comprehensive repositories. Proprietary stuff is also a pragmatic requirement beyond repo contents. In this way pre-packaging is utilised to a maximum, source compilations reduced to a minimum with minimal system maintenance.
12 • Linux Lite (by Eddystone on 2016-07-18 07:09:22 GMT from North America)
To put it briefly, I have been using Linux Lite since it was introduced. Currently, all my systems are running the 3.0 version reviewed. While Linux Lite continues to improve and remain current, the user interface has always been very straightforward and easy to understand. The software applications included are intelligently selected, and there are customized GUI applications for adding things such as the "restricted extra" codecs. I would call myself a medium to advanced Linux user, and Linux Lite does not hinder me in any way. At the same time, I have installed it on computers for people in their 80's who are not particularly computer savvy, and they find their way around it just fine. This distribution is very stable. Finally, Linux Lite is still available in both 32-bit and 64-bit which is great because I have one older 32-bit laptop with relatively limited resources. Linux Lite runs very well on older machines because it is not resource hungry.
13 • Poll (by Livestradamus on 2016-07-18 07:55:37 GMT from Europe)
I prefer minimal, just give me a boot up and I promise to take care of what I need myself. I know what apps and tools I need.
And prefer distros that keep the packages as vanilla as possible so I can use what the developers have put out.
14 • full vs. minimal (by linuxista on 2016-07-18 08:39:38 GMT from North America)
Full, kitchen-sink distros are fun to play with and maybe discover some new apps, but I wouldn't want to install one. I know most of the apps I wouldn't be using, and I'd want to uninstall the vast majority of them. And many times the uninstall process is not 100% clean, leaving useless config files and folders scattered around the system. It's not a serious problem, but I'd rather just install what I'm going to use and keep my system as clean as possible.
15 • Linux Lite (by bert on 2016-07-18 08:53:52 GMT from Europe)
@12 I disagree with you. I have tested myself Linux Lite in comparison to Peppermint Linux 7. This one( has been my favorite since years!) is faster then Linux Lite and works overall better. For me it is Peppermint Linux an excellent choice for everyone who wants to use Linux as a beginner or who has already some experience with it. Try it for yourself!!!
16 • peppermint (by mes on 2016-07-18 10:01:38 GMT from Europe)
Peppermint is a very nice os. I have used it since Peppermint 2 mainly on older 32 bit pc's and laptops. I created an usbstick with Peppermint for emergency purposes.
I tried others (for example Linux Lite, adn Wattos) but Pepermint is still my favorite.
17 • deja vu (by Redeuux on 2016-07-18 10:44:47 GMT from North America)
Windows, as the only anti-Unix system discussed here, is extremely wasteful of all computer resources, but seems to be the leader in user applications and user-friendliness, on the desktop computing world, at the moment. The Unix-based operating systems are slowly defeating the marketplace winner, with Linux leading in the IOT, handheld and server markets. Desktop computing against Windows is working, but when will Linux win this prize?
I could've sworn I've read this comment in the 90s.
18 • secure boot =/= UEFI (by greg on 2016-07-18 10:50:50 GMT from Europe)
"..[users] who need a distribution that supports Secure Boot and UEFI should look elsewhere" - Linux was one of the first OS to support UEFI. even before windows did. So UEFI should not be an issue. Secure boot is a windows thing and this can be an issue.
19 • Poll (by jymm on 2016-07-18 10:51:34 GMT from North America)
I prefer a minimal distribution. I like a DE (Mate) and a terminal and the wireless to work as the very least, though I will connect wired and get the wireless working if I really want the distrol. If Synaptic is included great, if not I have the terminal. I would rather add the software I need than remove and clean up the software I do not want.
20 • mini v full (by greg on 2016-07-18 10:57:40 GMT from Europe)
imagine a company and 10000 PCs. and then imagine all of those users wanting a customised setup and mini is the only choice. could mkae one go mad. full is better in this case. you just clone the image. same goes for home users. visit them, install and they can use it. mostly they dont' know what they iwll need so it's easier for them if all they might need is already there.
now for those with advanced knowledge and interest in the OS mini is a far better option. they know exactly what they need, how is it called and how to install it.
21 • @20 -- That's What Tech's Are Paid To Do (by joncr on 2016-07-18 11:42:31 GMT from North America)
@20 -- A business or other organization that needed to role out a customized distribution to all of its PC's would would build its own customized image, test it, and deploy it. However, since such organizations typically have support contracts with Red Hat, Suse, Canonical, etc., they'd more likely deploy their own specific applications on top of that base system.
22 • Minimal vs Full vs One-app (by knightron on 2016-07-18 11:53:21 GMT from Oceania)
In my opinion all of the other installers should take a page out of OpenSUSE's book. What is so great about it is that it displays a summery page before the install which offers advanced options that allow for easy software customisation, (there's also advanced config options for other categories too). This is a fantastic feature that seems to show an attention to detail enforced so that the distro caters for both the new and more advanced users.
Options; that's what i love about Gnu/Linux.
23 • Mint (by D on 2016-07-18 12:05:21 GMT from North America)
Recently I took my first venture into Mint when it was about two 3 weeks from releasing 18. I had to install it on an old turn of the age between 32/64 processors. The laptop was one that broke on my parents. Speaking as someone that hadn't owned a PC in 10 years much less worked on/programmed one and joining Mint during its beta end I will say with utter certainty in my mind that the distro you pick should directly parallel the knowledge of programming or experience you have with Linux. My parents would never understand apt-get....I struggle now to configure the wifi dongle in mint so they are deskbound....yet at the same time after the Mint install and saving a few computers for friends the last month using Hirens and GParted and Clonezilla etc I can say that I'm utterly looking forward to challenging myself with the kali jump drive, portableapps.com jump drive, the arch build I'm yearning to start and a S$%T load of reading material.
Working Gparted..hell working Windows can be hard to the less trained or motivated..sometimes out of the box compatibility to post selfies everywhere is a needed thing.
