Linux Lite Forums
General => Off Topic => Topic started by: bitsnpcs on February 09, 2018, 04:35:07 PM
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Hello,
this is my first try at making a Linux distro, I done it from the command line up.
I made it to try and learn some things about how Linux works, which I did learn some things.
I have not edited the desktop such as wallpaper, or added any software like a web browser, I will do some of those things another time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9UEMPS9DOA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9UEMPS9DOA)
I made it on Linux Lite, using VirtualBox.
Lots of first things for me that I done/tried out with this.
I made the 25GB VirtualBox machine then partitioned it, and formatted the partitions, enabled swap.
Then added the Arch Linux base for the distro.
Configured it for location, and keyboard, persisting on reboot, made a root, and a user account with less permissions.
Connecting to internet from command prompt pinging a website site for tests, I'd not tried these stuff before.
Then disconnecting the Arch Linux iso, and working purely from the base and booting from the my first try distro afterwards.
Afterwards installing the X windows server, from Xorg.
Then installing a desktop environment , MATE.
Then installing the display manager LXDM, testing and setting to start on boot.
Then installing a font set.
I made some screenshots at random times whilst doing it, in case either the computer or my head fried lol, so that I could look at them afterwards and maybe spot an error etc.
I made 2 errors, 1 was adding an s in a command where it didn't need it, after about 5 tries I realized this.
Another error was a command I used and the place I got it from had made an error and added an - before a word where it didn't need one, this took me about 1 hour to solve lol.
Afterwards I made a small SimpleScreenRecorder video for YouTube, which I hope is interesting/fun, it is shown below some the screenshots during making the distro.
In total time it took me 4 hours just under to make the distro, it kinda shows, as it is not very pretty looking and lacks any of added apps yet.
I would like to try some more builds with different desktop environments but I only found the command for adding MATE at the time and I wanted to do it this afternoon, so I need to do some more searching once Ive finished with this one.
(https://preview.ibb.co/evFv6H/mine1.png)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dPcmDx/mine2.png)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cOReYx/mine3.png)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cPCxLc/mine4.png)
(https://preview.ibb.co/k0JhmH/mine5.png)
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Tweaked it a little bit, changed wallpaper, changed theme to dark.
Added GNOME software centre for graphical software installs/updates, I am still trying to get this working lol
To fetch the software etc. https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Software
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Software centre now working.
Can we have this in a Linux Lite 4 ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWEfxu0chKM
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Then added the Arch Linux base for the distro
@bitsnpcs I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but you didn't create a distro, you just installed Arch Linux. I can tell by watching that grub screen in your video
*Arch Linux
Advanced options for Arch Linux
check my Arch Linux VM:
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2b1ysi.jpg)
Nevertheless, it's said that installing Arch Linux is for advanced Linux users only, so you must feel good by knowing that you succeded in your first try :) First time I tried like 4 years ago it took me quite a while to get Arch properly installed, so congrats mate ;D
You might want to read this http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/lfs/downloads/stable/LFS-BOOK-8.1.pdf this will teach how to create a Linux Distro from scratch. I've been reading it too cause I'd like to learn that, and as far I have, I can assure you it takes more than 4 hours to create one.
This is also a place to learn somes stuff on this https://susestudio.com/ here, you can create your own OpenSUSE based distro; name it what you want it to, add as much or as less software as you want, your own repositories and much more. I created one back in February 2107 based on OpenSUSE LEAP 42.1 The only downside was that I couldn't install it since Live installer didn't work, it was deprecated and it didn't work anymore. But it sure was fun. :)
(http://i65.tinypic.com/10wqgqe.jpg)
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Built on an "Arch Linux Base", as I have already wrote.
Just like Linux Lite is built on an Ubuntu base, as is Linux Mint, and many other distros.
It is not built line by line in openSUSE or anything even remotely like it.
Are you then saying Linux Lite is not a distro ?
It is built exactly the process how I built.
Then after this Linux Lite has spent many years heavily tweaking and improving the distro, by multiple programmers and developers on the team, it also created some unique Lite Software to add in to the distro too, which takes a lot of time and work as well.
I stated the time of 4hours because even I can see easily mine is nothing like Linux Lite or any completed distro, as I tried it alone and have not spent years on it.
I chose Arch base instead of an Ubuntu base, because I knew the trolls would start , like they do on almost every post I make, you especially have stalked me around the forum this past week.
I'll stick with how I am doing it thanks.
In free bits of time, as it's coming along okay for one evening, and is nicely backed up on an offline computer too.
I will leave the reinventing of the wheel or distro for the likes of you, as you seem to enjoy that.
