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Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstable

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subhuman
Posts: 360
Joined: 2011-08-20 14:54

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#16 Post by subhuman »

i suppose you know knoppix? if not you will probably find that project highly interesting. it's linux made easy: insert a cd, et voilà - a linux box.

Snow Keld
Posts: 42
Joined: 2011-06-21 04:34

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#17 Post by Snow Keld »

things are going well and screen shots are up.

my newest image works very well. my next image i have plans on making changes to the installer and remove ALL non-free software, currently i have non-free kernel modules and non-free wireless drivers.. its not going to stay like that.
size=1 GB (looking into better compression options to get it down to 700 MB)

if you try it out please write a review!

Imagine-Linux sourceforge page
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mdmarmer
Posts: 16
Joined: 2009-10-13 15:31

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#18 Post by mdmarmer »

Snow Keld, How is ur distro different from siduction? Now that linux is becoming easier to use, there is less need for niche distros.

Snow Keld
Posts: 42
Joined: 2011-06-21 04:34

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#19 Post by Snow Keld »

i have never seen this distro before. thank you for pointing it out.

it seems to be an aptosid fork.

in terms of "easy" i dont see it myself. take a look at the installation guide before you say its easy.

the definition of easy by you or me is much different than a new user unfamiliar with the command line.


i am in the very first stages of development, if i get some help, and some support, the final goal is to create something as "easy" as ubuntu or mint, but completely debian. if debian was already like this i would feel there is no need.

at this stage you could really call it nothing more than a debian "blend" with some software not included in the debian repos.
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Randicus
Posts: 2663
Joined: 2011-05-08 09:11

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#20 Post by Randicus »

@Snow Keld
In regards to your goal of an "easy" Debian, Saline, Mepis and Parsix all claim to be Debian made easy for novice users, with things like an easy installer and good hardware support (by including non-free drivers/firmware, etc.). How would you compare your distro with those? I have not tried any of them, only read what they have on their web-sites and read a couple reviews. I am interested in your assessment. Would you say yours is closer to the goal or about the same, but approaching the goal from a different angle.

Snow Keld
Posts: 42
Joined: 2011-06-21 04:34

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#21 Post by Snow Keld »

the goal and idea are very similar.

saline a guess it the MOST similar.

but i agree with those people that always come and say "debian is all ancient outdated software" which is very true in stable, which i really dont think debian stable is a great desktop linux because of this, not that it has no purpose, it is the MOST stable, and i would use it above all else on a server or something.

saline is decently easy, i have tried it, they use remastersys installer which is not bad, much much better than most others, the mepis installer i have looked at extensively and it is very easy and well made.

both are based on debian stable, mepis is exclusively KDE, which is the largest difference there. saline is pretty close.

the closest out there is LMDE XFCE, but the mint tools really are not that great.. and if you have ever tried to get rid of mint update and mintinstall and use update-manager and software-center then you would know how much of a world of hurt youd be in, it pretty much seems to break apt altogether somehow.


furthermore i do not intend on including any non-free software with any releases in the future. i'm trying to integrate options into the installer so the user can choose to install those softwares if they choose to.
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pabs3
Posts: 14
Joined: 2008-01-03 15:15
Location: Australia

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#22 Post by pabs3 »

Have you considered joining the Debian derivatives census (and lists/IRC)? Debian is trying to catalogue all our derivatives, to bring them together on one forum and to integrate information about them into Debian infrastructure:

http://wiki.debian.org/DerivativesFrontDesk
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/Census
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/Integration
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/CensusQA
http://wiki.debian.org/DerivativesFrontDesk/FAQ
bye, pabs

zalew
Posts: 77
Joined: 2011-10-31 12:02

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#23 Post by zalew »

the theme is a bit obscure, what all those window buttons mean anyway?

Snow Keld
Posts: 42
Joined: 2011-06-21 04:34

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#24 Post by Snow Keld »

pabs3 wrote:Have you considered joining the Debian derivatives census (and lists/IRC)? Debian is trying to catalogue all our derivatives, to bring them together on one forum and to integrate information about them into Debian infrastructure:

http://wiki.debian.org/DerivativesFrontDesk
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/Census
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/Integration
http://wiki.debian.org/Derivatives/CensusQA
http://wiki.debian.org/DerivativesFrontDesk/FAQ
thank you for this post. i feel i should give time to see if i can even keep my project going then i will most definitely add it to the list. i had seen the front desk page some time ago, or read the information somewhere else. i thought it was very good that debian was actively trying to have derivative works integrate their software back into debian. i plan to do my best with any works produced by my disto.

i need some kind of user base, the project has publicly been up for 17 days now and i have some feedback from users. i just hope i can get more feedback and maybe some help for my next release.
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notthatguy
Posts: 199
Joined: 2011-12-13 12:48

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#25 Post by notthatguy »

Snow Keld wrote: but i agree with those people that always come and say "debian is all ancient outdated software" which is very true in stable, which i really dont think debian stable is a great desktop linux because of this, not that it has no purpose, it is the MOST stable, and i would use it above all else on a server or something.
Thats stupid. I don't buy a car everyday....or a new microwave....or even a new phone....or fifty other things that have newer versions available....
Having the latest version only matters if you actually need something the latest version provides and I rarely find that to be the case....

