Announcing nFlux Linux; a Fluxbox oriented trinity of distros!

lq_asking · 06-13-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lq_asking

But I would like to use the 3GB-sized /dev/sdb2 ext3-partition on the stick as persistent store. I shall try to refer to it by changes=NFLUXSAVE where "NFLUXSAVE" is its label.

This changes=... is ignored.

Don't know how to refer to a label in the changes=... -parameter.
To be definite, this menu.lst works:

(/mnt/live/mnt/sdb1/boot/grub/menu.lst)

Code:

timeout 10
color cyan/blue white/blue
foreground ffffff
background 0639a1

title nFlux ARCH, kernel 2.6.33.3-qx
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb1 ramdisk_size=8888 root=/dev/ram0 rw noauto max_loop=255 changes=/dev/sdb2 autoexec=xconf vga=788
initrd /boot/initrd.gz
boot

linus72 · 06-13-2010, 05:45 PM

hey
I would just put a folder on usb named whatever
it will find a folder, whereas the device name, etc can change

changes=/lq_asking/

remember to use the slashes /

see if that works?

lq_asking · 06-13-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

hey
I would just put a folder on usb named whatever
it will find a folder, whereas the device name, etc can change

Perhaps legacy grub 0.97 from PCLINUXOS that I used likes UUIDs.

Quote:

changes=/lq_asking/

remember to use the slashes /

see if that works?

... much more comfortable than a separate partition. I shall do that later.

lq_asking · 06-14-2010, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

hey
I would just put a folder on usb named whatever
it will find a folder, whereas the device name, etc can change

changes=/lq_asking/

remember to use the slashes /

see if that works?

Yes it does. Thank you.

lq_asking · 06-14-2010, 03:28 AM

Code:

# pacman -S xf86-video-nouveau
resolving dependencies...
looking for inter-conflicts...

Targets (3): kernel26-2.6.33.4-1 [21.49 MB]  
             nouveau-drm-0.0.16_20100313-2 [0.25 MB]  
             xf86-video-nouveau-0.0.15_git20100314-1 [0.07 MB]  

Total Download Size:    21.81 MB
Total Installed Size:   82.65 MB

Proceed with installation? [Y/n]

I would like to use this driver but the kernel-version does not match.

@linus72 Could nFlux include this driver in a future release?

lq_asking · 06-14-2010, 03:58 AM

An alternative to the nouveau-driver is the nvidea-driver.

Quote:

# pacman -S nvidia
resolving dependencies...
looking for inter-conflicts...
:: nvidia-utils conflicts with libgl. Remove libgl? [Y/n]

Is there a disadvantage when removing libgl?

linus72 · 06-14-2010, 06:11 AM

hey lq-asking

Quote:

I would like to use this driver but the kernel-version does not match.

@linus72 Could nFlux include this driver in a future release?

that's part of the problem...
originally I built the ARCH edition off of a net-install, then installed archiso-live
which has a backup-mode so you can make your installed system into a live one,etc

well, everything works except the terminals
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...needed-810452/

I still haven't figured out why?
its a pts issue? /dev/pts?

as archiso-live has a kernel26-live with squashfs 4.0+
I couldn't get it to work so went to quax's 2.6.33.3-qx kernel

As for drivers; I can't even get my mx400 card to work in any distro cept ubuntu
nvidia 96xx

So, lq_asking would you like to help out?
I mean making stuff, livecd, etc?
I have no help and still dont know how some livecd makers get drivers in theirs?
I'm still a newbie I guess...

Do you have a spare partition to install nFlux ARCH to?
If so I'll show you how to get all the archiso-live stuff so you can try it too?

Quote:

An alternative to the nouveau-driver is the nvidea-driver.
Quote:
# pacman -S nvidia
resolving dependencies...
looking for inter-conflicts...
:: nvidia-utils conflicts with libgl. Remove libgl? [Y/n]
Is there a disadvantage when removing libgl?

my arch installs all say that same thing...
I gotta uninstall alot of drivers to install nvidia-anything....
and as I said, only ubuntu seemed to figure it out with my card...

linus72 · 06-15-2010, 06:31 AM

New downloads here
http://multidistro.com/downloads/downloads.html

New desktop pics here
arch
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/arch.png

debian
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/deb.png

slack
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/slack.png

ubuntu
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/ubu.png

OK
I figured out that both the debian and ubuntu builds were broken due to
a) ubuntu remastersys backup wasn't working....fixed that
b) the new debian kernel and new pcmanfm also weren't acceptable
therefore I "pinned" both in synaptic, and now it works good too

And, I also updated the arch and slack builds; adding a flux-update script
that updates flux menu on command vs opening a term and doing "fluxbox-generate_menu"

Added many, many new fluxbox styles, different colors etc
also added some gnome themes and icons to each of the four.

Much hard work over this weekend; hopefully this release will last
as I dont plan anymore releases until maybe July?

So, anyone please try them and give feedback!

BUGS: only known "bug" is that 1st time updating flux menu in ARCH edition, it will ask for guest password
but it only does it once? it's a gksu thing...