Its good for you that you have done all these that 4 years ago.
If you don't like my first efforts , don't worry it is only the beginning LOL.
Look around in 4 years and we'll talk again ;)
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I applaud the effort bitsnpcs.
Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk
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Software centre now working.
Can we have this in a Linux Lite 4 ?
I'll take a look at it. What is it?
Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk
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Hi @bitsnpcs
Built on an "Arch Linux Base", as I have already wrote
Antergos and Manjaro are both Arch based distros and grub says "Antergos" for Antergos and "Manjaro" for Manjaro. Not Arch Linux.
you especially have stalked me around the forum this past week
stalked you? Hmmm I thought we were sharing music and stuff..but looks like I was wrong. Sorry if that bothered you somehow, that was never my intention. Won't happen again.
I'll stick with how I am doing it thanks
I never said otherwise. Do as you like cause I do as I like no matter what you or anyone else say.
If you don't like my first efforts , don't worry it is only the beginning LOL.
Look around in 4 years and we'll talk again ;)
If you read my post I did said "congrats mate" I applaud your effort and actually was kind of impressed.
Are you then saying Linux Lite is not a distro ?
Does grub says Ubuntu or Linux Lite? I think that answers your question. I'm really sorry if I bothered you somehow, I kind of knew I should've kept myself out of this and let you alone. Don't worry, be happy man. I won't bother you anymore. Again, I didn't mean to minimize what you accomplished which is no little thing, quite the opposite, but it's clear that you misunderstood the whole thing. Well, nevermind and have a nice life! ;)
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Thank You Jerry :)
I found it very difficult, but it was fun.
I thought it was a good way to try and understand more how much work goes into making the distros.
It is easy to not realize this when using a distro, so it was a good project for this reason too.
Looking I can see its like light years away.
It's a start of learning. I like to learn :)
I used the Arch Linux ISO then partition for root, home, and swap, format, enable, configure, then the Arch Linux base is downloaded from the prompt and the Arch Linux ISO is then removed from the Virtual Box.
The build is then done from the base files alone there onwards, you cannot reboot as there is no grub.
You download, add and then configure the grub, and other configuration pages and pages of the stuff, before you can do the first reboot after removing the Arch ISO or you have to start again, or be clever enough to know how to get back into it and I am not.
You have to download it as it is not in the base files, so you can choose which one you wanted etc.
It says they chose this grub as it is easiest for the first time trying.
Also they chose MATE and its why I only had the command for it.
Hope this explain to Moltke why the grub is as it is, eg I did not write the grub, I downloaded it and configured it.
After I finished with the book I then added some small bits of my own.
I used the "Definitive Series" on the "Linux and Open Source Manual", Volume 28 -
"build your own distro from the Arch base"
4 hours yes I can read and work fast when I am enjoying learning. I especially like to learn by doing projects, its how I got myself going with Linux Lite I done music projects, and GIMP projects.
@Jerry the Gnome Software Centre
https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Software
is like the Ubuntu software centre but made by Gnome , you can add in custom software source like Lite Software, and repos, it allows for installing software, OS updates, and security updates. I show it in use in the second video in the thread.
@Moltke I cannot be a happy man or Mate. I am female.
I can be a happy girl, and I am. :P
Yes, I do have a nice life, thank you.
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Thank you bitsnpcs. And for the record, I've found @Moltke to be nothing other than most helpful across the Forums. I'm sure this was simply all 'lost in translation'. I see no evidence of stalking, just responses to posts. Believe me when I say this that if I saw evidence of that, I would swoop down on it quickly. Cheers guys and girls :)
Sent from my Mobile phone using Tapatalk
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Yes it must be the case.
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Hi @bitsnpcs
Built on an "Arch Linux Base", as I have already wrote
Antergos and Manjaro are both Arch based distros and grub says "Antergos" for Antergos and "Manjaro" for Manjaro. Not Arch Linux.
I will add a name for you. It will be my username for now. I'll probably start it on Tuesday.
Basically they download a tool and it is used to edit the grub name and other parameters.
For a throw away project it didn't seem a priority to look that up.
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Pretty cool!
The only "homemade" OS I ever tried, besides a Debian net-install where you add all your own stuff, was a Xubuntu-Core minimal iso with selected personal favorite stuff added and edited. Bare bones on my ancient 32-bit desktop. I suppose I might have made it a micro distrolet and named it "RandomLinux" or something, lol. You have gone to a lot more trouble and built it from a totally different base! Good luck with it!
