PCLinuxOS Openbox Bonsai 2010.11<s>.13</s> who wants to test ?

[melodie]

Hi,

Today I uploaded the 4th Nth version of a Mini Openbox. First created on top of a cli iso that etjr has done only from rpms from the repositories, following Texstar's advices at mypclinuxos.com/forum, I have improved the first graphical version I pulled out of it little by little, especially after ClareOldie started to give me good feedback.

The goal : provide a very small PCLinuxOS for old machines or not so old, to be a start to construct for whatever use : educational, server, desktop only, music only, personal version for Live-CD or Live-USB and so on... containing just the very minimum necessary without any unnecessary file forgotten (which is what we mostly get when we strip a version that already exists).

At this point, my wish is that more people come to test it, and eventually help -if they can- to find a solution for a few problems still to be solved.

What is in there ?

* kernel 2.6.33.7.bfs

* GDM
* Openbox, with Elegant Aurora GTK2 theme and Island Caye for window's theme;
* openbox-menu for dynamic pipe menus;

* Lxpanel to get a more classic approach, with menus;
* shutdown-dialog.py modified the way I explained in a package request, to replace "lxde-logout" that I didn't install ;

* Midori to surf the web;
* Leafpad geany to edit files;
* Xchat to keep contact with our chans;

* PCManFM to browse files and mount peripherals;

* Synaptic;
* PCLinuxOS Control Center;

* ssh
* mc
* lftp

I used only mcedit to edit files in text mode, or sometimes Leafpad Geany because it has syntax coloration.

The last version is 258 MB. 247MB the size has changed more or less at each version.
You can find the post about this latest version here with what has been solved and what's left to be solved:
http://mypclinuxos.com/forum/index.php?topic=2802.0

Thanks,
Mélodie

New screenshots:
With the right-click menu:

With the Lxpanel menu:

Application launchers in PCManFM 0.9.9:

Compache ramzswap control:

 


/Edit : today's version as of Oct 31st is the
pclinuxos-openbox-base.iso 266 MB

pclinuxos-openbox-base.md5sum

The panel has been at bottom since a few versions now. I switched editors and replaced Leafpad for Geany since a few versions too. Added many little components related to hardware recognition.

* Added ramzcontrol so that the ramzswap modules compiled with the kernels 2.6.33 and above can be used by the system. (See at pages 42 to 44 in this thread).
* Added Addlocale
* The kernel is now 2.6.33.7-pclos6.bfs. Some tweaks were added to have transparency in panels and icons managed by the newest pcmanfm (0.9.8 actually)...

I changed the name to make it match better it's goal, which is to provide a minimal X base to make something else easily starting with it. You can still find the history all kept in Synaptic, for information.

/Latest is Openbox Base 2010.10.finaltests. I'll let you find your way to the iso and md5sum file. Or see at page 49 of this thread. Thanks.
/Lots of changes in the Openbox Base 20101007. You can read about the list of changes in the posts through pages 51 and 52. (Area 51 ? )
/Final changes in Openbox Bonsai 2010.11.12:
Additional packages : rfkill, eject, and updates : have been updated, iso-codes, libarchives2, liblzma2, and xz.

You can find the iso here:
http://melodie.tyruiop.org/pclinuxos-core-cli-and-children

pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.12.iso   07-Nov-2010 20:13    262M
pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.12.md5sum   07-Nov-2010 20:13    70

/Final changes in Openbox Bonsai 2010.11.13:

Upgraded the following packages:
libpam0 (1.1.0-1pclos2010) to 1.1.0-2pclos2010
pam (1.1.0-1pclos2010) to 1.1.0-2pclos2010
rpm-helper (0.22.2-1pclos2010) to 0.23.1-1pclos2010

Installed the following packages:
unionfs-tools (1.4-1pclos2007)

Completely removed the following packages:
aumix-text

Installed the following packages:
icu (4.4-1pclos2010)

Completely removed the following packages:
xchat

pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.13.iso   13-Nov-2010 04:16    261M
pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.13.md5sum   13-Nov-2010 04:16    74

Thanks  \o/ !


