October 17, 2024

154news

Latest Hot News

January 27, 2024 | SparkyLinux

SparkyLinux Incinerates the Hassle Factor | Review – LinuxInsider

SparkyLinux is a Linux distro that can ignite your daily computing experience. Its spark is pushing me to rethink my computing priorities.

Regularly reviewing so many Linux operating systems for Linux Picks and Pans has serious consequences for my computing sanity. Normally, I have a flirtatious episode with a new release each week. I’m always on the lookout for something new and shiny.

Then my flash-in-the-pan relationship flames out in favor of some other newly released rival a week later. I love the freedom of choice that open-source Linux OSes offer with each visit. I like the routine of downloading several promising weekly review candidates. I adore putting them through their paces and selecting the one with the best potential, thanks to some innovation or tweak.

On the other hand, I fervently dislike dealing with the sheer number of distros that try to reinvent the OS marketplace and fall flat in the process. Let’s face reality here. Open source Linux software offers so many options and design characteristics — Debian, Gentoo, Slackware, Arch, and desktop environments galore, ad nauseum — that it can be boring and repetitive.

All of those choices, I suspect, lure typical users to latch onto one favorite distro that works for them. Having found it, they stay with it.

Many base their decision on usability, performance and the hassle factor — you know, the glitches and anomalies that make a particular distro frustrating or overly bothersome to install and maintain. The challenge is finding a distro that lets you compute without getting in the way.

Enter SparkyLinux, an alternative to the myriad of options and trial runs into the world of Linux. In general, SparkyLinux does not target Linux beginners, although new users will find it easy to use and hassle-free. This distro is an ideal choice for those in the middle — neither Linux newbies nor yet Linux pros.

SparkyLinux 5.7 is uncluttered and has an intuitive user interface. It is surprisingly spry whether run from a USB or a hard drive installation.

What It Is

SparkyLinux is a GNU/Linux distribution built on top of the Debian GNU/Linux operating system. It is a fast, lightweight and fully customizable OS that utilizes the Openbox window manager and the LXQt desktop.

SparkyLinux is available in three primary editions. The Stable releases are based on the stable line of the Debian family and should be the starting point for new Linux users. The Rolling release is based on the Debian testing branch and offers frequent updates of fresh software packages that can make the OS a little less stable. The Development release is strictly for experienced Linux testers and is not a choice for typical users.

The developer also offers four specialty editions for different tasks, all with Openbox as default. GameOver is for gamers. Multimedia is for creating audio, video, and HTML pages. The Rescue edition is for fixing broken OSes. The MinimalCLI edition has no X server, so that advanced users can build and configure their desktops their own way.

Fits the Bill

Over the years, I have reviewed several of the SparkyLinux special editions. Among the three primary editions, the developer provides a variety of window lightweight desktop versions for different users and different tasks.

A few weeks ago, I grabbed the latest edition of the Rolling release of version 5.7 posted on March 6. The series 5 version, the Nibiru releases, began rolling out last July. It is a new snapshot of the project’s Rolling branch, which is based on Debian Testing.

This is the first of this year’s ISO images of the Rolling line, which is based on Debian Testing “Buster.” It is a full-featured OS that works out of the box and contains a selection of preinstalled common-use software applications for home users.

I had not planned on reviewing version 5.7. Instead, I was looking for a quick replacement for the discontinued Quirky Linux. I had been using Quirky on a USB drive for convenience and portability when bouncing around computers on various work projects. However, my positive experience led to this review.

Why the glee over rolling releases? This upgrade method pushes the latest packages and edition upgrades as they are ready without requiring a complete reinstallation. This approach is a big convenience, especially if you’re running SparkyLinux from a USB drive.

Rolling Update and Portability Too

Quirky Linux was a Linux-on-a-stick derivative of Puppy Linux. Although Puppy Linux and other offshoot distros still exist, I was drawn to the rolling release potential on a USB drive installation.

Being able to pop a USB stick into any computer I use remains part of my work routine. It is a workable solution and a better alternative to carrying around my own hardware when my location deadheads to a room filled with other people’s gear.

SparkyLinux Nibiru’s rolling update capability adds to the convenience by eliminating the need to create updated versions of the portable OS periodically. Installing Linux distros to a USB drive can have its drawbacks.

One of the big ones is the need to use special frugal installation tactics. Another is having to create and use multiple partitions on the USB drive to save personal data and configuration changes as persistent memory.

Usually, the USB installation merely creates a live session environment, much like using a DVD session. That eliminates the ability to save configurations and personal data. Not so with SparkyLinux.