24 • minimal distributions (by Joe P on 2016-07-18 12:27:55 GMT from North America)
I prefer minimal distributions and then I add my choices of critical software. I used to prefer full distributions but there are some popular choices that I don't want or trust such as Chromium.
I hope we continue to get choices such as no systemd too.
25 • Minimal OS Howto (by Dojnow on 2016-07-18 13:05:35 GMT from Europe)
If you prefer minimal distributions the Debian mini.iso is the match - choose Advanced options > Expert install; Go directly to "Detect network hardware"; You can choose stable, testing or sid (unstable). Skip "Select and install software" (tasksel) item. Install the LILO. 'apt-get clean' and you will have a minimal clean easy upgradable system; apt-get install Only what you need.
26 • Full or Min (by Scrumtime on 2016-07-18 13:49:37 GMT from North America)
I personally will always opt for a Minimal type distro then install what i want .....the base OS and Open / Flux box is ideal for me all the gumph like Plymouth a DM, and the other piles of stuff i probably will never use is a waste of my bandwidth downloading it and more time un installing it....
I do tend to install a fuller distro for anyone who i install linux as a new user for...and the afore mentioned Pepermint is one along with Watt os have been well accepted many people are happy with just internet a multi media and basic WP ...even if its a online app..
Most people will only ever use Libre Office for writer and possibly Spredsheet....i know i have never used Draw, Database, maths modules in the time I first installed Open Office till now... I don't own a Camera so Having Gimp is a waste as is Inkscape, and a full multi media suite...many people have apps on phones i believe for most pic editing they want to do. and again there are some decent online apps for the average person and if you do specialize a bit you can install what you need very easy
surely it would be easier for Devs to concentrate more on getting the base right and saving space on servers etc even if they just built to the DE level with little or no 3rd party progs would ease their time and server space ..
What on earth is happening to Manjaro ???? they had certificate problems that lost them a website, then they started a mobile phone friendly Forum which was terrible and a lot of people left,
A long time user started his own forum based on the old forum that was lost / forgotten so people could access the tutorials and wiki, and experience that was in the old one.. which was / couldnt be transfered to the new one...
..a few people got banned and lots of bad words and over the top moderation ..who were moving / closing posts for no more reason than it suited them... Now they have the Old web site back it seems on a different server and 3 different Forums ... though whether all the same info is spread across all 3 is unclear and or which 1 do people need to check in for up to date info....do you need 3 different registrations..????
27 • Speaking of minimal... (by cykodrone on 2016-07-18 14:05:58 GMT from North America)
i just installed Devuan 1.0 beta (mini CD netinst) on my test HDD, it's behaving very nicely. With backports enabled (you need it for dependencies to install a fair amount of apps), there are over 44,000 packages in the DEVUAN repos. I chose the MATE desktop (1.8.1). It's an old-school Debian-like blast from the past. Just like Debian, it's not for noobs, but if you know what you're doing, it's fantastic. I installed the 4.6.0 bpo kernel, my computer loves it, in combination with AMD microcode and non-free firmware (Radeon). I'm keeping this install for a while, there will be some heavy kicking of the tires, so far, so good. :) If it continues to behave so nicely, it will be installed one of my SSDs in the near future. I truly miss Debian, but Devuan is a PERFECT substitute.
How about a review of Devuan, DW? You want minimal? Devuan is certainly minimal. ;)
28 • Full or Minimal (by noar on 2016-07-18 14:39:36 GMT from North America)
Like @14, I enjoy looking at full distros to continue my education and expandi my horizons. But I prefer to instal minimal distros (and even find myself uninstalling parts of them), and to build on with what worked and fit well for me in the past, and possibly adding/testing some of the new gems I have discovered.
29 • do it yourself, if you can (by Mayo on 2016-07-18 14:40:50 GMT from North America)
Everyone seems to agree, for the most part, that you need what fits your know how.
I prefer the way the BSDs do it. Open and Net are fairly similar. They both provide X and a basic set of tools (and you can opt out of them during install). Very light install. Free is a little rougher for the noob. You'll have to install X afterwards, if you want it. Free has some lessor than common configuration techniques, but the documentation is the best of all three. Some things might be missing. I had to comb the forums to figure out how to enable my sdhc card port (might be documented now).
For the new comer surely full is better, unless they've come prepared and thirsty for knowledge. If you can research and connect dots, you could be more leet than a regular unix desktop user in no time, flipping through xen guests like browser tabs.
Sometime full isn't so great if its bleeding edge. Not because of bug, but because support for older hardware can fall off pretty easy. Ubuntu isn't really bleeding edge, but as an example I recall a few years back (probably still a problem) noobs installling it and never making past login. Seemed like if the video card wasn't released within the last five years it would lock up when trying to load the desktop eye candy. Probably no as bad as I am making it sound. But it seemed to happen a lot.
Certainly full with non-free packages enabled right away for new people. It is a stretch expecting some Windows user to think there is anything practical about their wifi not working because of firmware. Doesn't matter how many RSM speeches I give. They just kinda look at you like F^^^ this. I wish it wasn't true, and it is sad that it is. People just don't know why these things are important.
30 • @27, Devuan (by Paraquat on 2016-07-18 14:54:56 GMT from Asia)
cykodronecykodrone said:
"i just installed Devuan 1.0 beta...How about a review of Devuan, DW?"
I also have Devuan 1.0-beta installed, and running it right now. I find it to be both minimalist and full-blown desktop if you want it that way. Very configurable.
As for Distrowatch reviewing it, I think they're waiting for Devuan to officially declare itself version 1.0, rather than a beta. True, it's stable enough now that it can compete with mainstream Debian, but until the Devuan developers publicly say it's ready for prime time, it will probably remain on the "todo list" for reviewers.
However, for those who aren't intimidated by the word "beta," Devuan is worth installing right now.