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Hi @bitsnpcs
Built on an "Arch Linux Base", as I have already wrote
Antergos and Manjaro are both Arch based distros and grub says "Antergos" for Antergos and "Manjaro" for Manjaro. Not Arch Linux.
I will add a name for you. It will be my username for now. I'll probably start it on Tuesday.
Basically they download a tool and it is used to edit the grub name and other parameters.
For a throw away project it didn't seem a priority to look that up.
You don't need a tool like grub-customizer for that, all you need to do is to edit: /etc/default/grub
$ sudo nano /etc/default/grubYou'll see this at the top of the file
# GRUB boot loader configuration
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Arch"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
Change waht this line GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR says and add the name you want to appear say "bitsnpcs"
Then run $ sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg reboot and you'll see your own customized grub welcome screen.
Like this:
(http://i68.tinypic.com/2zfpbb7.jpg)
(http://i66.tinypic.com/dono9j.jpg)
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2m6pe6g.jpg)
(http://i65.tinypic.com/15cg681.jpg)
Hope this helps! :)
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:)
@bitsnpcs
Excellent, keep up the good work!
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:)
@bitsnpcs
Excellent, keep up the good work!
@Scott :) Thank You
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Hope this helps! :)
It may have, unsure as I've already done it.
As you wrote I don't need a tool for it, I was looking at the tool, and it says to build it and I was not sure how to build from the package as I have not done this and there are too many new commands in Arch, I need to learn a lot more.
Also at each grub update it needs to be rerun.
So all I done was login as root and using the preinstalled basic text editor, I edited the
/boot/grub/grub.cfg
Simply changing the text of 'Arch Linux' to my own text, and then saving the file. it takes about 5 seconds exactly to do it.
Also renamed the machines in VirtualBox to save any confusion.
Also installed Virtualbox guest additions and utils inside it, so as to be able to use it full screen and also use the keyboard shortcuts.
I then show a short demo that it works now with video and sound.
Named grub screenshot -
(https://image.ibb.co/gUxLbS/grub_edit.png)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4_NrFQuoKY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4_NrFQuoKY)
Also started a, first try test machine v2, currently a clone, as I want to try some other things out.
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So all I done was login as root and edit the
Code: [Select]
/boot/grub/grub.cfg
Simply changing the text and saving
Well done! :) However, I noticed that the line for "Advanced options for..." still says "Arch Linux", that's because you edited "/boot/grub/grub.cfg" instead of "/etc/default/grub". grub-customizer is in the AUR repositories so an AUR helper should do the job of installing it https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AUR_helpers I use pacaur in my Arch VM.
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Pretty cool!
The only "homemade" OS I ever tried, besides a Debian net-install where you add all your own stuff, was a Xubuntu-Core minimal iso with selected personal favorite stuff added and edited. Bare bones on my ancient 32-bit desktop. I suppose I might have made it a micro distrolet and named it "RandomLinux" or something, lol. You have gone to a lot more trouble and built it from a totally different base! Good luck with it!
@RandomBoy Thank You :) it has been a lot of fun trying it out.
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So all I done was login as root and edit the
Code: [Select]
/boot/grub/grub.cfg
Simply changing the text and saving
Well done! :) However, I noticed that the line for "Advanced options for..." still says "Arch Linux", that's because you edited "/boot/grub/grub.cfg" instead of "/etc/default/grub". grub-customizer is in the AUR repositories so an AUR helper should do the job of installing it https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AUR_helpers (https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AUR_helpers) I use pacaur in my Arch VM.
Yes I was editing the correct file, maybe it can be done from the other file too, I am not sure myself about this, if you have tried it that way then sure it can be done that way too. :)
I didn't even look at it (second line of Grub) I have this idea - "he wants me to change the name of the build in the grub" no other lines come to my mind at all, only to do that line.
I have Aspergers, it is a HFA (High Functioning Autism) when I get focused I focus too much, and above it is a good example of that.
Thank You @Moltke for the help about the AUR helpers I will have to read the link about it.
I want to do some other things first. :)
Where I edited, and its result
(https://preview.ibb.co/hA79mS/cfg1.png)
(https://image.ibb.co/bQv9Ln/grub_edit2.png)
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So all I done was login as root and edit the
Code: [Select]
/boot/grub/grub.cfg
Simply changing the text and saving
Well done! :) However, I noticed that the line for "Advanced options for..." still says "Arch Linux", that's because you edited "/boot/grub/grub.cfg" instead of "/etc/default/grub". grub-customizer is in the AUR repositories so an AUR helper should do the job of installing it https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AUR_helpers I use pacaur in my Arch VM.
You are wrong yet again.