Best of Two Linux Worlds

SparkyLinux is not a Puppy Linux wanna-be distro. Like Puppy Linux-style distros, you can run it from a thumb drive, and like Puppy Linux, SparkyLinux initially loads into available RAM on the host computer for speedy performance. Unlike Puppy Linux strategies, SparkyLinux does not use a frugal installation or require special antics to provide persistent memory on the USB storage device.

SparkyLinux is intended to be fully hard-drive based. Regardless, I was curious to see how well the rolling updates, paired with a full installation on a USB drive, would solve my need for a reliable portable Linux OS. The fact that I could do a full installation to a hard drive was merely a huge added benefit.

I installed SparkyLinux 5.7 to an 8GB USB drive, unsure of the storage size adequacy and the performance. That process involved installing GRUB on the USB drive.

I already had my computers configured to boot from DVD or USB drives, so all I had to do was turn on the computer, press the appropriate key to not boot from the hard drive, and press the enter key to boot the SparkyLinux option I wanted directly from the USB drive.

No matter what changes I made to the configuration — add/remove software, change desktop backgrounds, alter system preferences, or save files to the USB drive — those changes were retained on the USB drive on subsequent reboots. Even better, regardless of whatever computer I booted that SparkyLinux USB drive from, SparkyLinux appeared on the screen exactly the way it appeared in my last session on a different computer.

Unlike with other distro options, no tweaking was required. There was no need to make screen resolution adjustments or re-establish Internet connection settings each time I booted from the USB drive placed in another computer.

What’s Next?

That was a pleasant surprise. SparkyLinux performed with the USB installation far better than any other portable Linux-on-a-stick distros I’ve used over the years. SparkyLinux’s USB installation worked so well I used it on multiple computers for weeks without missing a beat.

The takeaway from that USB-based performance is that SparkyLinux installed on a hard drive can compute circles around many other Linux distros and at least keep an even track record with the rest.

I know that from actually putting SparkyLinux 5.7 Testing release on an aging computer. The LXQt and Openbox combination runs fine on legacy gear with at least 256MB of RAM and 10 GB of hard drive space.

Remember, the intent of the developer is to use SparkyLinux as a normal, full installation on the hard drive. I may very well put SparkyLinux on the hard drives of several computers, but right now, I am getting all the functionality I need from the USB installation.

I will dual-boot some Sparky installations rather than replace other existing distros dedicated on those machines, but I definitely will burn a new SparkyLinux installation to a 32GB USB drive to ensure that I do not run into storage limitations down the road.

My bigger personal dilemma now, as I hinted at the beginning of this review, is how to handle my mainstream computing platforms.

Streamlined Inventory

Until last year, SparkyLinux offered many editions and development branches with a wide range of desktop environments. This provided users with a dozen or more different download options.

However, due to time constraints and a refocusing on a core product, the developer retired most of the choices. The result is a trimmed-down inventory based solely on one main, Openbox-based desktop in combination with two similar lightweight desktops.

The first option is with LXQt for the Rolling edition or LXDE for the Stable edition. A second option is MinimalGUI (Openbox)/MinimalCLI as a text-based edition that lets you install a desktop with a small set of apps. The third choice is the Special Editions with Openbox, as noted above.

I installed the Google Chrome browser. Much of my work routine is embedded in the Google infrastructure. I was pleased to discover that even with an 8GB USB drive to hold it, Chrome did not tax the performance.

I was additionally pleased to discover that I did not have to compromise on performance or other restrictions in my regular daily computing routine with SparkyLinux. It comes with my needed essentials preinstalled:

  • LibreOffice version 6.1.5.2
  • Skanlite, a KDE-based scanning application based on libksane
  • Take a Screenshot app

It also comes with a bevy of system tools and accessory apps.

SparkyLinux 5.7 has a second menu launched with a right-click anywhere on the desktop. Shown here is the cascading menu filled with an abundant inventory of system tools.

Adding to the Mix

SparkyLinux comes with a few basic tools, along with some of the most popular productivity applications. The text editor is FeatherPad, a lightweight, plain-text app with a tabbed interface. Also included are the file manager (PCManFM), a screenshot utility, an image viewer (LXImage-QT), a Firefox Web browser, and several terminal emulators (gExec, XTerm, and UXTerm).

I had to install only two applications essential to my workflow: GIMP image editor and Geany IDE Editor. Both up and running from the USB drive to RAM did not impair the OS’ performance.

SparkyLinux uses the Synaptic Package Manager to add/remove non-system applications. For rolling updates and system maintenance, SparkyLinux has Sparky APTus.

This is a collection of small scripts to manage the system’s packages. It is basically a front end that automates the process of downloading and installing system packages.