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buntunub
Posts: 591
Joined: 2011-02-11 05:23

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#26 Post by buntunub »

notthatguy wrote:
Snow Keld wrote: but i agree with those people that always come and say "debian is all ancient outdated software" which is very true in stable, which i really dont think debian stable is a great desktop linux because of this, not that it has no purpose, it is the MOST stable, and i would use it above all else on a server or something.
Thats stupid.
Wow. Someones opinion is "stupid"? Woe betide anyone who states their opinion on these forums! Some people will attack you for just stating your opinion here regardless if its right or wrong (not that opinions are right or wrong).

Keep on keepin on with Imagine Linux. It may not be much now but perhaps with some vision and imagination you can turn it into something appealing to a large cross section of Linux users - new and old. The idea's your trying are not new and there are other well established distro's out there that currently do virtually the same exact thing your doing already, but that does not mean you cant make it into something which is very different. Facts are facts though, and there is no logical reason to think that any mainstream userbase will pick up your distro unless you have something significantly new to offer. Heck, crazy ideas have been tried in the past like Gobolinux? I think the name was that had a completely different file structure which was more like Windows on a Linux kernel. So even different does not cut mustard sometimes. Life is rough for the Distro Maintainers, no doubt.
Last edited by buntunub on 2012-02-24 00:07, edited 1 time in total.

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nadir
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Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#27 Post by nadir »

In my opinion 4 and 4 is 27. :wink:

ah, imagine-linux. yup, it's worth to have a look at (let me do it again, to make sure i did not get confused by confusion).
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

dzz
Posts: 257
Joined: 2007-02-05 20:39
Location: Devon, England

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#28 Post by dzz »

Working nicely on my syslinux multiboot usb stick, will try live-rw persistence later. No space at present here for hd install and have already other sid.

I'm pleased to see someone doing this on an individual level, using the tools that Debian actually provides. One difference from siduction is it uses the standard Debian live-boot mechanism and kernel so is open to customisation. Good work, a nice sid/xfce mix. To configure a default xfce install to look anywhere near as good as that would take me a lot of time.

Bootup is under 30 seconds despite gdm3 but the default emerald/compiz it's a little heavy for my antiquated herdware (xp3200 single-core), idling at around 200MB ram and 25% cpu (moving a wobbly window)

I see there are configs for extlinux in /boot, have been wanting to investigate that as a possible grub2 alternative.

notthatguy
Posts: 199
Joined: 2011-12-13 12:48

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#29 Post by notthatguy »

buntunub wrote:Woe betide anyone who states their opinion on these forums! Some people will attack you for just stating your opinion here regardless if its right or wrong (not that opinions are right or wrong).
There seems to be some confusion here latelyregarding hostility and being nice and other bullshit. Anyone is free to state an opinion. But it isn't a one way street where you have to go along in the same direction. If someone is free to state an opinion then that means someone is free to state an opinion about that opinion and so on and so on. That is what is exercised on this board or hs been in the past. There isn't an agree or don't post rule that I know of. It goes both ways....
Wow. Someones opinion is "stupid"?
I thought I put forth the premise that something does not have to be the most recent to be useful and provided examples. If you accept that premise then it would be stupid to think software is any different. So no, someones opinion is not stupid (although that would still be my opinion on his opinion and be just as valid of an opinion) but I think the idea that software must be the latest release to be useful on a desktop is stupid. Than again maybe an idea is an opinion...dunno....

The part I find funny is that butnuts seem to think compiz is a part of gnome and that practically everyone uses it. Than again maybe it is just sad that I have never installed it...dunno again

Snow Keld
Posts: 42
Joined: 2011-06-21 04:34

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#30 Post by Snow Keld »

thank you all for the feedback.

some information.

if you look in your notification area (expand it) you will find fusion-icon running. if you do not enjoy compiz then select xfwm4 :)

my live image is built using the debian version of remastersys. i am investigating alternatives to using remastersys as i want better compression and i would like to use upstart which currently creates some real problems with remastersys.

also, the goal for this distro is very much like others out there. i feel that the biggest difference is the base being sid

easy distros based on debian stable are plenty
based on testing are few
on sid are none as far as i can tell.

easy distros based on ubuntu are in the hundreds, but this is debian :) and thats meant to be an attraction. otherwise i could have just made "yet another ubuntu variant".
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distrohop
Posts: 1
Joined: 2012-02-24 03:36

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#31 Post by distrohop »

notthatguy wrote:
Snow Keld wrote: but i agree with those people that always come and say "debian is all ancient outdated software" which is very true in stable, which i really dont think debian stable is a great desktop linux because of this, not that it has no purpose, it is the MOST stable, and i would use it above all else on a server or something.
Thats stupid. I don't buy a car everyday....or a new microwave....or even a new phone....or fifty other things that have newer versions available....
Having the latest version only matters if you actually need something the latest version provides and I rarely find that to be the case....