Correction coming
.......editing
I might well be. I guess you mean the part of editing /boot/grub instead of /etc/default I admit I don't know much about grub and/or customizing it. However, I grabbed that that tip from here https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GRUB/Tips_and_tricks and it does says to edit /etc/default/grub for any changes/customizations one decides/wishes to make..but then I might be wrong and if I'm wrong I'm wrong and that's it. ;)
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@Moltke Thank You for the this link too :)
I have a kinda headache I done too much last night up all night until 10am today and didnt put my spectacles on, as I was having the cans on (headphone type) for music, so I have a sore eyes/head lol.
Some music will relax it.
I will read through all the links though and try to learn things to try from them.
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@Moltke Thank You for the this link too :)
You're very welcome @bitsnpcs
I have Aspergers, it is a HFA (High Functioning Autism) when I get focused I focus too much
I do know what Asperger is, I am a teacher and some of my students have it.
Yes I was editing the correct file, maybe it can be done from the other file too
Yes, you did indeed. Like I said I might be wrong and you just proved I was, but it can be done by editing the one I used too just like the image I shared shows.
Cheers Girl! ;D
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Yes there is more than one way to do that it seems.
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Desktop Environment switcher/chooser now working in the login screen.
Just log out, select from the menu, log in to the other DE.
Of the 4 so far I only tried changing between Mate and Gnome3, and back.
It is not very quick to load up the DE when changing, but not really slow. It is set to run 2 cores, 4GB Ram, 12MB Graphics, as in the videos.
Also smaller still but it bugged me, sound is now stereo
Update -
now tried the 4 DE, Mate, Gnome3, Gnome on Xorg, Gnome Classic
Increased the ram used to 64MB.
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12MB Graphics
This is too litlle. You can increase graphics memory in Virtualbox up to 256mb; Select the VM and then click on settings, in the settings window go to display > screen > video memory and move the slider up to 128
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2lxh72f.jpg)
then move the slider for monitor count up to 8
(http://i65.tinypic.com/2w56hbq.jpg)
You'll notice that video memory slider now can go up to 256, move it up and click on "ok" to close that window
(http://i63.tinypic.com/33y540l.jpg)
Click on settings again > display > screen and move back monitor count slider to 1 and click on "ok" to close that window
(http://i66.tinypic.com/iy1z52.jpg)
Now your VM has 256mb of video memory RAM which will make it run smoother and faster :)
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@Moltke Thank You :)
I have done it now, it doesn't seem to make any difference in speed of the load time of the DE from the login. The desktop once loaded works fine speed wise.
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@bitsnpcs you're welcome. By the way, if you haven't already done so, open a terminal in your VM and type the following
$ sudo cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.bak this will create a backup of pacman's mirrorlist file, then do $ sudo rankmirrors -n 6 /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.bak > /etc/pacman.d/mirrorist this will update pacman's mirrorlist servers ranking them by speed - the 6 is the number of servers to be ranked and put on top of the file, so pacman uses them when installing or updating packages, you can use another one i.e 10 - give it a while till it's finished, once it is type $ sudo nano /ect/pacman.conf and comment this lines out.
#[multilib]
#Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist *delete the "#" symbol in front of it. If you don't use nano and/or haven't installed it yet, change "nano" for your preferred editor, or if you'd like to install it type $ sudo pacman -S nano to do so.
This will enable multilib repository. Now type sudo pacman -Syy to sychronize pacmans repositories and finally run sudo pacman -Su to update your Arch Linux VM. :) Arch is a rolling release system so you'll have to update it every now and then, once a week is ok. If you have already done this...well..just ingnore me please :P ;D
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@Moltke
yes I have already done the mirrors during set up, and to recheck it every few weeks/month, although slightly differently by using the Arch website tool for this, discovering the fastest and nearest mirrors, it was 8 mirrors, then added them in by editing and updating.
I have also run the
sudo pacman -Syy
and also
sudo pacman -Syu
I had not learned/heard of the
pacman -Su
command until your post, Thank You :)
I have just ran this it had 1 update of 2.5MB for man-db.
I will need to begin a book/pad for all these new (to me) commands I am coming across, until I learn them over time.
I'll begin it this week.
I have not managed to get VLC working either it is installed and the codecs Arch says it needs, clicking its icon doesn't open the program, and right context menu choosing vlc on an mp3 doesnt play it, says it needs mp3 decoder, but that decoder needed on reading and trying to install is already installed.Although I have tried removing and reinstalling that.
I have managed to get mp3 to play from right context menu using Mplayer, but it has no GUI appearing to control it.
So the MP3 playing I need to find more on trying to solve.