Highlighting the Sparky Experience

Installing SparkyLinux to the 8GB USB stick took nearly 45 minutes. The suggested time frame is 15-30 minutes. The process was straightforward. Ample videos and Wiki documentation are available on the developer’s website to walk you through the installation.

For what it is worth, the online documentation about how to install SparkyLinux to a USB drive may be a bit outdated for this latest release. Even though the directions tell you to create three partitions on the USB drive — one for the OS, one for the home directory, and one for the swap space — I deliberately did not do that.

The installer includes a partitioning tool, but I did not use it. Everything worked fine using the USB installer tool in the live session DVD I burned from the downloaded SparkyLinux ISO file.

When I rebooted after installation, the system asked if I wanted to do an upgrade. That process using APTus went smoothly but took another 30 minutes. The installation and upgrade intervals are the result of the slower writing speeds to the USB drive.

Subsequent logons brought fewer upgrades. The shorter download and install list made for quicker completion.

No setup was required other than clicking on the clock applet in the bottom panel to select 12-hour and change the orientation of the date and time in the panel display. The hardwired Internet connection was automatic. Same for the mouse.

Settings tips:

  • Go to the Main Menu/Preferences/LXQt Settings to make selections;
  • Go to Firewall Configuration to enable the firewall;
  • Go to Openbox Configuration Manager to finish setting up the look and feel of the OS; and
  • Go to Desktop Preferences panel and click the Advanced tab to select which system icons to display on the desktop.

Look and Feel

The developer modified the LXQt desktop environment in SparkyLinux to provide a clean, simple, and traditional graphical session. The bottom panel is pleasantly uncluttered.

The show desktop icon is on the far right. To its left is the date/time display. Further left is the audio control, an applet to manage media devices, an applet for Internet access status, and the Qlipper clipboard icon.

The desktop switcher and the main menu button hug the left end of the panel. The switcher is preconfigured with only two virtual workspaces. You can change this default setting in Openbox Configuration Manager.

Scrolling the mouse wheel on the desktop switches workspaces. Or you can click the workplace switcher applet on the panel. Even better, you can spin the mouse wheel with the pointer on any open area of the desktop to cycle through workspaces.

You must manually point the wallpaper changer tool to the default location (/opt/artwork). The file manager browser window does not point to this location by default.

Changing desktop background images is not intuitive. Images are stored in /opt/artwork. You must navigate through system folders to get there from within the desktop preferences panel. An easier configuration would be to have the browse button within this panel default to that location. Instead, you must do this manually.

Bottom Line

SparkyLinux gives you an operating system that is out-of-the-box and ready for use. It comes with multimedia plugins, selected sets of apps, and its own custom tools to ease different tasks.

SparkyLinux is a well-thought-out Linux OS. It has straightforward controls that let you get your work done without distractions. The user interface is friendly, intuitive, and efficient.

SparkyLinux is a very functional Linux OS. It is a solid choice for use as an all-purpose home edition with all the tools, codecs, plugins, and drivers preinstalled.

You may not need the USB installation. However, if your computer runs Microsoft Windows or another Linux distro, putting SparkyLinux on a USB stick is much easier than setting up a dual boot on the hard drive or replacing whatever is running on that computer already.

Suggest a Review

Is there a Linux software application or distro you’d like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know?

Email your ideas to me, and I’ll consider them for a future column.

And use the Reader Comments feature below to provide your input!

January 27, 2024 | SparkyLinux

SparkyLinux 7.2 ‘Orion Belt’, a Debian-based system, is your ultimate Windows 11 alternative – BetaNews

npressfetimg-174.png

“Unleash the Power of SparkyLinux 7.2 “Orion Belt”: Latest Update Offers Enhanced Features and Unmatched Compatibility with Debian 12!”

Get ready for a transformative experience with SparkyLinux 7.2 “Orion Belt” – the highly anticipated update of the renowned Debian-based distribution. Boasting an array of improvements and new features, this update solidifies SparkyLinux’s reputation as a leader in the Linux world.

As the quarterly updated point release, Sparky 7.2 seamlessly integrates with Debian 12 “Bookworm,” ensuring the reliability and stability that users have come to expect. And with all packages refreshed from both Debian and Sparky stable repositories, this update is sure to elevate your computing experience.

One of the most significant changes in this release is the update to the Linux kernel for PC users, now at version 6.1.55, with Sparky-specific versions (6.6.4-sparky and 5.15.141-LTS-sparky) available in the Sparky repositories. ARM devices also receive a kernel update to version 6.1.58, making Sparky 7.2 accessible to a wider range of hardware.

But that’s not all – get ready to revamp your productivity with the latest versions of key software like LibreOffice 7.4.7, Calamares 3.2.61 for simplified installations, and updated desktop environments (KDE Plasma 5.27.5, LXQt 1.2.0, MATE 1.26, Xfce 4.18, and Openbox 3.6.1).