31 • Minimal v. Full v. One-App (by aguador on 2016-07-18 15:49:39 GMT from Europe)
I assume that the answer here depends on experience. When first stepping into the Linux waters, having a distro full of applications is a nice way to learn a bit about what is available. Later, it is easier and more efficient to go minimal and install what you want. It keeps your system lighter and, well, yours. The one-app approcah would seem to be best, but I have yet to see one where all choices are the ones I would make, so you are still stuck removing and installing software.
Having seen the first comment, I think having isos with DEs/WMs setup does make life easier for the user as it usually means that there has been sufficient testing of the environment to see that it is working smoothly and efficiently.
32 • Full or Min (by Jose on 2016-07-18 16:09:29 GMT from North America)
I use the PCLinuxOS Mini-Me to load the bare minimum distro and just add/configure from there.
Even though I have a fairly new PC and Laptop, I still want to run with minimum bloat.
I don't run a WM like Flux. I prefer the LxQt DE. True, the others are lighter, but with my PC and Laptop, I can afford to run LxQt. I used to love KDE, but am sick of the bloat.
I liked the old Gnome (I used to be a paying member of the Ximian Gnome, back in the day), but find that I dislike Gnome 3/Mate/Unity, etc.
So, MINI version of my favorite distro for me!
33 • Poll question is unclear (by a on 2016-07-18 16:10:52 GMT from Europe)
"Some distributions strive to include every piece of software the user is likely to want. Other projects ship minimal installation images, leaving the installation of desktop applications to the user."
Both are not incompatible, unless you mean "Some distributions strive to include every piece of software the user is likely to want *on their installation images*"?
Please clarify as it’s impossible to answer the poll the way it is written now. Thanks.
34 • Linux Lite vs Peppermint (by Eddystone on 2016-07-18 16:19:21 GMT from North America)
15 & 16 You are comparing apples to oranges. Peppermint is a fine distribution if you want something that is largely cloud-based and not self-contained. Linux Lite is a full, traditional desktop package that comes complete as distributed for running largely independent of the web. Besides, my comments listed the things I like about Linux Lite. If you want to "disagree" you should point out where I am wrong or where Linux Lite falls down. As far as the published review is concerned, I don't recall reading a review where the statement has been made that the only negative comment that could be made was about the garishness of the ugly initial desktop background. It's just a very well executed distro, and that's just great, if it suits your purpose.
35 • @30 and @27, Devuan (by Dev one on 2016-07-18 16:31:37 GMT from Europe)
You can try Devuan live with Nelum Dev-1, mentioned in Distrowatch sometime ago.
36 • Poll query (by Jordan on 2016-07-18 16:40:07 GMT from North America)
I don't care as much about how the distro install image is populated with apps etc. I've enjoyed big, full distros and minimal ones.
I look more at how the distro is organized and what the emphasis is on. I won't even try those aimed at "forensic" or "scientific" users. Or those meant for server use. But I will try the gamut of "light" to "heavy" and all in between.
As far as what's included, heck the repositories can be perused for more stuff, and the package manager(s) can be used to remove things not needed.
That post #1 is silly, in my opinion. As if linux is not about choices. Lots of choices. We are not in a political movement or a religion wrt linux. It's an operating system kernel. What's wrapped around the kernel is up to the user; we're all "liberated" with that in mind.
37 • Getting software to work across distributions (by OstroL on 2016-07-18 16:48:42 GMT from Europe)
I don't think I'd agree with Jessie in this. I've been creating and using self-contained apps using Probono's AppImage. I'm using Firefox, LibreOffice, Gimp 2.9, Calibre, Transmission, Blender and few more apps self-contained exe way. I've tried those in Debian, Ubuntu, KDE Neon, Fedora, Mageia, Solus and Puppy Slacko. All worked very well in all those distros.
I carried them to family and pal's laptops and pasted them there and they can also use them. I didn't have to install all of them in other people's laptops. It saved time. Some had never seen Gimp or Blender, were quite interested.
It was Distrowatch that reminded me of self-contained apps, but this time Jessie had forgotten to mention AppImages. I'm sure Orbital Apps would work too. I'm going to have a look at it this week. I was interested in Snaps and Flatpaks, but not interested in installing some other app, so I can install a Snap or Flatpak. I'd like to carry it in my USB stick and use it any laptop. If I carry with me a Linux live iso, the other computer doesn't have to have Linux system installed.
It would be nice, if you guys (and Jessie too) try this, create an AppImage yourself. If you want a ready made upstream self-contained app that you can carry with you, try Krita, Pitivi etc.
38 • Live Devuan (by cykodrone on 2016-07-18 17:04:26 GMT from North America)
@35 Thank you, I had no idea that even existed, I bare metal installed MATE, so I'll download the Xfce version to kick the tires on that. It's like I found a new toy, lol. :D
39 • @38 Live Devuan (by Dev one on 2016-07-18 17:43:59 GMT from Europe)
Its good someone tried to help us with this Devuan live iso. It was mentioned in DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 662, 23 May 2016. It is supposed to be included in the "waiting list." It is mentioned in the official Devuan page https://devuan.org/
40 • Minimalist distros target only the developpers tastes (by dbrion on 2016-07-18 17:55:07 GMT from Europe)
To days, disks are huge and , in the PC/RPi world, it would be a pity not to have a lot of choice (10 years ago, one could hesitate). Having a package manager which can remove packages can lead to minimalist installed systems., according to one's tatstes. I am very indebted to Mandriva and Fedora who made me discover new, interesting packages (I google searched their use before deciding to delete : some I decided to keep turned out to be very useful). For other people : I have no telepathy skills, and cannot decide which is unuseful for someone else. For instance, if a child / adult (Maître Eolas used it for 10 yrs) decides to make quick drawings/caricatures, Inkskape is a natural candidate -no need for a camera cf @26- It would be unpleasant for him to remove it, out of ignorance.
In the non PC world -say unbeddeded with tiny, soldered storage- , on the other hand, minimalist applications remain necessary.
