Light-Debian-Core-Live-CD-Wheezy + Porteus-Wheezy

[dancytron]

Just installed the latest ISO. Great job guys.

Installed as porteus as "manual frugal" install. Installed iceweasel, xineui, mesa-dri, mesa-utils, and lxterminal from synaptic. No issues.

Did remastercow and put resulting module in modules folder. Rebooted to a different changes folder. No issues, everything worked.

Only small issue is on set default apps utility, the size of the windows cuts off some of the instructions.

edit: realized I forgot to install flash. In order to get it, I had to add "contrib" to one of the repository lines in synaptic. Now rebuilding my module file using remasterdog.

[mcewanw]

Hi, Terry, Fred, William, Sergey and all interested from testing.
...
Uploaded DebianDog-PorteusDog-test2.iso - 107 Mb.
http://smokey01.com/saintless/Light-Whe ... -test2.iso
...
Added examples-boot-codes text file in the iso.
Toni

Given it a quick spin and looking great. xdm, synaptics etc working fine with root and puppy user.

A few minor issues/suggestions at this stage:

1. I think it would be good to also put copy of fixed Examples-boot-codes.txt in http://smokey01.com/saintless/Light-Wheezy/. Also there are a few errors in the existing text (some just being small typos):

"Boot code exaqmples" should be "Boot code examples"

2. Since you are saying to copy "live" folder for Porteus method then (including spelling fix):

"This will create automaticly /portdeb/debian/changes" should be "This will create automatically /live/debian/changes"

3. I think the Porteus/saving_to_directory grub menu.list stanza needs changed from:

Code: Select all

Like the previous one saving changes only at shutdown but in folder /live/changes:

Code:
title PorteusDog (sda1) 
root (hd0,0)
kernel (hd0,0)/live/vmlinuz1 noauto from=/live/ changes=EXIT:/live/
initrd (hd0,0)/live/initrd1.xz

to:

Code: Select all

Like the previous one saving changes only at shutdown but in folder /live/changes:

Code:
title PorteusDog (sda1) 
root (hd0,0)
kernel (hd0,0)/live/vmlinuz1 noauto from=/live/ changes=EXIT:/live/debian/
initrd (hd0,0)/live/initrd1.xz

I am using this last method, though I am using a different partition (hd1,1) on my usb stick.

I suggest we thoroughly test multimedia facilities are all working on our machines as well as menu and other system components.
Also need to test both Xfe and Rox filemanagers working as expected in terms of mime handling, left and right mouse clicking default actions etc. Despite Xfe being available, I think it is important to remember that many Puppy Linux users will tend to use Rox in preference to Xfe at the beginning at least.

EDIT1: Should also check out what happens when alternative webbrowser is installed. I installed iceweasel but then made symbolic link from /usr/local/bin/default_web-browser back to /usr/lib/iceweasel/iceweasel. I should have tried using Set Dflt Apps under JWM menu Settings (which I think would best be in menu as "Set Default Apps") but forgot to. Problem I had was the desktop icon remains as the Dillo one with the big P in it unless I also change /usr/local/bin/default_web-browser.icon link to point to iceweasel icon.

EDIT2: I'm wondering if you should include deb ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free (EDIT: or as dancytron suggests above) in /etc/apt/sources.lst, so a user can easily install adobe flash with:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

or have a paragraph in Examples-boot-code.txt (maybe calling it install_information.txt or similar instead)? Or perhaps a link to a site that tells how to do it for Wheezy such as http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/debian-lin ... sh-player/

or have a quick-set up script that does all that and other such stuff (calling up System -> Timezone program) for the user? Another job for Terry...? :-)

All in all, looking very nice now and clearly about ready for beta release in own thread. Well done Toni for keeping track of everything and getting it all together!

[sunburnt]

Guys; Basically there are 2 things that need to be done, #1 soon, # 2 sometime.
1) Find a point in the boot code before any partitions are mounted to do a fsck.

2) The aufs command makes the union and sets the layer order.
Stop the mount of the live-rw file and replace it with the dir. path /media/(part.)/live-rw
This is all that needs to be done to use a dir. for persistence.