For all your web and media needs, Sparky 7.2 has you covered with updates to Firefox, Thunderbird for email, VLC for media playback, and Exaile for music management. And with updated ARMHF and ARM64 images, you can experience SparkyLinux on a variety of hardware configurations.

Choose from various versions tailored to your needs and hardware – from amd64 systems with BIOS/UEFI+Secure Boot (Xfce, LXQt, MATE, KDE Plasma, MinimalGUI, and MinimalCLI) to older i686 non-pae BIOS/UEFI systems (MinimalGUI and MinimalCLI) to ARMHF and ARM64 (Openbox and CLI).

All in all, SparkyLinux 7.2 “Orion Belt” promises a breathtaking experience for both Linux enthusiasts and those looking for an alternative to Windows 11. Don’t miss out – head to the SparkyLinux website now to download your copy of Sparky 7.2 and embark on your Linux journey today!

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiQmh0dHBzOi8vYmV0YW5ld3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMTIvMDcvc3Bhcmt5bGludXgtNzItb3Jpb24tbGludXgtc3Bhcmt5L9IBAA?oc=5

January 27, 2024 | Kali

Kali Linux 2023.4 released with GNOME 45 and 15 new tools – BleepingComputer

Kali Linux 2023.4, the fourth and final version of 2023, is now available for download, with fifteen new tools and the GNOME 45 desktop environment.

Kali Linux is a Linux distribution created for ethical hackers and cybersecurity professionals to perform penetration testing, security audits, and research against networks.

With this final release of 2023, the Kali Team says there are not many new features added to the core operating system, but they did bundle fifteen new tools, and the distro now ships with the GNOME 45 desktop environment.

Fifteen new tools in Kali Linux 2023.4

We say it with every release, but it wouldn’t be a new Kali Linux release without some new tools toys to play with.

Below are the fifteen new tools added in Kali 2023.4:

  • cabby – TAXII client implementation
  • cti-taxii-client – TAXII 2 client library
  • enum4linux-ng – Next generation version of enum4linux with additional features (a Windows/Samba enumeration tool)
  • exiflooter – Finds geolocation on all image URLs and directories
  • h8mail – Email OSINT & Password breach hunting tool
  • Havoc – Modern and malleable post-exploitation command and control framework
  • OpenTAXII – TAXII server implementation
  • PassDetective – Scans shell command history to detect mistakenly written passwords, API keys, and secrets
  • Portspoof – All 65535 TCP ports are always open & emulates services
  • Raven – Lightweight HTTP file upload service
  • ReconSpider – Most Advanced Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Framework
  • rling – RLI Next Gen (Rling), a faster multi-threaded, feature rich alternative to rli
  • Sigma-Cli – List and convert Sigma rules into query languages
  • sn0int – Semi-automatic OSINT framework and package manager
  • SPIRE – SPIFFE Runtime Environment is a toolchain of APIs for establishing trust between software systems

In addition to the new tools, Kali says they upgraded the Kernel version to 6.3.7.

GNOME 45 is here

If you prefer using GNOME over KDE, you will be happy to learn that Kali Linux now comes with GNOME 45.

GNOME 45, code-named “Rīga,” was released in September 2023, bringing new refinements to the interface and increasing performance.

GNOME 45 in Kali Linux
Source: Kali

Here are some of the features highlighted by the Kali Team:

  • Full-height sidebars in many updated apps
  • Highly improved speed of search in nautilus file manager
    • Unfortunately the update for nautilus was not ready for this release, but it will arrive as a later update soon
  • Improved settings** app (gnome-control-center)
  • Updated color-schemes for gnome-text-editor
  • Updated themes for shell, libadwaita, gtk-3 and gtk-4
  • Updated gnome-shell extensions
  • Shell updates, including a new workspace indicator, replacing the previous “Activities” button
    • It is also possible to scroll your mouse wheel while hovering over the indicator to switch between workspaces

New builds and deployment options

The Kali Team has also created new builds and made them available on various platforms.

Starting with Kali Linux 2023.4, both Kali Linux AMD64 and ARM64 on Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure marketplaces allowing you to easily deploy Kali to the cloud the way you want.

The devs warn that while ARM64 is increasingly supported by the operating system, not all of its packages are supported under this architecture. So, using an ARM64 distro may make some packages unavailable.

The Kali Team has also added support for deploying Kali Linux on Hyper-V using Vagrant.

“If you are not too familiar with Vagrant, think of it as a command-line interface for VMware, VirtualBox, and now Hyper-V,” explains the Kali Team.

Finally, you can now install Kali Linux on Raspberry Pi 5 through a new dedicated image or by building it yourself.