41 • Ubuntu Forums Hacked (by hacked-buntu on 2016-07-18 18:25:21 GMT from North America)
Apparently this has happened before and almost on its anniversary:
http://blog.canonical.com/2013/07/21/notice-of-security-breach-on-ubuntu-forums-site/
42 • my personal preference (by dmacleo on 2016-07-18 18:34:19 GMT from North America)
I tend to use Mint (18 now) on laptop and all desktops here are on server 2012r2 essentials domain.
mint 18 (cinnamon DE) seems to work well on my older dell laptop 1765 i5 mobile.
I ten o like a full distro, but thas beauty of stuff like this. use what fits you best.
43 • How to make software universal for yourself (by Poet Nohit on 2016-07-18 19:29:14 GMT from North America)
It's actually quite simple. You compile it from source. I've very rarely run into issues doing it that way.
I do suggest that you start with a solid distro's version of that program, first. Then (if it doesn't meet with your approval for one reason or another) you uninstall it and compile a replacement from source.
The above advice is meant for people to use on their own personal machine, and is probably not a good idea in any other environment.
44 • Poll (by dragonmouth on 2016-07-18 19:35:31 GMT from North America)
Personally I want minimalist distros because I want to build up the distro to MY needs. I do not want the developer to be dictating what apps I can/should use. However, there is also a need for full distributions for the use of beginners and those that do not feel like mucking around.
45 • Multiple browsers (by John on 2016-07-18 19:57:49 GMT from North America)
Hi all,
I prefer small distributions with multiple browsers.
This box runs Knoppix 7.2.
But the browser I generally use is Dillo. Small quick.
For a few websites I have to start what I call a PIG browser. Seamonkey seems to work OK, but Firefox barfs and gets VERY slow.
An early dist. of Tiny Core Linux could load Chrome, Firefox, Seamonkey, Dillo and Opera. Most seem to have disappeared from that dist. for some unknown reason?
It was amusing and deeply saddening to see the differences. On Google sites Chrome was given MUCH better stuff from the sending end!! Responded faster, etc. Yikes.
At some point, many of us will discover we have been Googled into getting less and paying more for what used to be free!
Right now if you send me e-mail from a gmail account, it will not arrive and you will get no notice that Google silently deleted your note.
Try different browsers yourself on the same machine in different windows!
The e-mail crazyness will probably provoke our lazy government to finally acting on what is wrongly called network neutrality.
Bitchingly yours,
John
46 • @43 (by OstroL on 2016-07-18 20:28:36 GMT from Europe)
What would you do, when your "personal machine" dies? You get a new machine and start compiling from the beginning for the new "personal machine?"
What if you had created self-contained apps from your compiled apps, instead of those compiled apps and had them saved in a USB stick? You'd simply copy them to your new personal machine and be ready to go in a jiffy!
47 • Full - Minimalist or One app per task (by tuxtest on 2016-07-18 23:23:29 GMT from North America)
I prefer the one app per task system. We have some great system take this way...
Zenwalk is a great XFCE slackware version. The last version 8 come with many improvement. HandyLinux is also a good reference for the beginner in Debian World. I think many distro is a little bit big but not an overweight distro.
Personally I use Debian Gnome on my Laptop at day to day job and PCLinuxOS 64 bit at home as the main system. With the time he became overweight full full ):
I loved the last Slackware release and I will make a place on my Laptop. It's my first love....
Maybe a good test of Slackware 14.2 on DistroWatch soons ?
best regard all
48 • Is Lubuntu Minimal or Full (by denflen on 2016-07-18 23:44:04 GMT from North America)
I have been using Lubuntu for several years. I consider it to be a full distro, but it is very light and fast. (At least compared to most buntu distros). And since in the review of Linux Lite it was mentioned that ATI Catylist Drivers don't work, i wonder, without going to an older kernel, what distro does ATI Catylist Driver work with. I am stuck with a radeon driver...
49 • minimal or full (by rocket on 2016-07-19 00:19:51 GMT from North America)
Different people are going to have different opinions on minimal vs full distros. I use Slackware, Arch, and Freebsd, and theirs no doubt what those are. What about openSuse or Fedora, wich come with a decent selection but lack proprietary codecs and other things that people need to install themselves. To someone used to using Ubuntu or Ultimate Edition or Kali those would seem minimal. What about Crunchbang or Manjaro or antiX wich try to make their systems lightweight and simple but come with many programs.
50 • Problem with 3G modem internet connection on live Slackware and Porteus 3.2 RC (by gnomic on 2016-07-19 02:01:16 GMT from Oceania)
Attempting to use a 3G modem to connect to the internet with the recently released Live Slackware based on Slack 14.2, and a release candidate of the impending Porteus I find that no connection can be made. In both cases NetworkManager is provided. The hardware is identified correctly but the process of completing a connection to the provider with the requisite DNS details does not succeed. I have been told on a forum that ModemManager is broken with 3G in Slackware since 14.1. Haven't found a solution via the web so far. 3G used to work in Porteus 3.1 but now fails with the MATE rc iso. Anybody out there who knows something about this subject?
51 • Poll & Presto & Linux Lite (by ToeJam on 2016-07-19 02:45:58 GMT from Europe)
Poll: one-app-per-task distributions
Presto: GPL the best IMO, web browser engine. ;)
Linux Lite: "Of course, users who need to use the ATI Catalyst drivers or who need a distribution that supports Secure Boot and UEFI should look elsewhere." Yep, that would be me looking elsewhere. (Seems strange, the lack of hardware support, especially if it is based on *buntu.!?)
52 • @50 3G modem with slackware 14.2 (by ken on 2016-07-19 06:26:14 GMT from Africa)
Same problem from slackware 14.1, I was really hoping that the problem would be solved in 14.2 but that never happened. In slackware 14.0 3G modem worked with NetworkManager. This is one more example of regression in Linux world where things that worked in older versions of a distribution no longer work in new versions.