I have seen a nice looking mp3 player, I want to try out at a later time.
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@bitsnpcs You're welcome! :)
I had not learned/heard of the
Code: [Select]
pacman -Su
Yes, you had, you just didn't know ;) "pacman -Syu= pacman -Sy+pacman -Su. I just prefer to run both commands each at a time. One could also do "pacman -Sy && pacman -Su", but people simply do pacman -Syu which is of course preferable being shorter and since you can do it that way the extra-typing makes no sense.
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@Moltke ;D I like it.
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@bitsnpcs been trialling Gnome Software on my 18.04 test box. It's quite buggy, and requires Snap as a dependency.
That would also bring the total to 3 of software installers on LL. 2 is enough on a light system so one would have to go. I'm going to pass on it for now. Cheers.
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@bitsnpcs
Prologue, from an assumed Nerd/Geek with social aptitudes:
I'm not "diagnosed" but after doing some reading on the subject and having talks with a specialist (originally for my kids), seems I'm a 'functional' Asperger too. Things that changed though, I was a workaholic/perfectionist but with the kids it gives you a kick somewhere and changes your focus. ;) . Also learned that my mother is a lot more Asperger than me, which explained a lot.
@bitsnpcs and @Moltke
Grats Bits and keep up the hard work, but don't forget to take care of yourself.
Moltke, don't forget to get some sleep sometimes too ;)
Anyways, I just read the full thread. Quite educational you two.
Since I didn't have the Linux knowledge, I focused more on finding the perfect distro.
After about fifty different ones installed in Virtual Machine, like a lot of people in these here forums, I settled to Linux Lite as my main distro and Linux Mint for some friends/family (only for language reasons). I just have to do minor configurations/preferences to get it to where I need to.
Also want to send a general "Thank you!" to the Linux community / distro makers. I do this has a hobby and voluntary work, but I don't know how many hours I saved installing Linux instead of another "mainstream" OS.
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@bitsnpcs been trialling Gnome Software on my 18.04 test box. It's quite buggy, and requires Snap as a dependency.
That would also bring the total to 3 of software installers on LL. 2 is enough on a light system so one would have to go. I'm going to pass on it for now. Cheers.
@Jerry Thank you for trialling it :)
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I have not managed to get VLC working either it is installed and the codecs Arch says it needs, clicking its icon doesn't open the program, and right context menu choosing vlc on an mp3 doesnt play it, says it needs mp3 decoder, but that decoder needed on reading and trying to install is already installed.Although I have tried removing and reinstalling that.
I have managed to get mp3 to play from right context menu using Mplayer, but it has no GUI appearing to control it.
So the MP3 playing I need to find more on trying to solve.
I have seen a nice looking mp3 player, I want to try out at a later time.
You need to install these packages for vlc to work: $ sudo pacman -S qt4 pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa pavucontrol
qt4 fro vlc GUI, pulseaudio and pulseaudio-alsa for sound and pavucontrol to manage system/apps volume. To start pulseaudio service type in the terminal pulseaudio --start
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@TheDead
I try to take care of myself :)
I like Linux Lite too, it is my only installed distro, I use it daily. :)
I am trying to learn more Linux, so I may be able to be of use in the community in the future, many areas of Linux I do not understand at all yet.
It is likely many areas I have not even heard about yet, don't know they exist.
Doing projects or following a tutorial with an outcome is the best way that I learn.
I was using the Linux Bible but have gotten stuck as I cannot get the menus to appear when right clicking the panels as the book says, I joined Fedora forum to ask about it but nobody has answered yet, so I got bored.
As I was trying to learn then I felt I will start something else to learn for now.
I realize then it will take me a time to get back in to the Linux Bible, or start doing it again, it is disruptive to the learning my getting that way.
So I thought this project seemed a good way to sort of carry on in a similar kind of area, so I don't lose learning momentum.
I didn't understand the partitioning and formatting and have never tried it, I had like zero knowledge of it, in relation to a install of Linux Lite, and had not tried any of it. So the project helped me to be able to try this out, and begin to learn about it /try and start to understand it.
When I have seen threads on this forum about partitioning I couldn't learn from it because it was too advanced for me, and I didn't want to mess up my LL install, once I realized I could learn partitioning in VirtualBox and do a little project I thought it was a good way to start in that area.
So now although not good at this at all, I might be able to follow those threads, and learn some more about that area.
Also other things like the grub, splash screen, display manager, as I do more in the project, I will begin to know a little bit about them, and then I can follow those threads on the forum a bit better, and also maybe have a better idea of how/what to search to learn extra, idea being eventually in the future I might be able to help in those areas, not at the very advanced levels but maybe at some level, but I have to begin to learn it first.