EDIT: here are the pkg list's for each

arch pkgs installed
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/arch-pkgs

debian pkgs installed
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/deb-pkgs

slack pkgs installed
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/slack-pkgs

ubuntu pkgs installed
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/ubu-pkgs

There is also now a nFluxOS Ubuntu 10.04 Bible Edition
using Xiphos and BibleMemorizer and some customized stuff, apps, etc
Comes as a .zip file with iso, md5sum, and some other goodies!
couple pics
boot menu
http://multidistro.com/distros/ubunt...d/bibleubu.png

root desktop
http://multidistro.com/distros/ubunt...d/bdesktop.png

Download nFluxOS Bible Edition 632MB
http://multidistro.com/distros/ubunt...ibleUbuntu.zip

ralcocer · 06-27-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

Oh,
I was also seriously thinking about splitting the fluxbox desktop into 2 or 3 different
variations.
Like, one might be a basic fluxbox desktop with no apps staring, etc
so Low-Ram
Then maybe a second choice where fluxbox starts and conky, fbpanel, etc also start
the third choice would be having pcmanfm or rox run the desktop so you could have icons,etc

I'm sure I could do this, though I might have to have either three .fluxbox folders diff named or certain scripts that tell gdm,etc which variation to load...

what does anyone think about variable fluxbox desktop

Low-ram; just flux

Mid range; conky, fbpanel,etc running

Full; pcmanfm running desktop, fbpanel,etc

I have a LXDE module that I have used for my personal distribution, I also use Slackware as my base also took some thing from Slax and I am using LLS. I will download the slackware version to kick the tires. What I do in my system is that I keep the basic system at a minimum and put everything else in the optional Directory. I am working on a way to use GTKdialog to at least have a listing of the modules, I also made my own persistent module as I hace found almost impossible to get the slax persistance to work the way it is written on the linuxrc script.

I will let you know what happens

Ralcocer

linus72 · 06-27-2010, 06:29 AM

Hello ralcocer
maybe we could collaborate?

I am at this moment compiling new 2.6.34 zen kernel with squashfs 4.0
for both slack and arch versions.
using squashfs 4.0 will be better and smaller finished product.

and I agree about putting extra stuff in /optional
maybe even the whhole desktop?

ralcocer · 06-27-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

Hello ralcocer
maybe we could collaborate?

I am at this moment compiling new 2.6.34 zen kernel with squashfs 4.0
for both slack and arch versions.
using squashfs 4.0 will be better and smaller finished product.

and I agree about putting extra stuff in /optional
maybe even the whhole desktop?

The good thing about putting everything extra is that you have a basic system using minimum resources.

I also sugest using wbar it works with pcmanfm and is more eye pleasing.

there migt be a way to use both squashfs try slax-modtools-cli it will convert between sq3 and sq4 they use that in KDE using a GUI this one is command line
let me know how can I help.

linus72 · 06-28-2010, 06:33 AM

I agree;
I would like to maybe imitate the Slax layout
where the modules are Xorg.lzm, Base.lzm, etc
vs lib.lzm, usr.lzm, etc

you mean wbar vs fbpanel?
I just dont like that wbar has no menu button function
as fbpanel shows almost everything and maybe easier to navigate vs fluxbox menu...

mysteriously; the "upgrade" to squashfs 4.0 from 3.4 was disappointing
as I expected the resulting .lzm's to be more compressed and they aren't
the resulting builds are roughly the same size so I dont see the advantage

Quote:

let me know how can I help.

well; I would really like to have a/some collaborator(s) on nFluxOS.
Most all distro's have a Team of developers and thats why they are better
My biggest problem is getting non-free graphics drivers into them...
again; most good distro's come in livecd form with drivers so if you have this card or that card
it's automatically loaded at bootup or it asks user if they want to use reg driver or non-free

linuxgamers.net livecd is a good example having drivers
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?dis...on=linuxgamers

Quote:

It contains both the NVIDIA and ATI proprietary Linux drivers

how do I get those in my arch/slack builds??

actually, your critique/feedback of any of the nFluxOS line as user is also great.

bendib · 06-28-2010, 07:41 PM

If you want something REAL minimalistic, check my signature. It doesn't even have X, lol.

linus72 · 06-28-2010, 07:52 PM

bendib I did
I haven't had time to check it out as I have been completing new squashfs 4.0 versions
of nflux arch and slack
and am now uploading a rc1 x86_64 version of nflux arch version

see here about kernel
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ml#post4016453

linus72 · 06-28-2010, 09:18 PM

Finished a x86_64 version of nFluxOS_ARCH-2010.05 cut.
I consider it a "rc1"; as the PC I built it on is a
amd athlon64 3300+ dual-arch beast as it can run both 32 and 64 bit stuff
even though it's kinda old.

I included the full source kernel 2.6.34-ZENARCH64 in /usr/src
and it uses squashfs 4.0, as the new nfluxos arch/slack versions will be using too
in next release.

The kernel is configured for "x86_64 generic"
and I used lxpanel instead of fbpanel
and Fluxbox of course!

For now I only made a root account, no users
though /etc/sudoers is setup for a "guest" account

username: root
password: toor

it also includes Slim, xconf, and some more stuff I migrated
from 32bit nfluxos arch.

Only "bug" is that I never could find a suitable 64bit flashplugin
the one installed works but will crash if 2 or more tabs are open
on pages that use flash...just flash crashes, not firefox...?!

anyway; this is my first ever 64bit distro and so Thanks to ritchie at Slax forum
for the LLS 6.3.0x86_64 and info
see here
http://www.slax.org/forum.php?action...parentID=59545

However; I modified his version somewhat and it's in the /root folder
so you can remaster it.

I did not include the nflux-installer as the "manual-install" method described in
/usr/share/doc/manual-install and /usr/share/doc/info works great
Just make sure properly setup /etc/fstab, /etc/mtab, /etc/lilo.conf, or /boot/grub/menu.lst
it has both lilo and grub legacy plus the menu.lst in livecd /boot/grub folder has a example hdd
entry for sda1.

I really, really need any feedback from x86_64 users!!

Download
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/sq4a...64-sq4-rc1.iso

md5sum
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/sq4a...rc1.iso.md5sum

Desktop pic
http://multidistro.com/NFLUXNEW/sq4arch64/arch64.png