I use sakis3g to connect 3G modem.
53 • @34 - Peppermint "cloud based" (by Uncle Slacky on 2016-07-19 07:27:01 GMT from Europe)
I don't know why this myth that Peppermint is no more than some kind of ChromeOS cloud-only restricted OS persists - it's based on Ubuntu and has access to all the Ubuntu repos, so it can run quite happily as a "full-fat" system if required.
54 • minimal or full (by slingshot on 2016-07-19 07:34:31 GMT from North America)
For those who have already discovered Devuan beta, there are also a hand full of distributions which are using Devuan as a base. Devuan beta is systemd(eath) free, other than that much like Debian.
My 10 year old grandson uses Devuan on his laptop without issues, enjoys learning Linux and updates and selects his needed software apps without a problem. Think it would be a great find for anyone wanting to have a fast and stable distribution.
Currently using Zephyr-next-ob and Star-morbius-i3, excellent distributions. Links can be found on the Devuan beta website https://devuan.org/ or found at sourceforge.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/zephyrlinux/
https://sourceforge.net/projects/linnix/files/?source=directory
Personally prefer a small and fast distribution with only enough to get started, however you will find Devuan Zephyr or Star with a few time tested and popular apps on a small image size iso.
Highly recommend anyone to give these distributions and other Devuan projects a worthwhile look at, you might just like what you find.
55 • @54 minimal or full (by Dev One on 2016-07-19 11:44:11 GMT from Europe)
>> For those who have already discovered Devuan beta, there are also a hand full of distributions which are using Devuan as a base.<<
https://sourceforge.net/projects/nelum-dev1/
You'd find Openbox, Xfce, Mate live isos based on Devuan Stable and a Xfce live iso based on Devuan Testing.
>>Highly recommend anyone to give these distributions and other Devuan projects a worthwhile look at, you might just like what you find.<<
56 • Self-contained apps take much less space than "installed ones" (by OstroL on 2016-07-19 23:06:29 GMT from North America)
There was a mention that a self-containing apps with some dependencies (so-called libraries) within it would be larger than installed app in the distro.
Take for example Crossover ("Run Windows software with CrossOver Linux"). If installed to the hard disk, it is 214.3 MB, but created as self-contained app, it is just 83,4 MB, meaning it takes just 40% of the space.
57 • 56 Comparing apples and oranges (by dbrion on 2016-07-20 07:51:48 GMT from Europe)
Well, I suppose (no details are given about the way Crossover was installed twice) pieces of software already installed (say : fonts, wine-gecko for wine) are detected -> if you did not remove classical installed Crossover ***and its orphan dependencies**, the self contained Crossover, when insalling, is about to detect already existing pieces and not install them. As no details are given (there are at least two self contained applications), if this bet is real , it would show that classical package managers are poorly used by some users (leading to poor conclusions). BTW : I use *.tar.gz for cross compilers : it is much less smarter than a self contained package manager, and I know it uses a lot of disk/USB stick space... I know, too, this space greediness is not such a big issue than 10 yrs ago..
58 • @57 (by OstroL on 2016-07-20 11:06:03 GMT from Europe)
First of all, I don't use Crossover. I use Windows for Windows apps. (It came with the laptop.)
I only wanted to see, if I could get working (fully registered) Crossover to be moved into a self-contained app, and to check if it works. In the normal installation process, Crossover would be "installed" into /opt with a desktop file in /usr/share/applications. The folder in /opt is 214.3 MB. When its contents are rearranged and packed into one file, it becomes smaller (83.4 MB), for it is squashed.
The resulting file is unsquashed and boots up (starts) immediately, when it is clicked on. There is no self-contained package manager. It is done manually. You can compile a package from a .tar.gz or use a .deb or even a .rpm or any letters behind the . (dot). All you need is the resulting packages in /etc, /usr etc.
Regarding the Crossover app, it would run in any Ubuntu based system. There is a certain configuration to be done, if it has to be run in Fedora or Mageia or Arch or any other. Then, the self-containig app has to be recreated. This Crossover is sort of a propritary system, so I don't know, if I can upload the self-contained app. (Btw, I live in Europe, not in North America.)
59 • Self-contained application folders (by OstroL on 2016-07-20 20:42:20 GMT from Europe)
There are few applications that "install" itself into /opt and create itself a .desktop file in /usr/share/applications or the user is supposed to copy it the whole folder into /opt and then copy the .desktop file to /usr/share/applications. Most of us use them everyday. For example, Firefox, Google Chrome, Chromium web browser.
What the package managers of some Linux distros do with these apps pulled from their own repos is to put the whole folder in /usr/lib and then make links to the executable to /usr/bin and the that to the .desktop file in /usr/share/applications.
Say for example you had downloaded firefox-47.0.1.tar.bz2 and then extract it. Your Archive Manager would create a folder named firefox (where you point to be) and extarct the packages to it. Now, if you go into that folder and click on the executable firefox in it, the Firefox web browser would open. You have a folder with all files needed to run Firefox Web browser, and it is a self-contained application folder. This folder is 107.0 MB for 64bit. Interestingly, you download the 32 bit or 64 bit Firefox tar.bz2 file. You don't download it for Arch or Debian or Mageia or Ubuntu. When you extract it, you have folder with all files and an executable file.
Say for example, you use Debian 64bit system and you had downloaded and extarcted it to that firefox folder. Now download any other live iso, say Mageia. Copy that firefox folder to a usb stick and open it from Mageia and click on the executable firefox, the web browser would start up. This is a self-contained app folder. There is much to learn from the way Firefox solved the problem of creating an application, self-contained in a folder.
The same Firefox web browser turned into a self-contained app would be 56.6MB, ~53% of the original self-contained app folder.
