C A Exton © 2023                  


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MeX 64 bit Linux based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS with Ubuntu Desktop (Gnome 42.5) and Kodi 20.2 Nexus

 

 

NEWS/CHANGES 230704
I've uploaded a new version of MeX, in which I've included Kodi Nexus 20.2 - latest version, released 230702. Kodi is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub that can be installed on Linux, OSX, Windows, iOS, tvOS and Android. It is designed around a "10-foot user interface" for use with televisions and remote controls.
Kodi runs very well in MeX. On a web site called FireStickTricks you can find instructions how to install 23 (?!) extra Kodi Builds with their own repositories and skins. The article is called Best Kodi Builds July 2023. I've tried Doomzday today. Works very well. Otherwise MeX version 230704 works in the same way as previous versions.


NEWS/CHANGES 230704
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 230704 is based only on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish. I have replaced the original kernel (5.15) with "my" special kernel 6.4.0-amd64-exton. All installed packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 230704. This version of MeX uses the Ubuntu Desktop Minimal. I.e. Gnome 42.5 and Kodi 20.2. You can run Kodi "windowed" while logged in to Gnome. Alternatively you can start Kodi directly from the GDM3 login screen. The very nice icon theme Papirus is installed and used.


MORE MeX NEWS 230704
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive.
2. Another big improvement is that MeX now can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You'll need at least 4 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 2000 MB so MeX will run super fast from RAM!
3. I have replaced Google Chrome with Firefox. Google Chrome is no longer needed to be able to run Netflix in Linux.

4. The best thing with this new MeX build - Create your own installable Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Live System with Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed)! The whole “remaster process” is so simple that a 10 year old child can do it.

5. I have installed Calamares Installer as in many of my other Linux builds. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Very easy to use. You can use Calamares to install MeX on both UEFI computers and non UEFI computers (for example VirtualBox and VMware).
6. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed so you can run MeX in full screen in VirtualBox. That can be done also in VMware Workstation Player. Btw: Sound works better in VMware (compared to VirtualBox).


Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in MeX Build 230704) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 22.04 LTS live system. When you start Refracta Snapshot it will look like this. You don’t even have to install MeX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 30 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox or VMware. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 22.04 system using Refracta Snapshot and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (pre-installed). Or use Samba - screenshot. NOTE: If you want to create your own distro you must install MeX to a partition of at least 30 GB. You’ll find your new ISO file in /home/snapshot. (You can of course change that before you start Refracta Snapshot).

The system language is ENGLISH.

Program content etc
To make it possible to run MeX from RAM I have kept down the number of installed packages. The MeX ISO file is of 2000 MB. All packages have been updated to the latest available stable version as of July 4, 2023. See a complete list of all installed packages.

Used KERNEL 
Kernel 6.4.0-amd64-exton

What’s new in kernel 6.4?

COMPATIBILITY
Differences: Ubuntu 22.04 and MeX Linux is different only in principle to the terms of program content. A general truth: If an original system can run on a particular computer an "Exton remaster" of the same original system can run on the same computer. I never change a Linux system for the worse in terms of auto configuration and hardware detection, etc. It happens that I replace the original kernel (which I have done in this case), but always to a "better" one with even more native support for various hardware etc.

Passwords and login
The password for root (superuser) is root. When you start up MeX from the live dvd/USB stick you will end up at GDM3's login screen. Log in as Linux User. Watch this screenshot. The password for the ordinary user user is live. You can't log in to the Ubuntu Desktop from GDM3 as root. You can, however, press F1/F2 Ctrl Alt simultaneously to go into console mode. That is if you want to run MeX/the Ubuntu Desktop as root. In console mode run the following commands: In console mode run the following commands:
1. sudo su
2. cd /root
3. startx
Watch this screenshot.

During the installation process (using Calamares or Refracta Installer) you'll get the chance to create your own ordinary user.

Installation to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in case) should create a partition of at least 12 GB for MeX Linux and a SWAP space double the size of your computer's RAM. I.e. if you have RAM of 1024 MB or less. If you have RAM of 2 GB or more it's enough with a SWAP space of 2 GB. The installation program in MeX is otherwise "intuitive". Choose manual partitioning and select the partition you created in advance for installation. Use Refracta Installer. Or use Calamares Installer. Read more about hard drive installations...


Language settings
After a hard drive installation you may want to change /home/YourUser/.bashrc. Also: If you want to have Firefox and Thunderbird (for example) in your language you'll have to install locale files via Synaptic.

Keyboard settings
The command setxkbmap se (example) won't work in MeX since MeX uses Wayland. Therefore you'll have to change the standard keyboard layout (us) via Settings. Watch this screenshot.

Samba - connect to your Windows computers
Samba is running all the time so you can very easily reach your Windows computers.

USB installation
Read my USB INSTRUCTION

Spotify
You may want to install Spotify in MeX or another Debian/Ubuntu system. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. Follow this instruction for Ubuntu. Or while running MeX just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install spotify-client.

KNOWN ISSUE
When using Calamares Installer in VirtualBox you won't see a slideshow. After clicking "Install" it may seem that the installation has stopped, but it hasn't. Just wait and you will get a message saying that MeX has been installed. Watch this screenshot.
NOTE: Using VMware you will see a slideshow during the installation. Watch this screenshot.


Who can benefit from MeX?

All who like Debian/Ubuntu and want a system that is easy to use and maintain. And of course those who want to create their own Ubuntu 22.04 LTS system in a very simple way with Refracta Snapshot. Regarding MeX also those who want to run a Linux system super fast from RAM and/or like to run Linux from a USB flash drive. And those who want a new kernel – 6.4.0 - and the latest Kodi version - 20.2.

Watch a YouTube Video about MeX Linux...
Video


DOWNLOAD
MeX Linux can be downloaded from SourceForge.net - Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software director.

md5sum for MeX Linux ISO which is of 2000 MB.

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 MeX Linux


Other EXTON Linux Live Systems
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Almost all Exton Linux distributions are hosted by The Swedish Linux Society. Sixteen (16) exton distributions can also be downloaded from SourceForge.net - Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.


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Disclaimer: This is experimental software. Use at your own risk. Under no circumstances may C A Exton or exton.net be held liable for damage to hardware or software, lost data or other damage either direct or indirect caused by using this software.



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Screenshot 1 - Calamares Installer running

 

Screenshot 2 - Ubuntu Desktop with Kodi 20.2 running

Screenshot 3 - Boot screen live

Screenshot 4 - System Info

Screenshot 5 - Showing new
Kodi builds

Screenshot 6 - Kodi 20.2 running




EXTON distributions: The number of Exton distributions has decreased from 66 (all time high in June 2011) to 16. See a complete LIST. It was a bit too much for me to keep 66 distributions up to date. All Exton distributions on the Swedish Linux Society's FTP Server can be reached HERE. All exton distributions in English (English locale) can also be dowloaded from SourceForge.net.



UPGRADE packages to latest VERSION
If you install MeX Linux to hard disk you will always get the latest package versions if you run the following commands: sudo apt-get update and then sudo apt-get upgrade.



ABOUT wireless configurations
Use Network Manager to configure your wireless network. It works perfect.


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Android-x86 Custom

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Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se
– latest is RaspAnd 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!