November, thursday, 23rd 2010
The last one for this year is online.
http://melodie.tyruiop.org/pclinuxos-core-cli-and-children

Quote
pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.iso   21-Nov-2010 03:08    261M
pclinuxos-openbox-bonsai-2010.11.md5sum   21-Nov-2010 03:08    71

The changelog since the preceeding version is at page 60, this post: http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,79046.msg688322.html#msg688322

You can also read more at this post page 61 of this thread.

Thanks a lot to all who have been tested and helped !!!

Best regards,
Mélodie

[Tereva]

Salut Mélodie,

Downloading it right now (will install it in a virtualbox ).

Do you need any specific tests ?

Another thing :

Can you list the main package included in your distrib ?



++

Tereva

[melodie]

Do you need any specific tests ?

Salut Tereva,

Just what you are used to do, and what you expect from a distro that you can build whatever you have thought of when you need some specific use. (If you have)

Another thing :
Can you list the main package included in your distrib ?

Re-read up there ?

What is in there ?

* kernel 2.6.33.7.bfs

* GDM
* Openbox, with Elegant Aurora GTK2 theme and Island Caye for window's theme;
* openbox-menu for dynamic pipe menus;

* Lxpanel to get a more classic approach, with menus;
* shutdown-dialog.py modified the way I explained in a package request, to replace "lxde-logout" that I didn't install ;

* Midori to surf the web;
* Leafpad to edit files;
* Xchat to keep contact with our chans;

* PCManFM to browse files and mount peripherals;

* Synaptic;
* PCLinuxOS Control Center;

* ssh
* mc

Regards,
Mélodie

[coffeetime]

Thanks Melodie!

Will test asap.

[uncleV]

Writing it to CD. Here will check it as LiveCD and in Monday at the other weaker computer.

[uncleV]

Trying in LiveCD all is well except:
- couldn't change screen resolution to a different from default;
- doesn't mount NTFS partitions.

[melodie]

Trying in LiveCD all is well except:
- couldn't change screen resolution to a different from default;

How did you try to do that ? With the PCC ? Did you do a "logout/login" after you changed it ?

- doesn't mount NTFS partitions.

That is normal. As being a very minimalist base to build something of your own on it, it's just slighly more comfortable than the cli.iso provided by etjr. I can tell you I had a very hard time figuring out what was missing for the install to finish gracefully and not leave me on XDM without a user, after reboot. (for example).

If you need ntfs access, you can invoke in console "apt-cache search ntfs", which brings in theses:

[melodie@localhost ~]$ apt-cache search ntfs
fsarchiver - Filesystem Archiver for Linux
gpart - Hard disk primary partition table reconstruction
libevms0 - Libraries for evms
libntfs-devel - Header files and libraries for developing apps which will use libntfs
libntfs10 - Main library for libntfs
ntfs-3g - Read-write ntfs driver
ntfs-3g-devel - Header files and static libraries for ntfs-3g
ntfs-config - Enable/disable write support for internal and/or external NTFS device via a friendly gui
ntfsprogs - NTFS filesystem libraries and utilities
ntfsprogs-gnomevfs - NTFS GNOME virtual filesystem module
partimage - Partition Image
testdisk - Outil pour v�rifier et restaurer des partitions
partitionmanager - KDE Partition Manager
[melodie@localhost ~]$

So I would select ntfs-3g and ntfs-config, install them, and see what ?

A new bug appeared in this one version according to what ClareOldie told me on the other forum : after install, pfuitt ! no more background !

Normal, I think I forgot to copy the file /home/guest/.config/pcmanfm/main to /etc/skel/.config/pcmanfm/ after I did some changes in the config (to match the "possible to put icons to the Desktop" criteria).

So before installing, you may want to open a console, become root, and copy this file to /etc/skel/.config/... so that you don't end with a black background after finishing install.

I'll correct this for the next... sorry for the inconvenience.

[musonio]

I downloaded it and gave unetbootin a try:
In 40 seconds I had a completely installed linux system in my usb!
So far it looks great and runs extremely fast (as was to be expected).

I couldn't manage to shutdown or reboot though,
but that may be due to my damned modem/router.

Congratulations.