60 • Packages between distros (by Andy Mender on 2016-07-21 09:10:17 GMT from Europe)
Inter-distro operability is a constant nightmare, I think. Arch Linux and Manjaro try to stick to the upstream defaults so that bugs are more easily tracked. Debian and Ubuntu are notorious for introducing major changes to packages, which make them incompatible with other distributions (symlinks, directory naming, library/file naming, etc.). This somewhat sucks as Ubuntu sets the standard for many vendors...
However, incompatibilities between distribution versions are also common, see openSUSE Leap 42.1 and Tumbleweed. External packages are mostly guaranteed to work with either, though not always both versions. I guess it's just the nature of a moving target such as Linux :).
61 • @ 60 • Packages between distros - Andy Mender (by OstroL on 2016-07-21 12:54:17 GMT from Europe)
>>Inter-distro operability is a constant nightmare, I think <<
That's mostly because of the different package managers of different distros, and the inability of the distro (package manager) creators to agree with each other for the common goal. To make Linux based distros more user friendly and to be available for the mass.
Only one group of Linux distro (operating system) developers moved out of this competing distro creators and made Android, which is now used by about 5 billion people, not even knowing that it is based on Linux. More users are coming in to Android every hour.
Interestingly, the original package manager creators had long gone from the distro, they made the package manager for. Judd Vinet left Arch, Daniel Robbins left Gentoo, Ian Murdock left Debian and so on. (RPM was created by a business company.)
Most times, the problem is "..battling with lack of clear directions and frequent developer conflicts." Something that happens in a democrazy.
While using these different package managers, whether you use the source or already compiled packages, you still have to be connected to someone's repository, someone's storage. What you pull from one such storage doesn't match the distro with another storage. Only Android happens to be serving few billions of people, using self-contained apps. Android is not my cup of tea, but Linux is. And, I hope there'd be more people create methods to create self-contained apps for Linux, such as AppImage or Orbital Apps. I'd be happy, if Ubuntu or Fedora would make their Flatpaks or Snaps really portable, without the need to install some app to start their app in the computer. This makes Flatpak or Snap not exactly a portable app.
62 • @61 - Packages between distros (by Andy Mender on 2016-07-21 14:03:19 GMT from Europe)
I agree that Android succeeded, because it offered a very streamlined and user-friendly environment for leisure and work. Linux is slowly getting there, though the progress is somewhat hindered by effort parallelization. The self-contained Linux app technology is young, yet we already have at least 4 major sources - Flatpak, Snap, AppImage and Orbital Apps. How are they different? Are they comparable in quality, security, etc.? Are they equivalent? Will more app providers/vendors appear in the nearest future?
Finally, I don't like the idea of downloading apps from God only knows where through the browser. I always considered this a Windows flaw and a vortex to malware. Using distribution repositories guaranteed that there are theoretically layers of utilities and people to validate the incoming software.
63 • A batch of portables? (by Somewhat Reticent on 2016-07-21 14:27:45 GMT from North America)
UALinux also hosts a "Linux UsefulPack", currently version 16.02, a 4.4GB ISO of portable app/driver/demo binaries.
64 • @62 Packages between distros - Andy Mender (by OstroL on 2016-07-21 15:42:55 GMT from Europe)
>>Using distribution repositories guaranteed that there are theoretically layers of utilities and people to validate the incoming software.<<
Isn't it exiting to download a .deb package from Ubuntu, repackage it to one executive file and use it in a competitor distro, for example Fedora? Or vice versa?
65 • @64 • @62 Packages between distros (by zcatav on 2016-07-22 06:56:20 GMT from Europe)
https://wiki.debian.org/Alien ?
66 • @65 Packages between distros (by OstroL on 2016-07-22 08:15:20 GMT from Europe)
Not exactly.
How would you use the resulting app in Puppy Linux or Arch or Gentoo or Mageia or any other?
Also, Alien is not developed any more.
67 • Packages between distros @60, 61, 62, 63, 64 (by Greg Zeng on 2016-07-22 08:17:34 GMT from Oceania)
Seemingly unknown here are the packages already prepared by the application coders, from their websites: compiled-Linux-kernels (http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline), Opera, Vivaldi, Slimjet, etc.
In my experience so far, double-click on the *.deb file will generally launch the process needed to install the application, along with any needed dependencies. Does this work for *.rpm files - I seriously doubt it, with so many RPM incompatibilities forcing the RPM-based distributions creating their unique versions of the applications.
Some coders show us the needed CLI commands to add to our distribution (qBittorrent, Crossover, Wine, etc). Most Linux application coders tell us to compile from the supplied code; because they have never yet known if it runs in DEB or RPM formats?
Ignored by the comments so far, are the few Linux applications that convert RPM to DEB, or DEB to ISO formats. Do they work?
68 • @64 @65 (by Andy Mender on 2016-07-22 08:21:53 GMT from Europe)
@64 said,
"Isn't it exiting to download a .deb package from Ubuntu, repackage it to one executive file and use it in a competitor distro, for example Fedora? Or vice versa?"
Most of the software I use is anyhow present in both Ubuntu and Fedora repos. The stuff that's not, like the Optimus PRIME add-on to nvidia-settings, cannot be transferred via simple repackaging, I think.
@65 said,
"https://wiki.debian.org/Alien ?"
Is the project still running? I remember reading somewhere that it is not supported anymore. I used Alien several times, though it's not perfect.
In terms of packaging and repackaging, I would rather use the openSUSE OBS and produce both .deb and .rpm packages to target the top distributions.
69 • @68 @66 Alien (by zcatav on 2016-07-22 09:52:49 GMT from Europe)
https://is.gd/n2BFan
It seems to be live.
70 • @67, 68 Apps between distros (by OstroL on 2016-07-22 13:13:13 GMT from North America)
It should be read as "apps between distros," rather than packages. What Firefox (or Wine or any such) gives is packages in a folder(s) sometimes packed into a .deb (or .rpm) or as tar file. When you unarchive it, you'd find a executable file in it, and if you click on it, the app would start up. Here you have the whole folder (for example firefox). If you have windows, you'd see in Program Files the same. You open an app folder there and click on the executive file, the app would start up.
