Debian GNU/Linux articles through the ages.

[abarbarian]

http://http://fsmsh.com/2107

 

Debian as a desktop system (2007)

 

 

[abarbarian]

http://www.zdnet.com/to-the-space-station-and-beyond-with-linux-7000014958/

 

To the space station and beyond with Linux (2013)

 

 

[abarbarian]

http://rollingdebian.com/die-hard-debian-wheezy-in-antarctica/#more-95

 

Die-hard Debian Wheezy In Antarctica (2013)

 

[abarbarian]

http://raphaelhertzog.com/2013/12/30/the-debian-wheezy-handbook-is-now-available/

 

The Debian Wheezy Handbook is now available (2013)

 

A most impressive effort. In some ways a better offering than the Arch Wiki ie: in that it can be downloaded as a PDF, EPUB, Mobipocket. Now that is a great feature as you can transfer the book to a e-reader, which is most helpful if you are setting up a system and only have the one pc.

 

[Guest LilBambi]

I have the Online version saved in my bookmarks, and downloaded it here.

 

Plus installed the NEW version with dpkg using instructions here in sunrat's posting.

 

I had already run the Stable version and it installed version 6 instead of version 7. So I did this:

 

I used it to install it on my Wheezy laptop:

 

dpkg -i debian-handbook_7.20131230_all.deb

Selecting previously unselected package debian-handbook.

(Reading database ... 140708 files and directories currently installed.)

Unpacking debian-handbook (from debian-handbook_7.20131230_all.deb) ...

Setting up debian-handbook (7.20131230) ...

 

Then I went to /usr/share/doc/debian handbook html and created a favorite of the folder in Dolphin. Now can go in and open index.html anytime and read.

 

[abarbarian]

Debian Ported To OpenRISC Architecture(2014)

 

 

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTYxNzM

[Guest LilBambi]

OpenCores for info on OpenRISC.

 

The aim of the OpenRISC project is to create free and open source computing platforms.

The project strives to provide:

• a free, open source RISC architecture with DSP features
  
• a set of free, open source implementations of the architecture
  
• a complete set of free, open source software development tools, libraries, operating systems and applications
  

[securitybreach]

Very nice

[abarbarian]

MakuluLinux: Awesome Debian-Based Distro Ships with MATE 1.8 (2014)

 

Sounds a nice distro. Some new programs with super names included.

[securitybreach]

Nice looking default desktop!

[abarbarian]

Nice follow up to the Makulu article.

 

MakuluLinux Interview: Lead Developer Jaque Raymer Talks About Makulu (2014)

[sunrat]

Good interview. Ambitious, motivated and a sense of humour.

 

Personally, I would love to build my own desktop environment from scratch at some point, I have a lot of ideas for something new and special, and hopefully one day I will get that opportunity, but I am still a long way off from that.

and let’s face it, who does not like hippos?

Makulu sounds interesting, lots of options for DE and personalization, and Steam and Play On Linux included. I'm downloading now to check it out; as much for a first look at Mate as for Makulu itself. I've avoided most things Gnome related for years.

[abarbarian]

A Deep Look at BunsenLabs

 

 

 

Last month I discussed the late lamented CrunchBang, a minimalist Linux distribution based on Debian and the Openbox window manager. Although the original developer discontinued CrunchBang, a group of users have forked the project under the name BunsenLabs. Today I downloaded the latest BunsenLabs release candidate and I’m running it right now from a live USB drive on my Toshiba laptop. Here’s a brief FAQ followed by rundown of the operating system and how it functions for me in live usage.

 

What Does “BunsenLabs” Mean?

CrunchBang’s original developer named its releases after characters from the Muppets. For example, CrunchBang 11 was codenamed “Waldorf” after one of the two old hecklers who used to sit in the balcony on “The Muppet Show.” In that same vein, BunsenLabs obviously refers to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, the scientist who frequently performed bizarre experiments on his assistant Beaker.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Having previously used CrunchBang on my primary work machine—an old Gateway desktop PC—I find BunsenLabs a fine continuation. The look and feel of BunsenLabs is just a little bit sleeker yet still respects the minimalist design tradition of CrunchBang. BunsenLabs also retains the speed and responsiveness of CrunchBang. Right now I’m running the live USB with LibreOffice Writer, Iceawesel (with six tabs), and VLC all open and the total memory usage is just under 600 MB.