# dzz answered at the Debian forum, a very helpful and knowledgeable guy.
/live/image is mounted ro, so it can`t be used as is for a Live dir.
Apparently the image file only needs to be rw, it being on a ro partition doesn`t matter.?
But he said there was a work-around, I`m guessing remount /live/image to rw.
As it is now, there`s no point in having a live dir. So USB Install will use an image file.

### HELP... I`m stuck on grub4dos. Nothing explains what`s really going on.
The Puppy help pages actually explained most of it. But I`m still stuck on details.

### Is this correct.? 4 files are needed:
bootlace.com puts grldr.mbr in drive`s MBR.
At boot MBR runs grldr that uses menu.lst info.

Apparently for Linux the boot flag does not matter, but some BIOS need it.


dancytron; I`ll look at the Set Default Apps utility.


Currently debdog-install does: drive wipe, partition, format, and makes good live-rw file.
BUT... It will not copy the DebDog files from the live dir. It`s fine cli, but the script fails.
# I`ve been staring at code too long. Can some one find what I can`t see.?
The section that the copy command fails is marked: #########

DebianDog-Install and a new Drive-Info

[saintless]

Thank you for testing, guys!

William, Dancytron,
Just change /etc/apt/sources.list with sources.list.bak in the same folder. It has all needed repositories. I will change them for the beta.
I use the default sources to be sure nothing non-free will be added in DebianDog.
I will fix the typos.

Default browser and Default browser icon - I'm not sure we can have them both changing auto. I left them to be changed manual from Set Default Apps GUI. We have to remove Default Browser Icon if we make every new browser to auto-become default.

Terry.

But he said there was a work-around, I`m guessing remount /live/image to rw.

Do not waste time to search workaround. As I wrote it is already done for DebianDog.

In initrd.img /scripts/live line 1829 I added:

Code: Select all

mount -o remount,rw /root/live/image

which does the rw remounting of /live/image

I will try to dig out some info for grub4dos and test.
Debian Wheezy do not have default boot fsck so this will need changing the code in initrd.img.

Fred, does porteus initrd have boot code for fsck?

Toni

[sunburnt]

Toni; I ment to ask if the login gui is a text thing like ncurses.? It looks pre-desktop.
I was thinking boot codes and some setup options could be put into a check box panel.

Sorry I have not been able to do any testing for you. Hopefully in a day or so...

[saintless]

Terry, I think to make DebianDog autologin as root without using XDM by default.
Multiuser is working fine but I doubt many puppy users will like the login prompt at every boot.
There is easy switch on option typing xdm-start and reboot to get back XDM login. And with all Rematser scripts options it is easy to make what you need from DebianDog now.
I also plan to try to make Slim login manager work and add it as debian package or sfs file as optional login prompt on the site.

Toni

[mcewanw]

### Is this correct.? 4 files are needed:
bootlace.com puts grldr.mbr in drive`s MBR.
At boot MBR runs grldr that uses menu.lst info.

I use grub4dos on this machine I'm typing on, and have used it pretty much always since 2008. However, once it is installed, I tend to forget about the details since all I need to bother about thereafter is what I put in menu.lst.

Nevertheless, from memory, the 4 files you mention sound correct.

A grub4dos tutorial link:

http://diddy.boot-land.net/grub4dos/files/install.htm

[saintless]

Hi, all.

Just tested the localization with bulgarian language. Adding only /usr/share/locale/bg folder works for the programs and I can get debian-root-menu translated (most of it) in my native language.
Unfortunately it is not possible for mk-jwm root menu.
For root menu localization the user will have to use menu-debian option.

Toni

[saintless]

BUT... It will not copy the DebDog files from the live dir. It`s fine cli, but the script fails.
# I`ve been staring at code too long. Can some one find what I can`t see.?
The section that the copy command fails is marked: ######

Terry, I get error failed mounting for hard drive partition in this section.

Code: Select all

		mkdir -p "$MNT"
		mount -t "$FS" "/dev/$PART" "$MNT"
		[ "$?" -gt 0 ]&& xmessage -center " Partition Mount Failed." && exec "$0"

Not tested proper with usb yet since I have only 512Mb one free at the moment. I will test it with 8Gb usbe in the next days.