It is the same in most Linux app packages, only the package manager would put some packages of it in /etc, /lib and /usr (and some more places) and a .desktop file in /usr/share/applications, which is linked to the menu. When you click on the app name in the menu, it'd start that .desktop file, which would start an executive file in /usr/bin, which would start some other executive in some other place, mostly placed in /usr/share or /usr/lib.
When you collect all these and repackage it into a one executive file, it becomes a portable app, which can be used in different Linux distros. This would simply take away the power package managers have over users, holding the users to a given distro.
71 • app folder (by Somewhat Reticent on 2016-07-22 17:13:21 GMT from North America)
Like /Programs in GoboLinux?
72 • Alien needs help (by Kragle von Schnitzelbank on 2016-07-22 17:18:28 GMT from North America)
Looks like the Alien rpm, dpkg, stampede slp, and slackware tgz file format converter { http://joeyh.name/code/alien/ } has been wanting maintainer(s) for 1-1/2 years now
73 • @70 Apps between distros (by OstroL ... (by Greg Zeng on 2016-07-23 00:09:06 GMT from Oceania)
"... What Firefox (or Wine or any such) gives is packages in a folder(s) sometimes packed into a .deb (or .rpm) or as tar file. When you unarchive it, you'd find a executable file in it, and if you click on it, the app would start up. Here you have the whole folder (for example firefox). If you have windows, you'd see in Program Files the same. You open an app folder there and click on the executive file, the app would start up."
Your "explanation is simplistic. The Linux *.deb files are much better than the silly Windows installation files. Linux will automatically (via apt-get, etc) bring in the required dependencies.
Usually they add some ppa lines, which then will automatically update these *.deb files as you update the rest of the operating system. Opera's ppa lines are wrong, however. qBittorrent (Windows-version) usually needs an ancient version of Python to work properly, unlike the Linux version.
Windows does not have an inbuilt "ppa" system. Windows has very poorly functioning third party apps (32 of them, which I list elsewhere on the Internet) that update the added applications, sometimes.
Android (another Linux system) has their inbuilt auto-update system which works, if you allow it, at each booting. However a few third-party apps (AppBrain, etc) are needed to update all the Android apps.
Double-clicking the Linux package (*.apt or *.deb) usually installs it, without informing the user on which files are installed, nor swamping us with rubbish details. Un-installing also frees up with rubbish rubbish details as well.
With Linux, the .desktop file SOMETIMES is created, depending on the brand of operating system. Often it appears in a menu system, which then can be manually copied onto the "Desktop". Otherwise we tediously need to create it.
Android will always show the .desktop file on the Desktop, whether you need it or not. Windows shows the Desktop icon usually, & sometimes other with other icons that probably need to be removed.
In your final sentence, which of the Linux application re-packers are you referring?
"When you collect all these and repackage it into a one executive file, it becomes a portable app, which can be used in different Linux distros. This would simply take away the power package managers have over users, holding the users to a given distro."
With Windows, this re-packing sometimes works, especially for "portable" applications. Using 7z, rar, zip, etc, re-packing into an auto-installing *.exe file is easy. However the desktop icon needs to be manually placed. Auto-updating the application is not usually possible. This is vastly inferior to what the Ubuntu-based distributions can do. Generally, when we are discussing Desktop Linux, for most users, we are referring to one of the Buntu's, such as Mint, WattOS or Peppermint.
74 • @ 73 Apps between distros (by OstroL on 2016-07-23 07:21:38 GMT from Europe)
Whose talking about Windows? What does "for example" means?
For example,
1) Download Firefox 47, unarchive it, look in the firefox folder, find the firefox file (the executive file), click on it. What happens? Firefox would start up.
2) Download LibreOffice, untar it, look in the libreoffice folder, do the rest as above, what happens?
3) Download WPS, do the same, what happens?
For example, regarding Firefox, carry the firefox folder in your usb stick, open it in ANY Linux distro, click on the file firefox, Firefox web browser would start. 32bit in a 32 bit distro, 64bit in a 64 bit distro,
That is the folder with an full app in it, or an app folder, which you can carry with you, that works in any Linux distro.
Now, if you want to know how to repackage it to a one-file, read about AppImages or Orbital Apps or Snaps or Flatpak.
75 • @71 @73 Apps between distros (by AndyMender on 2016-07-23 08:29:42 GMT from Europe)
@71 said,
"Like /Programs in GoboLinux?"
I think this is a good primer for portable apps on GNU/Linux. If each app is a separate entity (subdirectory) and has all of the libs properly linked from lower level subdirectories, it should be fully portable, be it .deb, .rpm, etc. That's a bit how Opera is packaged, except as Greg Zeng mentioned, some configs are broken.
Furthermore, I agree with Greg on the UNIX vs Windows packaging system. Frankly, Windows has only a crippled package manager that tracks applications like MS Office and Firefox, but not many others. Not to mention files being put into all sorts of random directories, from which they are difficult to remove. There are Windows installer standards and suites like InstallShield, though there is no enforced format.
I think what would really help GNU/Linux in the long-run is to make distributions compatible, because this is the source of all problems. Package management differences are a consequence :).
76 • @67 Packages between distros (by pengxuin on 2016-07-23 09:19:23 GMT from Oceania)
"In my experience so far, double-click on the *.deb file will generally launch the process needed to install the application, along with any needed dependencies. Does this work for *.rpm files - I seriously doubt it, "
you really should get out more.
77 • Apps between distros (by OstroL on 2016-07-23 10:03:17 GMT from Europe)
Here is another example. Go to http://bluegriffon.org/#download and download Bluegriffon for Ubuntu, which is a tar.bz2 file. Unarchive it with your Archive Manager. It'd create a folder named bluegriffon and put all files and folders in it. Open the bluegriffon folder and find the bluegriffon executive file and double-click on it. Bluegriffon would start.