 

5 Live Linux Desktop Distributions You Should Know

 

 

BunsenLabs Linux

 

Remember CrunchBang Linux? Well, that project is dead. Fortunately, the project was picked up and given life as BunsenLabs Linux. What is this distribution all about? BunsenLabs Linux is built on Debian Jessie and uses the Openbox window manager (with the addition of the tint2 panel and Conky system monitor).

What is great about BunsenLabs Linux is that it’s a tinkerer’s dream. It comes complete with plenty of themes and Conky configurations so you can make the desktop look and feel exactly how you want...all the while not dragging your machine to a slow, grinding halt. You’ll find plenty of ideas for customization in the BunsenLabs user forums. BunsenLabs Linux can run on 32-bit, 64-bit, and even ARM-based machines!

 

The official Bunsen Labs site,

 

https://www.bunsenlabs.org/index.html

 

The support for the distro is worldwide with particular interest in Japan and Germany. The forums are very active and helpful and you have all the Debian resources to fall back on aswell.

One very impressive aspect of the home site is their DONATIONS section which I feel is very well done indeed as is their commitment to use torrents for distribution.

 

 

Downloads

 

If you can use BitTorrent, please do so as to keep load off our server. If possible, please leave the client open for a while so you can seed the files for other users. Via BitTorrent, you will also be able to download significantly faster – especially if you are not in Europe where our servers are located.

 

 

The cause

 

BunsenLabs is created and maintained by volunteers – we do this work because we love it, not for money. However, keeping the distro available online does involve some costs, for example, renting a server and registering the domain name.

No-one need feel obliged – or even expected – to make a financial contribution, and many people support the project in other ways, but if you would like to send us something via PayPal it will of course be most welcome, and help us to meet the costs mentioned above.

Thank you!

 

 

Funding status

US$ Yearly funding goals Operating expenses ~400 p.a. Reserve (1.5a) 600 2016 funding goal 1,000 Shortfall 0.00 2017 funding goal 400 Shortfall 0.00 2018 funding goal 450 Shortfall 349.51

As of 2016-09-01. This table is updated at irregular intervals. Depending on how the infrastructure and requirements change the funding goals may be adjusted.

 

This distro has gone on my list of must tryout's

 

[saturnian]

A Deep Look at BunsenLabs

 

This distro has gone on my list of must tryout's

 

Thanks for the link! BunsenLabs is awesome -- certainly my favorite Debian derivative these days.

[abarbarian]

First Look at Rhino Linux, a Rolling-Release Distro Based on Ubuntu and Xfce

 

 

Quote

Rhino Linux (formerly Rolling Rhino Remix) follows the concept created by Ubuntu MATE maintainer and ex-Canonical employee Martin Wimpress, who created the Rolling Rhino tool about three years ago to allow existing Ubuntu users to turn their systems into rolling releases.

 

It is not a fringe os  an it ain't Debian but it is based on Debian so this was the best place for it I recon. Seems that everyone these days wants a rolling release. About time they all caught up with Arch. Who knows they may even start to include or use Window Maker too.

[Hedon James]

1 hour ago, abarbarian said:

First Look at Rhino Linux, a Rolling-Release Distro Based on Ubuntu and Xfce

 

 

 

It is not a fringe os  an it ain't Debian but it is based on Debian so this was the best place for it I recon. Seems that everyone these days wants a rolling release. About time they all caught up with Arch. Who knows they may even start to include or use Window Maker too.

Just ASK, and someone in the Linux-sphere will make it so?!  Introducing WM-Live, a brand new distro/release of WindowMaker desktop on Debian 12 (Bookworm) base.  Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed Abarb....WindowMaker is gaining traction! 

 

https://distrowatch.com/?newsid=11908

Edited August 11, 2023 by Hedon James

[abarbarian]

23 hours ago, Hedon James said:

Introducing WM-Live, a brand new distro/release of WindowMaker desktop on Debian 12 (Bookworm) base.

 

Tut tut this is in the wrong thread. Mods do not move this as all mentions of Window Maker wherever they appear are most helpful in spreading the word.

[Hedon James]

1 hour ago, abarbarian said:

 

Tut tut this is in the wrong thread. Mods do not move this as all mentions of Window Maker wherever they appear are most helpful in spreading the word.

Oh, it's in the right thread.  It was a direct response to your comment "It is not a fringe os an it ain't Debian but it is based on Debian so this was the best place for it I recon." 

 

but I suppose a link to Debian WindowMaker could also be cross-posted in the "Fringe Distros" and your "WindowMaker" threads, LOL!  What else can I say....whenever I see a reference to WindowMaker, I always think of my BATL buddy Abarbarian!  You are WELCOME!