How to get Kali Linux 2023.4

To start using Kali Linux 2023.4, you can upgrade your existing installation, select a platform, or directly download ISO images for new installs and live distributions.

For those updating from a previous version, you can use the following commands to upgrade to the latest version.

echo "deb http://http.kali.org/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free non-free-firmware" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list

sudo apt update && sudo apt -y full-upgrade

cp -vrbi /etc/skel/. ~/

[ -f /var/run/reboot-required ] && sudo reboot -f

If you are running Kali on the Windows Subsystem for Linux, upgrade to WSL2 for a better experience, including the ability to use graphical apps.

You can check the WSL version used by Kali with the ‘wsl -l -v’ command in a Windows command prompt.

Once done upgrading, you can check if the upgrade was successful by using the following command:

grep VERSION /etc/os-release

Checking version of Kali Linux
Source: BleepingComputer

You can view the complete changelog for Kali 2023.4 on Kali’s website.

January 27, 2024 | Fedora

“Introducing Fedora Linux 39: Experience the Latest GNOME 45 Update – BetaNews”

npressfetimg-173.png

Farewell Fedora Core 1, Hello Fedora Linux 39: Celebrating 20 years of Versatility and Innovation

Discover What’s New in Fedora Linux 39: Evolutionary Enhancements and Exciting Updates

From GNOME 45 to Cloud Deployment: A Closer Look at the Features of Fedora Linux 39

Rewriting Two Decades of Success: The Story of Fedora Linux 39

Revolutionize Your Operating System with Fedora Linux 39: The Ultimate User Experience

Experience the Best of Open Source: Fedora Linux 39 Launches with Cutting-Edge Features

Step into the Future with Fedora Linux 39: Celebrating 20 Years of Innovation

Unleash the Power of Fedora Linux 39: Where Functionality and Aesthetics Meet

Farewell to Adwaita-qt and QGnomePlatform: Fedora Linux 39 Embraces Change

Upgrade Your System with Fedora Linux 39: The Most Advanced Operating System Yet

Take a Closer Look at Fedora Linux 39: A Comprehensive and Versatile Operating System

Join the Celebration: Fedora Linux 39 Marks 20 Years of Open Source Excellence

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiOWh0dHBzOi8vYmV0YW5ld3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMTEvMDcvZmVkb3JhLWxpbnV4LTM5LWdub21lLTQ1L9IBAA?oc=5

January 27, 2024 | Fedora

“Experience Unparalleled Speed with the Latest Release of Fedora Linux 39 – ZDNet Unleashes the Power of this Cutting-Edge Update”

npressfetimg-172.png

“Experience Unmatched Speed with Fedora 39 – The Latest Release of the Open-Source Linux Desktop”

“Discover Unbeatable Speed with Fedora 39 – The Finest Release Yet for the Open-Source Community”

“Revolutionize Your Linux Experience with Fedora 39 – The Fastest Version Yet”

“Say Goodbye to Sluggishness with Fedora 39 – The Ultimate Open-Source Desktop”
“Experience Lightning-Fast Performance with Fedora 39 – The Ultimate Open-Source Solution”

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnpkbmV0LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2ZlZG9yYS1saW51eC0zOS1sYW5kcy1hbmQtdGhpcy1sYXRlc3QtcmVsZWFzZS1pcy11bmhpbmdlZC13aXRoLXNwZWVkL9IBbmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnpkbmV0LmNvbS9nb29nbGUtYW1wL2FydGljbGUvZmVkb3JhLWxpbnV4LTM5LWxhbmRzLWFuZC10aGlzLWxhdGVzdC1yZWxlYXNlLWlzLXVuaGluZ2VkLXdpdGgtc3BlZWQv?oc=5

January 27, 2024 | Ubuntu

How to install Ubuntu Linux the right way – PCWorld

The London-based British Linux distributor Canonical has just released Ubuntu 23.10 (“Mantic Minotaur”), the latest version of its extremely popular Linux distribution, which is mainly aimed at private users and beginners.

Canonical

Not only is it free, it’s easy to set up too. We’ll show how you can easily install the free operating system on your desktop or notebook and set it up according to your wishes. This is by no means witchcraft and can be done even by Linux newcomers without any previous knowledge. We will help you!

For many private users, Ubuntu is the entry into the world of free Linux operating systems. The attractive and very beginner-friendly user interface as well as the intuitive operation are only some of the advantages of Ubuntu. Let’s dig in.

Preparations

To install Ubuntu on your desktop PC or notebook, you first need a flash drive or external drive with at least 12 gigabytes of storage space as well as the latest system image (the ISO file of the operating system), and a tool with which you can successfully bring the two together.