This is a fully portable Application Folder. You can carry it in a USB stick and use it in other distros. Even though Bluegriffon is only supported in Ubuntu, you can open it also in Fedora.
This folder is 141.7MB, but if you make a one-file out of it, it'd be much smaller, for the whole folder would be squashed. Try and see!
78 • @ 71 app folder - Somewhat Reticent (by OstroL on 2016-07-23 17:56:41 GMT from North America)
>>Like /Programs in GoboLinux?<<
Thank you for pointing this out. Downloaded the distro and had a look at it in live mode and inside the squashfs files. It had been created sometime in 2014, and it responds quite nicely and fast. Had been reading lot of articles around it, for example this, http://gobolinux.org/index.php?page=doc/articles/compile
Still the interesting fact is that anyone can create an operating system for oneself, using packages from "upstream." Lot of interesting ideas in those articles.
Anyway, I am interested in creating some self-contained apps, which are needed for day to day work, or fun.
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| • 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 |
| • Issue 1066 (2024-04-15): Fun projects to do with the Raspberry Pi and PinePhone, installing new software on fixed-release distributions, improving GNOME Terminal performance, Mint testing new repository mirrors, Gentoo becomes a Software In the Public Interest project |
| • Issue 1065 (2024-04-08): Dr.Parted Live 24.03, answering questions about the xz exploit, Linux Mint to ship HWE kernel, AlmaLinux patches flaw ahead of upstream Red Hat, Calculate changes release model |
| • Issue 1064 (2024-04-01): NixOS 23.11, the status of Hurd, liblzma compromised upstream, FreeBSD Foundation focuses on improving wireless networking, Ubuntu Pro offers 12 years of support |
| • Issue 1063 (2024-03-25): Redcore Linux 2401, how slowly can a rolling release update, Debian starts new Project Leader election, Red Hat creating new NVIDIA driver, Snap store hit with more malware |
| • Issue 1062 (2024-03-18): KDE neon 20240304, changing file permissions, Canonical turns 20, Pop!_OS creates new software centre, openSUSE packages Plasma 6 |
| • Issue 1061 (2024-03-11): Using a PinePhone as a workstation, restarting background services on a schedule, NixBSD ports Nix to FreeBSD, Fedora packaging COSMIC, postmarketOS to adopt systemd, Linux Mint replacing HexChat |
| • Issue 1060 (2024-03-04): AV Linux MX-23.1, bootstrapping a network connection, key OpenBSD features, Qubes certifies new hardware, LXQt and Plasma migrate to Qt 6 |
| • Issue 1059 (2024-02-26): Warp Terminal, navigating manual pages, malware found in the Snap store, Red Hat considering CPU requirement update, UBports organizes ongoing work |
| • Issue 1058 (2024-02-19): Drauger OS 7.6, how much disk space to allocate, System76 prepares to launch COSMIC desktop, UBports changes its version scheme, TrueNAS to offer faster deduplication |
| • Issue 1057 (2024-02-12): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta, rolling release vs fixed for a smoother experience, Debian working on 2038 bug, elementary OS to split applications from base system updates, Fedora announces Atomic Desktops |
| • Issue 1056 (2024-02-05): wattOS R13, the various write speeds of ISO writing tools, DSL returns, Mint faces Wayland challenges, HardenedBSD blocks foreign USB devices, Gentoo publishes new repository, Linux distros patch glibc flaw |
| • Issue 1055 (2024-01-29): CNIX OS 231204, distributions patching packages the most, Gentoo team presents ongoing work, UBports introduces connectivity and battery improvements, interview with Haiku developer |
| • Issue 1054 (2024-01-22): Solus 4.5, comparing dd and cp when writing ISO files, openSUSE plans new major Leap version, XeroLinux shutting down, HardenedBSD changes its build schedule |
| • Issue 1053 (2024-01-15): Linux AI voice assistants, some distributions running hotter than others, UBports talks about coming changes, Qubes certifies StarBook laptops, Asahi Linux improves energy savings |
| • Issue 1052 (2024-01-08): OpenMandriva Lx 5.0, keeping shell commands running when theterminal closes, Mint upgrades Edge kernel, Vanilla OS plans big changes, Canonical working to make Snap more cross-platform |
| • Issue 1051 (2024-01-01): Favourite distros of 2023, reloading shell settings, Asahi Linux releases Fedora remix, Gentoo offers binary packages, openSUSE provides full disk encryption |
| • Issue 1050 (2023-12-18): rlxos 2023.11, renaming files and opening terminal windows in specific directories, TrueNAS publishes ZFS fixes, Debian publishes delayed install media, Haiku polishes desktop experience |
| • Issue 1049 (2023-12-11): Lernstick 12, alternatives to WINE, openSUSE updates its branding, Mint unveils new features, Lubuntu team plans for 24.04 |
| • Issue 1048 (2023-12-04): openSUSE MicroOS, the transition from X11 to Wayland, Red Hat phasing out X11 packages, UBports making mobile development easier |
| • Issue 1047 (2023-11-27): GhostBSD 23.10.1, Why Linux uses swap when memory is free, Ubuntu Budgie may benefit from Wayland work in Xfce, early issues with FreeBSD 14.0 |
| • Issue 1046 (2023-11-20): Slackel 7.7 "Openbox", restricting CPU usage, Haiku improves font handling and software centre performance, Canonical launches MicroCloud |
| • Issue 1045 (2023-11-13): Fedora 39, how to trust software packages, ReactOS booting with UEFI, elementary OS plans to default to Wayland, Mir gaining ability to split work across video cards |
| • 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.
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| Random Distribution | 
Thinstation
Thinstation is a modern thin client that does work on its own for basic operations like web browsing, managing removable media and printers, but rely on servers for major applications as well as administration of the clients. The clients may be diskless or boot from local media. Thinstation works as a client using X, ICA, RDP, SSH, NX, telnet, tn5250 and other protocols and works on standard PC hardware.
Status: Active
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| 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.
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| 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.
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