[abarbarian]

16 hours ago, Hedon James said:

Oh, it's in the right thread. 

 

You are absolutely right. I was concentrating on the Window Maker aspect and totally forgot that my post was in regard to Debian as opposed to just Window Maker. 

Mind you my post has now generated more exposure for Window Maker and I might take up your excellent suggestion that posting in several other  threads might be appropriate.

[abarbarian]

They say Debian is old hat and slow to move with the times. What a load of tosh. I'd like to see if Microsoft is working on supporting their os in 2038

 

Beyond 2038: Debian Strengthens 32-Bit Builds with Critical Patches  (2024)

 

Quote

To future-proof the “Universal operating system”, the Debian project is actively patching 32-bit software to accommodate dates beyond the notorious 2038 time bug. Historically, Unix and Unix-like systems, including Linux, have employed a 32-bit integer to represent time, counting seconds since the start of 1970. However, this approach reaches its limit in 2038, posing a challenge for systems reliant on 32-bit architectures.

 

Edited February 8, 2024 by abarbarian

[sunrat]

Quote

 

There are some complexities involved in upgrading what the Reg FOSS desk suspects may be the world's oldest running Linux installation: an OS install dating back to 1993.

The machine called chiark.greenend.org.uk appears to be a relatively ordinary webserver, hosting a bunch of home pages, a few mailing lists, usenet groups and things. People with no links to Cambridge University may have encountered it only if they downloaded the PuTTY SSH client for Windows from the author's own site.

What's remarkable about Chiark is that it was originally installed with Debian Linux 0.93R5 in 1993, and the same installation of the OS is now running Debian 11 "Bullseye", the x86-64 version, freshly upgraded from an x86-32 installation of Debian 8 "Jessie".

 

 

 

Upgrading what might be the world's oldest running Linux install

[Hedon James]

15 hours ago, sunrat said:

There are some complexities involved in upgrading what the Reg FOSS desk suspects may be the world's oldest running Linux installation: an OS install dating back to 1993.

The machine called chiark.greenend.org.uk appears to be a relatively ordinary webserver, hosting a bunch of home pages, a few mailing lists, usenet groups and things. People with no links to Cambridge University may have encountered it only if they downloaded the PuTTY SSH client for Windows from the author's own site.

What's remarkable about Chiark is that it was originally installed with Debian Linux 0.93R5 in 1993, and the same installation of the OS is now running Debian 11 "Bullseye", the x86-64 version, freshly upgraded from an x86-32 installation of Debian 8 "Jessie".

15 hours ago, sunrat said:

Upgrading what might be the world's oldest running Linux install

 

If those are upgrades-in-place.....WOW!  Confirmation that Debian is indeed the distro for me! 

 

But if those are "fresh upgrades", where the distro is upgraded with a new installation over the previous version, I'm not nearly as impressed.  The article is kind of unclear....it leads me to believe the former.  But I'm questioning if it's the latter.  You can't upgrade-in-place from Debian8 to Debian11.....you've gotta increment from 8-9, then 9-10, then 10-11, etc...  Which could've happened, but it reads like they went 8-11.  If my understanding is incorrect, someone please educate me.

 

One thing that IS clear....a server running Debian since release candidate status in 1993 is STILL up, running, and serving content to the web in a meaningful way, and is STILL running Debian.  Debian for the win!

[raymac46]

I've found that the best place for me to run Debian is on my old Thinkpad T430. Even though I run Debian Testing, it is rock stable and of course the hardware is built like a tank. I take it on holiday because it is so robust and nobody will bother trying to steal a 12 year old laptop. It also has a built in SD card reader so I can back up my photos.

[abarbarian]

19 hours ago, Hedon James said:

The article is kind of unclear...

 

This one is pretty clear on that point,

 

https://diziet.dreamwidth.org/11840.html

 

[Hedon James]

2 hours ago, abarbarian said:

 

This one is pretty clear on that point,

 

https://diziet.dreamwidth.org/11840.html

 

yep, pretty clear.  and I am impressed all over again!  but that fella's skillz are way beyond mine....he did what he did because he COULD.  I would've had to fresh re-install.  Note to self....don't even think about skipping versions during upgrade....just follow the recommended path for a blissful and uninterrupted experience!  LOL!

[raymac46]

If you are up to date in Debian release D all you need to do is change your sources over to Debian (D+1) and Bob's your uncle. Everything works after that.