To write the system image to the USB storage drive, we recommend the small but powerful tool Rufus, which can create bootable USB drives in no time.

Next, download the current system image of Ubuntu in the form of the latest ISO file. Currently, this would be Ubuntu 23.10 (“Mantic Minotaur”), or 22.04 LTS (“Jammy Jellyfish”) if you prefer a particularly stable Linux operating system with corresponding long-term support (“LTS-Support”).

Download: Ubuntu 23.10 (“Mantic Minotaur”)

Download: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (“Jammy Jellyfish”)

For less experienced users who do not necessarily need the latest software packages, we recommend the LTS version. Due to the long-term support and extensively tested software packages, you get a particularly stable operating system.

Create an installation drive

In the next step, we will explain how to create a bootable drive, which you can use to install Ubuntu on your desktop PC or notebook.

  1. Download the current Rufus
  2. Install Rufus under Windows by default
  3. Start Rufus under Windows and proceed as follows

Sven Bauduin

  1. Under “Device” select Select your USB storage device.
  2. Under “Boot Selection”, select the Ubuntu ISO file.
  3. The file system “FAT32” should be selected as “File System”.
  4. Click on “Start” to start the installation process.
  5. Your installation medium has been successfully created.

You now have all the ingredients you need to successfully install Ubuntu on your desktop PC or notebook.

Booting the installation media

To start the installation of Ubuntu on your desktop PC or notebook, you need to trigger the boot process and then start the installation routine on your drive.

To boot from your installation drive, you must change the boot order or boot priority in the BIOS or UEFI of your system and prioritize the USB storage instead. How this works in detail varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and can be found in the manual of your PC or notebook or on the manufacturer’s support page.

In MSI’s BIOS, for example, the corresponding function looks like this:

MSI Deutschland

Make sure that the USB storage drive you use as installation medium is on the first place (“Boot Option #1”) in the boot priority (“Fixed Boot Order”) and restart your system after saving the changes.

Starting the Installation Routine

After you have successfully booted your desktop PC or notebook from your USB storage medium, you will find yourself directly in a corresponding live operating system based on Ubuntu.

On the desktop you will find an icon labelled “Install Ubuntu 23.10” or “Install Ubuntu 22.04”. Double-click it to start the installation routine.

Sven Bauduin

Running through the installation process

Now the installation routine of Ubuntu will start, which will guide you through the installation process fully automatically.

In the course of the installation you have to make the following selections:

  • Language
  • Keyboard layout
  • Installation drive
  • Network connections
  • Encryption
  • Updates

The installation routine explains the individual points in an easy-to-understand manner and gives you the choice of installing Ubuntu alongside an existing operating system such as Windows 11, or deleting the entire hard drive and using Ubuntu as the sole operating system on your PC or notebook.

You will go through the following installation steps:

At the end of the installation process, the installation routine offers you to end the installation and shut down and restart the system. Now remove the USB storage drive and confirm the process. Your PC or notebook will now restart.

Putting Ubuntu into operation

After a successful reboot, you will find yourself in your new operating system. Ubuntu has now been successfully installed on your system and is ready for your daily use. Via the system settings, you can now start numerous wizards that will help you set up the following things:

  • Network connection and internet
  • Screen resolution and refresh rate
  • Software installation and package updates
  • Security and encryption
  • Access and accounts

After going through these wizards, you should find a ready-to-use user interface based on the current Gnome 45 desktop in front of you and you are ready to go!

Canonical

If one of your favorite applications is missing from the default installation, you can use the new App Center, which sorts all applications and apps by category, has them ready for you and installs them with a few clicks.

Canonical

If you are interested in what new features Ubuntu 23.10 (“Mantic Minotaur”) offers, the developers have put together a corresponding Deep Dive, which lists and presents all the new features of the operating system in detail.

More information can be found in the official press release for Ubuntu 23.10 (“Mantic Montaur”).

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.

January 27, 2024 | Manjaro

“Discover the Powerful Features of Manjaro Linux 23.0 ‘Uranos’: Unleashing GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE Variants – The Latest Release from BetaNews!”

npressfetimg-171.png

“Manjaro 23.0 Uranos: The Ultimate Operating System Upgrade for GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE Users”

Manjaro 23.0 Uranos: A Masterclass in Operating System Perfection for GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE Fans

The highly anticipated version 23.0 of Manjaro, code-named “Uranos,” has finally arrived. And with its impressive updates for GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE, there’s no doubt that it will outshine other operating systems in the market.

For those in the GNOME camp, version 23.0 offers a stunning new interface, thanks to its integration with the GNOME 44 series. This release has received rave reviews for its precision and polish, and the release notes provide all the necessary details.