About the copy failed command I think you should add -r or -rf as option because of subfolders in /live and /live/debian (but I might be wrong):

Code: Select all

		cp -r /media/iso/* "$MNT/live"
		cp -r "${PF%/*}/*" "$MNT/live"

I think it also should be "$MNT" instead "$MNT/live" since the copy command is cp /media/iso/*

Toni

[sfs]

### HELP... I`m stuck on grub4dos. Nothing explains what`s really going on.

bootlace - does not work with ext4
weesetup need
http://forum.puppyrus.org/index.php/topic,15557.0.html

[saintless]

http://forum.puppyrus.org/index.php/topic,15557.0.html

Привет и большое

[saintless]

Hi, all.

I'm making some changes on the site. Created new DebianDog folder where the Beta iso will be placed later.
http://smokey01.com/saintless/DebianDog/
Two subfolders System-modules and extra-modules

System-modules content:
http://smokey01.com/saintless/DebianDog/System-modules/
00-locale-files.squashfs - 22Mb. - all /usr/share/locale files included. I think there is no need to create separate archives from each folder since single click on the module will open the content in new window with easy copy/paste option for any language folder in the system for remastering with only needed locales included.
.
00-man-doc-info.squashfs -29 Mb. - all /usr/share/man-doc-info files in case someone needs them.

02-wheeze-boot-folder.squashfs - /boot folder with kernel and initrd modules for 3.2.0-4-486 and 3.2.0-4-686-pae.

Separate kernel modules available for user remaster:

021-kernel-486.zip - default included in DebianDog. Available for download in case it is needed for remaster tests and test with other live linux as puppy.

022-kernel-686-pae.zip - Pae debian kernel

023-kernel-porteus-3.9.11.zip - Porteus kernel from first Porteus wheezy with option to add dpkg database information. Eventualy it will have problems to make linux-headers work but I think it is good to have it.

All we need is to extract the archives in /live and to change the boot code to point the correct initrd and vmlinuz and reboot.
All kernel modules have /opt/bin/script to update dpkg database if needed. Single click on the script does the job.

Remastering with new kernel process - boot with the new kernel and apt-get purge the default 486 kernel to save space. remove the previous vmlinuz and initrd from /live. Use RemasterDog to make DebianDog different kernel version and new iso.

06-DEVX-DebDog-2.squashfs - Devx compile programs module.

Initrd files for different save file options:

initrd-3.2.0-4-486-linux-live.xz - for linix-live boot similar to Porteus boot with similar save file options made by Fred.

initrd1-live-boot-v3-3.2.0-4-486.img - original Debian Wheezy initrd created with live-boot v.3

initrd2-live-boot-v3-3.2.0-4-686-Pae.img - original Debian Wheezy initrd created with live-boot v.3

Extra-modules folder for extra sfs modules:
051-smo-freeoffice.squashfs - SoftMakerOffice-FreeOffice - needs free registration with e-mail to use it.
More to be added later.

We keep Fredx181 folder for deb packages and other files related to DebianDog and Porteus-Wheezy:
http://smokey01.com/saintless/Fredx181/
Some cleaning and editing of the packages there is needed. I found gnumeric.sfs does not have working executable link for example. It will be fixed in time.

Fred,
if you like to have something different structured in Porteus-Wheezy folder just write what is needed.

Toni

[fredx181]

Hi Toni
It didn't happen overnight but now we got something!

Uploaded DebianDog-PorteusDog-test2.iso - 107 Mb.
http://smokey01.com/saintless/Light-Whe ... -test2.iso

Just a few minor issues to solve and the beta is ready I think.
What we didn't think of (well, at least I didn't) is the fact that it can't be installed on a FAT partition because of the symlink in the base folder for porteus boot (symlinks not supported by FAT).
I'll see if I can come up for an idea about that, at least the user should be warned about it.

Installed some programs and menu updates fine, with icons, great job by Terry!

The installer from Terry looks promising and IMHO it's a must to include.

So many things to test, I tested of course if porteus-boot-method works with the saving and all, it's fine except for the makepfile.sh script, it is not updated with progress bar (see below for new one, remove dummy .tar extension).