Plus of course I enjoy learning :)
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Hello @Moltke
it is working now Thank You :) 8)
I typed in the first command, it said they were already installed, I chose Y to reinstall, then it worked in VLC player.
Maybe one of these was not installed, or not how it needed to be installed and the command has fixed it ?
Do I still need to use the second command now it is working ?
I am so happy about this help, :) you gave me, I like music a lot.
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Hello @Moltke
it is working now Thank You :) 8)
I typed in the first command, it said they were already installed, I chose Y to reinstall, then it worked in VLC player.
Maybe one of these was not installed, or not how it needed to be installed and the command has fixed it ?
Do I still need to use the second command now it is working ?
I am so happy about this help, :) you gave me, I like music a lot.
You're welcome @bitsnpcs Maybe you only needed to install qt4 for the GUI. Since it is working I don't think you need to do anything else but play and listen to your music. Glad it worked! :)
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It is stuttering when first played but if stopped and then started again it doesn't stutter.
The next song played also would not then stutter, have you heard of this before ?
I will add a video in a few minutes just uploading it to YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBqZdKHs3VA
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Today I learned how to edit the background of Grub, and also the Grub Menu foreground and background/highlight colours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm0s6DWZ6Mc
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Anyone who is willing to tackle making their own "distro" has my respect! Maybe most of us can "customize" an existing distro, or build a mixture from a "minimal" installation, but to do what you're doing is super-geeky-cool. My respects!
Oh, and you too, Jerry and Team!
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@RandomBoy Thank You :)
Each time I try and do just the smallest bits, it makes me realize more the massive amount of time and work that has gone, and continues to, go in to making Linux Lite such a smooth to use and refined distro.
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It is stuttering when first played but if stopped and then started again it doesn't stutter.
The next song played also would not then stutter, have you heard of this before ?
Keep in mind that it's a VM so some things might not work the way they do in a real machine. I really never install many apps in my VMs, at least not the ones I used in my real pc. I mostly play with customizations and stuff like that. For instance, I installed 3 different desktops in Arch; XFCE, LXDE and LXQT and been checking resource usage and customizations posibilities. While doing that I learnt that resource usage is almost the same for the 3 of them, but when it comes to customization posibilities XFCE beats them all, so yeah, if I loved it before now I do even more ;D
Today I learned how to edit the background of Grub, and also the Grub Menu foreground and background/highlight colours
Really nice work @bitsnpcs keep it up! :)
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Keep in mind that it's a VM so some things might not work the way they do in a real machine. I really never install many apps in my VMs, at least not the ones I used in my real pc. I mostly play with customizations and stuff like that. For instance, I installed 3 different desktops in Arch; XFCE, LXDE and LXQT and been checking resource usage and customizations posibilities. While doing that I learnt that resource usage is almost the same for the 3 of them, but when it comes to customization posibilities XFCE beats them all, so yeah, if I loved it before now I do even more ;D
Thank You I get this now. :)
I had thought when asking it may be an issue that needed to fix.
Really nice work @bitsnpcs keep it up! :)
Thank You @Moltke :)
On the video I notice, after the display manager, is the blue screen, is it a splash screen, and if so will removing it make it go from the display manager to desktop faster as it doesn't have to load this ?
Or it loads in the background and the splash doesn't slow this ?
I have installed GIMP now, using the Software centre. All working correctly.
Also I removed Mplayer, as it has Deepin player (not tested with video yet), plus VLC working now.
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On the video I notice, after the display manager, is the blue screen, is it a splash screen, and if so will removing it make it go from the display manager to desktop faster as it doesn't have to load this ?
Or it loads in the background and the splash doesn't slow this ?
I really don't know. You might look into it to find out what it is. How much RAM did you assign for the VM? If it is less than 1GB you might increase it to see if that helps. Did you enable 3D acceleration in the VM? If you haven't go to settings > display > screen and check 3D acceleration box to enable it, then click on "ok" to close that window and start the VM to see if that helped.
(http://i65.tinypic.com/14awh8n.jpg)
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Hello,
I assigned 4GB (4096MB) of RAM to the machine, 2 processors(cores), and I do have ticked Enable 3D acceleration.
I read an article yesterday about VirtualBox speeds on Ubuntu, he writes about the Power Management settings/profile on the Host computer, and that altering this is what speeds up VB guests, what do you think of his idea, has anyone tried it ? -
http://www.rawinfopages.com/tips/2015/05/speed-up-virtualbox-enormously-with-this-simple-tweak/ (http://www.rawinfopages.com/tips/2015/05/speed-up-virtualbox-enormously-with-this-simple-tweak/)
Unsure if it would help with desktop computers, he seems to use laptop, as he writes also of battery.