One of the most exciting updates for GNOME users is the new grid view in the file chooser. Long-awaited by many, this feature allows for easier selection of files based on thumbnails rather than just names. And with improved accessibility settings and a smoother software experience, GNOME 44 is truly a sight to behold.

Plasma users also have a lot to look forward to with the release of Manjaro 23.0. With Plasma 5.27 LTS and KDE Gear 23.08, the operating system now offers a window tiling system and decluttered system settings for a more seamless user experience. And for those who have been eagerly awaiting the switch to Wayland, numerous bug fixes and improvements have made this transition smoother than ever.

And let’s not forget about XFCE, as Manjaro 23.0 has some great updates for this camp as well. Thunar now has a file highlighting feature, making it easier to find the files you need, while the panel and Control Centre have received handy new preferences. Plus, with Kernel 6.5 and LTS options like Kernel 6.1 and 5.15, users can enjoy top-notch performance on a variety of hardware.

In conclusion, with its combination of sleek design, efficient updates, and compatibility with all major desktop environments, Manjaro 23.0 Uranos is the ultimate operating system upgrade for GNOME, Plasma, and XFCE users. So don’t wait any longer – download the ISO and discover the endless possibilities of Manjaro yourself! Don’t forget to give your feedback to the dedicated Manjaro team. Image credit: 3Dalia / Shutterstock.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vYmV0YW5ld3MuY29tLzIwMjMvMDkvMDUvbWFuamFyby0yMy0wLXVyYW5vcy1uZXctZmVhdHVyZXMtZ25vbWUtcGxhc21hLXhmY2UtbGludXgv0gEA?oc=5

January 27, 2024 | MX Linux

Middleweight champ MX Linux 23 delivers knockout punch – The Register

The MX Linux project has rolled out a new major release, based on Debian 12, and is on its way to becoming our favorite distro.

Around this time last year, MX Linux was new to us, as we said when we looked at version 21.2. Now at version 23, its developers describe it as a middleweight distro. Don’t be misled, though: while it doesn’t go out of its way to be stripped down or minimalist, it’s as rich and feature-complete as any desktop distro out there.

The principal difference between MX and other Debian remixes which seek to improve on the base OS, such as Linux Mint Debian Edition or siduction, is that MX is a member of the shortlist of distros that don’t use the systemd init system.

You won’t find MX Linux 23 on the No systemd list, though, because systemd is present – it’s just not the init system. Having it installed but inactive makes MX compatible with the increasing number of apps which require this shoggoth of a startup daemon, but thanks to a package called systemd-shim it’s effectively disabled unless you specifically choose it from the boot menu.

The default desktop in MX Linux 23 is Xfce

Unlike some distros, MX doesn’t try to offer every desktop environment around – a pragmatic choice, in our opinion. There are just three options: Xfce, KDE and Fluxbox – and unusually, the biggest and fanciest is not the default here. The flagship edition is Xfce, which we think is an excellent choice. It can do anything the bigger desktops can, and it does it in less memory, less disk space, and with far fewer bugs. So it’s worth a look even if you’re a fan of MATE, Cinnamon or some other desktop. Xfce can do everything they can, and in any case, they’re available in the repos.

Like Debian itself, MX Linux is in some ways a technologically conservative distribution, and it hasn’t substantially changed from the previous release. As such, our comments that time around stand, and if you don’t recall our previous look at the distro, it might be worth refreshing your memory.

If you are particularly wedded to KDE, that’s an option, and MX ships the latest version, with a relatively muted dark theme and a fairly basic, clean desktop config. In contrast, the Xfce configuration has been tweaked and tuned, as we described last time: the basic Xfce app menu has been replaced with the much better Whisker Menu, and it’s summoned with the Super (or “Windows”) key, as it should be. The single panel has been augmented with the docklike taskbar plugin as standard, for an experience that’s a bit more akin to Windows 7 and later, rather than Xfce’s Windows-95-style default.

KDE fans get the conventional taskbar down below

There’s also an even lighter-weight edition based around the Fluxbox window manager and the tint2 desktop panel (which might be familiar to users of the late Crunchbang distro, or its parallel offshoots BunsenLabs and Crunchbang++). We found this quite a bit clunkier, but it’s an option for very resource-limited machines. MX is one of the few modern distros to still offer an x86-32 release.

The version number denotes the year of release: this is the first new version of 2023, and the reason for a new major version is that the upstream Debian project has just put out a new major version. So, the core components here are mostly the same versions that you’ll find in Debian “Bookworm”.

New in this are the improved Nala package manager, which we first encountered in the Snap and Flatpak-free Ubuntu remix Zinc. The MX Updater app can optionally use Nala instead of apt.