[uncleV]

Trying in LiveCD all is well except:
- couldn't change screen resolution to a different from default;

How did you try to do that ? With the PCC ? Did you do a "logout/login" after you changed it ?

No I didn't logout/login because a thought system should loose the configuration chose. I tried it via PCC of course. After changing did the "Test". It seems the Yes/No dialog there doesn't change in size when trying 1600x1200, 1280x1204 an so on and changed at 800x600. But after "OK" resolution was not changed.

That is normal.

If you need ntfs access, you can invoke in console "apt-cache search ntfs", which brings in theses:...

Yes I know of it but the children wouldn't now it And I am sure many of them would like to look at their Windows or data partitions running LiveCD. May be put a ntfs-3g installing option in the menu?

[melodie]

I downloaded it and gave unetbootin a try:
In 40 seconds I had a completely installed linux system in my usb!
So far it looks great and runs extremely fast (as was to be expected).

You may be interested to know that ClareOldie opened a thread at mypclinuxos.com/forum, as he is creating a script for usb installs. slax joined him for a rewriting in python, with a guy. I'm waiting for the next test version they will publish at the mypclos forum.

I couldn't manage to shutdown or reboot though,
but that may be due to my damned modem/router.

ClareOldie told me that is works when you add "fromusb" cheatcode in the boot command line. But : after it unmounts proc, it waits a long time before finishing the shutdown. This is annoying, I don't know what to look for about that.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

No I didn't logout/login because a thought system should loose the configuration chose. I tried it via PCC of course. After changing did the "Test". It seems the Yes/No dialog there doesn't change in size when trying 1600x1200, 1280x1204 an so on and changed at 800x600. But after "OK" resolution was not changed.

You have to logout/login : believe me, only a reboot will make you loose the changes in a live session : not a logout followed immediatly by a login. The reason is that the changes are stored in the RAM memory. As long as you don't shutdown or reboot, the changes will stay in the RAM. Would you give it again a try ?

That is normal.

If you need ntfs access, you can invoke in console "apt-cache search ntfs", which brings in theses:...

Yes I know of it but the children wouldn't now it And I am sure many of them would like to look at their Windows or data partitions running LiveCD. May be put a ntfs-3g installing option in the menu?

This distro is intended for users who want to make their own version : be they adults or children. If they don't know how to do what they wish, they'll come to the forum or ask their administrator.

It has to be kept low : as it is now, I find it already too big.

If this version fits you when it will be ready for all, you can add theses packages and do a new remaster of your's : that is the goal.

[uncleV]

melodie,
success!

[melodie]

melodie,
success!

Didn't I tell you ? (typical woman answer. XD)

I forgot to tell you why you must logout/login to validate the changes : this restarts X. When you restart X, you let him leave the session and forget about the configuration as it was, and when started again, X reads again the configuration file and acts accordingly to what is inside. This is why you must leave the session so that it be restarted.

[uncleV]

Yes you told me mur mur mur (typical man answer. XP)
 

Thanks for the explanation.
If I remember correctly from the other LiveCDs resolution is changed without logout/login there

I'll install it on a weaker machine in Tuesday wiping another distro

[melodie]

Yes you told me mur mur mur (typical man answer. XP)
 

LOL !!! I recommand this thread to you.

Thanks for the explanation.

No problem.

If I remember correctly from the other LiveCDs resolution is changed without logout/login there

I don't know how that could be. Maybe with some frontends to xrandr... in this minimalist version, you will have to do it the old way.

I'll install it on a weaker machine in Tuesday wiping another distro

You could just shrink another distro, this should be enough to give MiniOpenBox some space. You may not want to do anything definitive with this one, it's not finished. I'm going to redo it just now, to fix a background problem that otherwise the users will meet with after install.

Regards,
Mélodie

[jlf001]

Mélodie,

Downloading now and will try it out on an old HP laptop I have.  One suggestion at this time.  You might use kernel 2.6.32.21 bfs, as there is a bug with the b43 and b44 broadcom drivers in kernel 2.6.33.7.bfs, effecting both wired and wireless setup.  Looking forward to trying PCLinuxOS Openbox Mini.

Jeff