I tried another distro by some forumer here called refractor or retractor but gave up on it within 5 minutes of use because it's kind of stupid like a kindergarten science fair project or something.

Up-to-date apps (or rolling release model) is a very good idea for a desktop-centric distro and to say otherwise and call it stupid is just... well... really stupid and trollish.

I'll give this one a go and report back. You have my support.

notthatguy
Posts: 199
Joined: 2011-12-13 12:48

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#32 Post by notthatguy »

Snow Keld wrote: i am investigating alternatives to using remastersys...
now that sounds like a winner....

notthatguy
Posts: 199
Joined: 2011-12-13 12:48

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#33 Post by notthatguy »

distrohop wrote:[
I tried another distro by some forumer here called refractor or retractor but gave up on it within 5 minutes of use because it's kind of stupid like a kindergarten science fair project or something.
What did you find stupid about it? Wait, wouldn't you consider it stupid and trollish to say what you did...

You should check refracta now. It has turned a bit more geeky and useful for the advanced user. You might like it.

The 'Aunt Martha' version that I created served a purpose. I think I am going to start it up again since my old refracta version requires a lot of updates. I think I will call it kyloris this time. Be sure to check it out. Oh yea, the purpose.... The purpose of my 'kindergarten' edition was/is to serve the handful of desktop users that I know personally, my father-in-law, my neice/nephews, my kids, my wife(occasional user), my mother, a couple older people that use the desktops I gave them, so on and so forth. So a browser with flash and java is needed, the ability to rip cds, play music and movies, convert music from one format to another, calculator, screenshot, notepad, cd/dvd burning, sound recorder, word processor, maybe a spreadsheet, photo tool and image editor. That pretty much covers everything they do with their computers. Although maybe an email client or maybe not since they all use webmail. They haven't mentioned anything else they do so that is usually what I include.

I personally would like something more geeky but I like to use whatever I install on others computers so I am more familiar with the system and can help them. So I am sticking to my Aunt Martha edition, with skippy-xd for window previews and maybe a few other well hidden tricks for my own enjoyment.

That being said, did you try any other of my custom debian images...the icewm ones...the e17 ones...the unstable based ones...was they all stupid? :wink:
Up-to-date apps (or rolling release model) is a very good idea for a desktop-centric distro and to say otherwise and call it stupid is just... well... really stupid and trollish.
It is a very bad idea if you do not want to be constantly updating. It is not a good idea if you want your computer to be the same as it was last week, month, year. It is not a good idea if you expect everything to 'just work' as it has been doing. It is not a good idea if you are not knowledgeable regarding freeze/release as well as other significant changes that occur.

And once again....the part that was stupid was the idea that everything has to be up to date to be useful. My 1994 mercury capri still gets me from point A to point B and my iceweasel 3.5 still plays my keez...nothing newer needed for me thanks...hell my lawnmower is probably ten years old as well...


First fdn went warm and fuzzy and the butnuts came along....now it seem we all have to go along with everyones opinion or not post...sad....just sad...

dzz
Posts: 257
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Location: Devon, England

Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#34 Post by dzz »

I tried another distro by some forumer here called refractor or retractor but gave up on it within 5 minutes of use because it's kind of stupid like a kindergarten science fair project or something.
5 minutes? It probably takes longer to switch on your machine, open a browser, log in and write a forum post! BTW the correct spelling is "Refracta" Do feel free to write derogatory comments about that which you know almost nothing, this is after all FDN. Feel free also, to refer to a long-term and knowledgable member of the Debian community as "some forumer here"

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nadir
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Re: Imagine-Linux (new distribution) based on debian unstabl

#35 Post by nadir »

notthatguy wrote: There seems to be some confusion here lately regarding hostility and being nice and other bullshit. Anyone is free to state an opinion. But it isn't a one way street where you have to go along in the same direction. If someone is free to state an opinion then that means someone is free to state an opinion about that opinion and so on and so on. That is what is exercised on this board or has been in the past. There isn't an agree or don't post rule that I know of. It goes both ways....
Yup.
Not every extended discussion is a flame war neither.
And not everyone who disagrees is automatically a troll.
A bean system was promised, but it did never arrive. Once it is there (and we all know it will be there), it will get worse.

I am trying refracta for ... no idea ... 2 years? no idea ... It is a good project, and it has been a good project from the very beginning.
Especially for a "hopper", which i assume a distrohopper his (say a Dennis Hopper). You could hop twice a day, not only the environment from icewm to a full gnome, but also from a forum to a mailing list to another forum, in case Dean was in a fury.... that sure was fun (it still is, but different, less chaotic fun).
I did not say it is not kindergarten, and i would not care if it was.
LInk: http://www.ibiblio.org/refracta/
and in case anyone wonders: no, i am not (really) involved. If anything i am the guinea-pig ( it says "nadir's forum", but that only means that i did make the account at freeforums, nothing more. It is the refracta forum.)


To make it, both paragraphs above and my general idea, short:
Put the fun back in computing: Playfulness (clever? good. not clever? good too).
"I am not fine with it, so there is nothing for me to do but stand aside." M.D.

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