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I assigned 4GB (4096MB) of RAM to the machine, 2 processors(cores), and I do have ticked Enable 3D acceleration.
@bitsnpcs That looks good enough for me. I only assigned 1GB of RAM and 1 CPU since this pc ony has 4Gb and a dual core CPU, but it serves my purposes. Regarding the article, the system host's author was Windows, so I'm not sure how could apply when using a Linux OS as the host. By the way, I found this and thought you might be intersted in it https://sourceforge.net/projects/aryalinux/?source=navbar it claims to be and I quote a platform that one can use to build a complete distribution from source code
I certainly find it interesting at the very least and will definitely have a look into it. :)
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@Moltke we have already gone over this topic, although I can see it is interesting for you.
Anyhow Thank You for the link, I have had a look at the link, it does not interest me at this time.
It is not for beginners in Linux like me.
***
I forgot to state yesterday, and so for clarity, editing the grub, I used terminal, and a default text editor (pluma).
Tonight I edited the login page a bit, its theme, its images, and its stylesheet.
I used GIMP, and a text editor (pluma).
I made a cloned VirtualBox machine in case I messed it up, then done it just by a trial and error, until I was happy with it for this stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7TSIKCF6vM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7TSIKCF6vM)
Since video have also removed default language menu from bottom panel, so now bottom panel it has just the desktop environment selector on the left and the reboot/shutdown selector on the right.
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we have already gone over this topic
Ok.
Tonight I edited the login page a bit, its theme, its images, and its stylesheet.
Nice! :)
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Nice! :)
Thanks :)
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I re-edited the login page.
I made the new "Login" word a smaller font size, and embedded into the screen I made yesterday as a single component instead of 2 like the original login screen was. I have also made a GIMP template of this for future editing whenever I have some ideas what to add on it etc, so it is more time saving. Also moved this lower so the gap was less above the user menu.
On the bottom panel I have removed the icon for desktop spaces, as I didn't think it needed this icon for desktop spaces, the word desktop, and a menu of the Desktop environments on the bottom panel.
In its place I have added my own icon, just very basic and for fun/testing the idea about icons in the bottom panel etc, still thinking about how I might change that.
Bottom panel is now my icon, desktop, its menu on left, shutdown/reboot icon on the right.
Date still in same place at the top of screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ65MDkZUQQ
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I made a base and clones the other night, it is the arch base files downloaded into the archlinux iso, partition, format, configure, install grub, remove arch iso , how I done the above.
It is quick to make the build when beginning from the already configured base.
Then it take extra time for the editing and changes.
I decided on this method as I needed practice to make the base up, as it took me about 70% or more of the time first time around.
This time around the v0.3 lol, when I get to about version 4million (randomish number guess) it will be good.
I can use this now to bypass the issues with Linux Bible 9th Edition tutorial commands and Fedora 27, so I can at least move on from where I was stuck .
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v0.3 video.
Boot time from Grub to desktop including typing password 33 seconds, in VirtualBox on Linux Lite 3.2, VirtualBox is using 4GB RAM, 2 Cores, and 128MB Video.
Shutdown time 4 seconds.
I still do not have my graphics working fully on this computer, so this maybe can improve the VirtualBox times and image quality of video in the future.
Difference of this build try is gdm display manager, less mistakes setting up, tidied menus a bit, added Terminal icon to panel to test if right click menus are available, moved icon, checking for tutorial in Linux Bible.
Also installed and tested LibreOffice, Gedit, from the Gnome Software centre.
Edited Gedits menu name, Pluma is built/base from Gedit, idea was use Pluma for the text edit of system files, and gedit for the Python files as I will theme it. Python is installed, and I tested that.
Also ran command to remove desktop icons and for future to prevent them.
FTP tool is interesting so showed this straightforward GUI.
Accessibility Menu is working from the login screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ui72XXM9wM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ui72XXM9wM)
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I read an article yesterday about VirtualBox speeds on Ubuntu, he writes about the Power Management settings/profile on the Host computer, and that altering this is what speeds up VB guests, what do you think of his idea, has anyone tried it ? -
http://www.rawinfopages.com/tips/2015/05/speed-up-virtualbox-enormously-with-this-simple-tweak/ (http://www.rawinfopages.com/tips/2015/05/speed-up-virtualbox-enormously-with-this-simple-tweak/)
Unsure if it would help with desktop computers, he seems to use laptop, as he writes also of battery.
