Linux Lite Forums
Customization => Desktop Customization => Topic started by: trinidad on February 23, 2018, 04:14:31 PM
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There is a lot of interest these days in the inevitable demise of 32bit OSs. After some prodding I began work today on a Debian 9 XFCE based Linux Lite desktop. I intend to base it on the Debian net install ISO rather than its own and package the DE separately, or simply set up a file download with instructions for modifications and package cues. I will automate the updater and mirror selector similar to LL but everything will be Debian when done and use Debian repos only with a few backported apps like the S/M checker and user manager. This is where I stopped today to catch up on my notes.
https://imgur.com/a/v1Oul
TC
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5700+ 32 bit users of LL as of tonight registered on hardware database ( approx 50% of those registered).. Unsure what % of those have no option but to stick with 32bit. So Happy to act as an Alpha tester when necessary:
Fuji Siemens Amilo Pro V3405 .Year 2006Processor: Core Duo 1600 MHzProcessor Model: T2060
2GB RAM
Intel GMA 950
Bon Chance !!
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I think MX-Linux is mostly already there, Debian Stable, Xfce desktop, cool tools, mostly newbie-friendly. Maybe a trimmed-down version of MX would be similar to a Debian net-install built from the bottom up?
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The reason for "reinventing the wheel" as it were is to be able to continue to offer the LL experience to new users limited to 32 bit machines. LL is unique UI and the support from its members/users many of whom are newbies and have been through the change over. For reasons beyond LL control, 32 bit will not be an option moving forward.
A way of overcoming this is to keep the philosophy / UI and moral support of LL but base it on Debian. A cut down version possibly but good enough to do the job and be reliable and have the widest c old hardware compatibility possible.
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Good Luck with it Trinidad. Her is cheer leading for the work you are trying to accomplish. I hope certain LL scripts will fall seamlessly into Debian file structure.
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Thanks @rokytnji . XFCE in Debian is not as fully implemented as gnome, but I use Debian every day so it's not as hard as it sounds to put something together that has similar features to LL. I want to keep the net install ISO as the base rather than build a live disk because it is convenient (cd size for old 32bit) (non-pae option) (free and non-free repos) to install Debian that way. Setting up automatic updating and mirror selection is not that difficult (simply modify a few automating base apps and scripts) It's not going to be a distro per se just Debian XFCE with an LL DE face lift. Mint (LMDE) is still stuck in Jessie which is disappointing for 32bit hopefuls. Also I use XFCE very little myself (only on LL and a few utility disks) so it's even a small learning experience for me. There are some advantages to a Debian base like debsecan etc. Mostly it's familiar territory for me, and I like old things, and Debian 32bit is going to be around a while longer, so why not use it even if it's just for fun, and make it look like LL.
TC
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even if it's just for fun
For me. That is what life is all about. Choice is always a good thing. This coming from MX 17.1 user and moderator on my Emachine 3507 motorcycle shop entertainment center and motorcycle manual holder.
I'll give your release a spin when it is ready. I can't promise I'll use it. Being a flaky computer user whose attention span is about acute as a bovines < bull/texas steer for those non english speakers > , < look! a motorcycle >. Something I like having on all my computers. Not big. But useful. I'm not telling you to consider including it ::)
https://github.com/hakerdefo/pmrp (https://github.com/hakerdefo/pmrp)
It'll work on Debian.
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Envious of those skills. :) Very much for the modern era. Think coding should be the "new Latin" in schools. Just looked at some open source lines of code and left in awe. How times have moved on;as they should though.
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@trinidad Net install means you have to download LibreOffice, etc. each time right? Will we be able to convert to DVD and add the ‘net only’ missing LL stuff?
Also, is it SystemD?
Chhers and thanks for this project!
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Also, is it SystemD?
Should be since Debian defaults to that. Being based on Debian. Logic follows. Net installs which I have done on many distros. Even Ubuntu. Make you build your own .
I even once made my own Ubuntu Icewm net install once. As a teaching tool for me.
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even if it's just for fun...
...Something I like having on all my computers. Not big. But useful...
https://github.com/hakerdefo/pmrp (https://github.com/hakerdefo/pmrp)
The Poor Man's Radio script is sweet!
I created a Poor Man's Radio Player menu item under Multimedia with the command:
x-terminal-emulator --title="Poor Man's Radio Player" -e "/usr/local/bin/pmrp"
I don't listen to radio much, since it tends to be ad-infested. But when the urge for a little random background music is felt, this works great.
Thanks for the tip.
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Thanks all for the interest, but as I said this is not particularly difficult and with 32bit the net install is by far the best option. It is boiling down to not much more than an instructional. Not terrifically difficult either. Should have it sorted and written next week sometime. Again the advantages are the longevity of 32bit Debian, and Debian stable repositories, and the small size of net install. I already have it running fine but I don't have anything older around here than a Pentium 4. Hopefully users will be able to sort through older non-pae issues themselves. Stretch XFCE is light but to get the LL look and feel some packages must be added in after installation.
TC
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https://www.slant.co/versus/2692/5001/~debian-gnu-linux_vs_linux-lite
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https://www.slant.co/versus/2692/5001/~debian-gnu-linux_vs_linux-lite
I found that reading the DistroWatch reviews gives a much better idea of a distro than the Slant "bullet points" approach, which is sometimes misleading.
Also, good Youtube reviews are hard to find. A lot are so bias, it's ridiculous. I saw one saying Arch was for everyone... nope!
Except having to take a breath before saying the full name, "Debian Linux 32bits XFCE Linux Lite DE Facelifted by trinidad" I'll give the ISO a spin when available ;) .
TriniDEB or TriniDOS for short maybe?
I have a PentiumM laptop lying around... and maybe my Atom netbook too.
Cheers!
Cheers!
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The slant article addresses existing Linux users feedback, which is not our target audience, so it's of little use to me.
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