Unlike Zinc, MX doesn’t include deb-get for fetching Debian packages of proprietary apps, but it doesn’t really need it: native packages of many of the usual suspects – Chrome, MS Edge and VS Code, or Zoom – can be found in the MX Package Installer app anyway, via pre-configured external repos. This also has a Flatpak tab, which offers many more, such as Slack and the Franz multiprotocol chat client. This extends to a choice of kernels, such as the optimized Liquorix kernel we looked at last year, and both older and newer kernels from the upstream antiX and Debian projects.

The Fluxbox edition is a lot less polished

New features in this release are the Orca screen-reader in all three desktops on offer, plus built-in screen magnifiers. All use the Pipewire audio server, plus the accompanying Wireplumber tool to manage it, and the UFW firewall. MX comes with an assortment of helpful applets that aid in managing drivers, kernels, backup and restore, and so on, collectively known as the MX Tools, and these have all been updated, and those which require elevated privileges are now managed by polkit.

Two interesting touches will benefit those looking to put the distro onto multiple PCs: MX Snapshot lets you take a snapshot of your entire running system, and turn it into an ISO file that you can install onto another computer. If you want a clean install but to replicate a set of additional software you’ve installed, the User installed packages tool will make a list of everything on one machine. You can then take this list to other machines, and the tool will install everything on the list.

There’s a special 64-bit edition called AHS for Advanced Hardware Support, which includes a newer kernel and drivers for hardware so new and shiny that the stock kernel 6.1 can’t handle it. The KDE flavor is only available in this form, but you can add the updated components to an existing installation via the AHS repository. Apparently, “AHS” is meant to rhyme with “Oz”, which tells us that the MX developers are not from the same part of the world as The Reg FOSS desk.

Judging from the comments, many Reg readers are not fans of systemd. It’s prevented many of our own machines from booting before now. For many, Debian fork Devuan is their go-to choice.

The contrast between Devuan and MX Linux reminds us of BunsenLabs and Crunchbang++. They remain quite similar, but CB++ stuck as closely as possible to the original, just with updated components, while the BunsenLabs team gradually added some enhancements and tweaks. Devuan hews very close to upstream Debian, but with a more complicated installation process – there are very few visible improvements.

The MX team, meanwhile, is much bolder: its distro is easier to install, and it isn’t afraid of adding new repositories, components, and drivers – and tools to manage them – to the base distro, while retaining excellent compatibility. If you want an improved Debian experience without the additional bulk of Ubuntu or Mint, it’s worth a try. Even if you’re happy enough with Debian but you desperately want to avoid systemd, its additional polish compared to Devuan could win you over. ®

January 27, 2024 | MX Linux

Revised title: Experience Revitalized Performance with MX Linux 23.2 featuring the Latest PipeWire 1.0 Multimedia System – Notebookcheck.net

npressfetimg-170.png

“Discover the Power of MX Linux 23.2: The Ultimate Update ‘Libretto’ Is Here!”

MX Linux, the leading Linux distribution according to Distrowatch, has released the highly anticipated stable update, version 23.2 “Libretto”. With desktop interfaces like XFCE, KDE Plasma, Fluxbox, and even a Raspberry Pi Edition, MX Linux 23.2 is taking the Linux world by storm.

Based on Debian 12.4 “Bookworm”, MX-23.2 brings a host of bug fixes, kernel updates, and refreshing application updates. According to the MX Linux developers, this update is the first refresh of their MX-23 release and is available through regular update channels or by installing the changed applications.

In addition to the upgraded base, MX Linux has also introduced the Long-Time Support (LTS) kernel version 6.1 for standard versions with Xfce or Fluxbox desktop. For those seeking more advanced hardware support, the Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) version boasts Linux 6.6 LTS and Xfce desktop, along with updated firmware and graphics libraries (Mesa).

But that’s not all – MX Linux is taking users to the next level with an update to the PipeWire 1.0 audio and video framework. Plus, there are improvements to the installer and a new MX Locale tool for hassle-free language management.

Ready to experience the unbeatable power of MX Linux 23.2? Head to the official announcement for more details and download links. Get ready to elevate your Linux game with the ultimate update – MX Linux 23.2 “Libretto”.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5ub3RlYm9va2NoZWNrLm5ldC9NWC1MaW51eC0yMy0yLXdpdGgtdGhlLWxhdGVzdC1QaXBlV2lyZS0xLTAtbXVsdGltZWRpYS1zeXN0ZW0tYnJlYXRoZXMtbmV3LWxpZmUtaW50by1vbGQtbGFwdG9wcy43OTU2NTAuMC5odG1s0gEA?oc=5

January 27, 2024 | Ubuntu