I always used Virtual Machines while plugged in if I'm on a laptop. Running VM is quite CPU intensive and will drain a battery in no time. With CPU clock speed throttling in new CPUs it's was evident he was going to have trouble from the start. It's like if you try gaming/rendering 3D on battery, not recommended. I don't get why he wrote a whole article about it. I could be wrong be it almost seems like a "click-bait" article.
Since it was brought up in this thread, I gave VirtualBox another whirl and was pleasently surprised. I usually use VMWare Player. I did some benchmarks/speed testing a few years back and VirtualBox was quite slower. Glad to see I'm switching to another Open-Sourced program in my tool box. ;)
Cheers!
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I always used Virtual Machines while plugged in if I'm on a laptop. Running VM is quite CPU intensive and will drain a battery in no time. With CPU clock speed throttling in new CPUs it's was evident he was going to have trouble from the start. It's like if you try gaming/rendering 3D on battery, not recommended. I don't get why he wrote a whole article about it. I could be wrong be it almost seems like a "click-bait" article.
Since it was brought up in this thread, I gave VirtualBox another whirl and was pleasently surprised. I usually use VMWare Player. I did some benchmarks/speed testing a few years back and VirtualBox was quite slower. Glad to see I'm switching to another Open-Sourced program in my tool box. ;)
Cheers!
You are likely right, I was searching for articles about VirtualBox speed.
I use VirtualBox on a desktop, (the specifications below my username in forum posts), I don't have a laptop, I use the computer only at home (but for a lot of time most days)
Good to read you have changed to another Open Source program :)
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I can use this now to bypass the issues with Linux Bible 9th Edition tutorial commands and Fedora 27, so I can at least move on from where I was stuck .
It worked how I had hoped, I compared the menus on desktop to those in the book yesterday so its why I thought it should work, and I've completed the tutorials in the chapter 2 today and its exercise at the end.
Still thinking (mostly) and doing the 0.3
Edit -
I have just had an answer on the Fedora forum, and the issues was Fedora uses Gnome 3 which doesn't allow right clicking the panel, and the Mate I used is Gnome 2 which does allow this. So it was a very useful answer as I understand why now and also that I hadn't messed anything up in the Fedora VirtualBox yet. It may be useful if anyone else is using this book in VirtualBox on Linux Lite, that there is a Fedora Mate.
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It took me awhile but now I'm sold to XFCE only distros. We'll see how Ubuntu's Gnome3 (I think) implementation goes in the next Final release (I only try Linux Lite's beta's the rest can wait ;) ).
Also, I see from your sig that you are in 64bits... I just learned today that some stuff is really different configuration wise from 32bits.
I have other things to learn too, maybe I'll get that Linux Bible. I got a Linux for Dummies at a garage sale last year but is was like 10 years old. At least I got a terminal-commands reference card for my 50 cents. ;)
Cheers!
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XFCE was the only Linux desktop I had used, and the only distro daily use was Linux Lite.
I deliberately didn't choose XFCE for the build, as I don't want anyone to think I am trying to be cheeky to Linux Lite.
Also by choosing another desktop environment it means I have no advance knowledge of how it should/could look, how other distros that use that do look, as I have not looked at these, and so on.
It means I can just play around with it freely.
As I built it up from the base files on the command line it meant I used the command line a lot for things new to me, and also that I used the command line for far longer time periods.
It was my first time to use the root tty line without using the terminal console, too.
Also have used the terminal and also pluma and gedit for editing of many files I had never looked at before on Linux, and didn't understand, I had to try and work it out by trial and error, sometimes I was able to find wiki info, but often I didn't even know what search terms to use in Google.
Even the tiny edits were very big things to learn, or do, due to this way of trying to learn it.
It is a good way to learn and not ruin my everyday used Linux Lite distro.
I hope it is fun/interesting for others to see, or gives them some ideas in their projects, and for what they like to do in their Linux Lite desktop or installed software. :)
I have never used any betas of Linux Lite, or any distro, Linux Lite is the only distro installed on the hard drive, I tried Ubuntu for I think couple of days and it auto updated and needed to reinstall each day as it messed up the graphics drivers, so gave up on it, and people in the LL community helped me to solve it. :)
The Linux Bible is a good book.
I also use the book "the Linux Command Line", I like it.
After the "Linux Bible" and "The Linux Command Line", when I feel ready I also have
"Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible"
Also I learn Python at home too, I have a 8 books for this, a sort of route I made up by choosing the books at a sequence I thought might work for me.
Eventually when Ive worked through all the books I might feel confident enough to experiment and try to make some stuff, or tweak them a bit.