[sunrat]

7 hours ago, raymac46 said:

If you are up to date in Debian release D all you need to do is change your sources over to Debian (D+1) and Bob's your uncle. Everything works after that.

 

Mostly true. I did have a couple of glitches with my recent Bullseye > Bookworm upgrade. The most annoying was a new dhclient.conf file was installed which killed my internet. Easily fixed once I found it.

I set a custom DNS server in my router so it's not a default setup and probably wouldn't affect most users.

[raymac46]

I have gone through at least 3 upgrades where I run testing , follow the release into stable, wait a bit and then go to the next testing. Never had a problem.

[abarbarian]

Free10: A Debian-Focused OS for Windows 10 Users Prioritizing Security 

 

Quote

If you're a security-conscious Linux admin or a Windows 10 user considering a switch to Linux, you might be surprised to learn about Free10. This Linux distribution offers significant security benefits while boasting a familiar Windows-like interface.

With a solid Debian foundation, Free10 makes switching easier while providing security benefits - not to mention no need to navigate around a new interface and risk introducing potential security risks! One of the key advantages of Free10 is its customization capabilities to meet your security needs. KDE Plasma-based customization options help meet admins' specific needs, from full-featured setups to interfaces that minimize the attack surface. Furthermore, with Flatpak support available within Free10, you can run applications in isolated environments, further increasing security by restricting their access to system resources.

 

Don't know how to quit Windows 10? This Linux distro is for you - and it's free 

 

Quote

The distro is officially called XPQ4 and offers rethemed versions of Q40S that resemble either Windows 10 or XP. I don't know if the developers intend to give this theme the Windows 11 treatment, but the Windows 10 option should please anyone looking to make the migration.

 

If you're a bit confused about the breakdown so far, here's the hierarchy:

• Debian is the base
• Q40S is the distribution
• XPQ4 is what gives Q40S the Windows look
• FreeXP is the version that resembles Windows XP, and Free10 is the version that resembles Windows 10

If you go with the FreeXP version, you'll even find the Bliss Wallpaper made famous by Microsoft, and a very familiar Start button.

 

https://windowsforum.com/threads/free10-your-gateway-from-windows-to-linux-with-familiar-comfort.353596/

 

Quote

For many Windows users, the idea of migrating to Linux can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. But what if you could enjoy all the benefits of Linux—its speed, security, and openness—while still basking in the comfort of a Windows-like interface? Enter Free10, a repackaged version of the Q40S Linux distribution that’s tailor-made for those who appreciate the familiar look of Windows 10—or even miss the nostalgia of Windows XP.
In this article, we dive into what makes Free10 a noteworthy option for Windows users curious about transitioning to Linux without the steep learning curve often associated with a new operating system.

 

https://sourceforge.net/projects/xpq4/   Download link

I gave this os a run . Added it to my Ventoy USB stick and fired it up. I must say I was pretty impressed with it overall. Considering it was running from a usb stick it ran very quickly. Initially after free10 had got to the home screen I had to make two clicks of the mouse to get internet connection which I thought was pretty slick no fuss at all.  With no pre-installed video player I had to download and install VLC to play a video. This took no time at all and the video played nice and smoothly with great looking graphics.  Though I could not get sound to work. The pulse program for sound showed everything looking as though it should work but it did not. The set up and look of the desktop was very modern looking but as I am not familiar with that sort of set up I found it a little hard to figure some things out. New programs with odd names etc etc not a great problem but it would be a steep learning curve for me.

Apart from the VLC install I also made a update to the os and played around with several programs all of which ran very quickly and smoothly as far as I could tell.  As the os does not contain many pre-installed programs the live version,only 1.5 GB opened up to the home screen very quickly indeed and I guess that with a full install the os would be very quick indeed. The Software Center is easy to navigate around and has good information on the programs it offers, installation of new programs is easy peasy. The hardest part being which of the many programs to install.

Anyone coming from a Windows environment and trying out  a linux os for the first time I feel would have a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

 

[sunrat]

1 hour ago, abarbarian said:

Free10: A Debian-Focused OS for Windows 10 Users Prioritizing Security 

 

 

Don't know how to quit Windows 10? This Linux distro is for you - and it's free 

 

 It's Debian Bookworm with Plasma 5 and a Windows theme. Even down to the Win 10 wallpaper; not sure if MS will be happy with that.

I just tried it in virt-manager. Seemed to work fine but I think I prefer Breeze Dark theme in Plasma. There's no dark Win theme here and there is one in Win 10.