One unexpected thing for me was:
When activating some module there should be no traces left when you deactivate it.
But there are; in the menu, because of the mk.jwm generating I think.
Refresh-menus from menu made them disappear though.
Maybe it's me but I have same problem as William described about Wallpapers; stretch doesn't work, tested it with 06.jpg and still see bars on left and right (I have normal monitor, not wide-screen).

I like your decision for autologin as default on coming beta.
I'll test some more in next few days.

Fred

[fredx181]

Hi Toni

Fred,
if you like to have something different structured in Porteus-Wheezy folder just write what is needed.

Yes, good idea, something like 'packages-porteus-wheezy' maybe for e.g. special xfce, openbox or whatever packages.
Coming more I expect but here's one:(see attached, remove dummy .tar)

About fsck for porteus-boot you asked:
Savefile will always be checked by default.
For all partitions to check there's boot parameter 'fsck'

Fred

[saintless]

Hi, Fred.
New folder for Porteus-Wheezy apps only:
http://smokey01.com/saintless/Porteus-W ... us-Wheezy/
I will also test mostly in the next few days and then I will add all fixes we find.

Toni

[fredx181]

Hi, Fred.
New folder for Porteus-Wheezy apps only:
http://smokey01.com/saintless/Porteus-W ... us-Wheezy/
I will also test mostly in the next few days and then I will add all fixes we find.

Toni

Thanks Toni, that was fast.
Nice organizing of the site btw!

Fred

[mcewanw]

Maybe it's me but I have same problem as William described about Wallpapers; stretch doesn't work, tested it with 06.jpg and still see bars on left and right (I have normal monitor, not wide-screen).

Fred, this is how saintless explained the method to me (though I haven't tried it):

Terry is right and GUI option to use Stretch is working. Here is how to do it. I also did not notice it works this way till now.
Open Wallpapers GUI and remove all pictures from Remove button. Then set Stretch and add first pictire. It will be set to stretch. Add the rest as Stretch this way or choose Scale, Tile, Center for each one before adding the picture with Add button.

I see the wallpapers are now activated by default with 'Stretch'.

Since this issue keeps cropping up, it may be that the method to change between Stretch, Scale etc is non-intuitive to the user, so perhaps that needs to be looked at. Best would be if the pictures didn't all need to be removed first, so that when user chooses mode (Stretch, Scale etc) from the drop down list and clicks Apply is all just happens. I think most people won't think of having to remove all the pictures first, then select mode and then re-add the pictures; that is unexpected procedure. It is not an urgent thing to consider for the beta iso release though, if it does all work as it currently is.

[sunburnt]

Guys; I setup Wallpapers to show the wallpaper`s "mode" at left side in the selected list.
If a wallpaper has the correct mode then there`s no need to remove it.
A Wallpaper and it`s mode must be selected before the Add button is clicked.
It does not matter if mode or wallpaper is picked first. The selected list shows what you got.
To change a wallpaper`s mode, you must remove it and add it again, of course.
With the add, remove, up, and down buttons, the list can be edited completely as is.
Apply reads the selected list & writes the file directly from the list box ( they look identical ).
# Again, Stretched distorts, if pic`s aspect ratio is close to the screen`s, then it looks okay.
For pics not close to the screen ratio, mtPaint can crop the pic so it`s close, then Stretch.
Like some of my girlie pics were 1440x968, so I cropped off the non-girlie side to 1200x968.


Toni; I`ll try the copy command, I think you`re right ( as usual...). It worked in Vterm though...
I`ll do more test with Grub4Dos. I`ve used SysLinux and ExtLinux before too, with good luck.

I was thinking of boot options in a "Text gui panel" making them "user friendly".

It looks like the Porteus folks think as I do, it seems to have most of what I`ve talked about.
# I think the next version of Debian Live may have some of the things I`ve discussed.


William; I read it and many others, but as I said, only the Puppy help described anything.
# There should be a law that full and complete descriptions are required, no hiding stuff...
.

[mcewanw]

### HELP... I`m stuck on grub4dos. Nothing explains what`s really going on.

bootlace - does not work with ext4
weesetup need
http://forum.puppyrus.org/index.php/topic,15557.0.html

Terry, looks like Puppy Linux maybe uses some kind of workaround for booting from ext4 using grub4dos but mikeb in the link below unfortunately can't remember what:

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 509#728509

It's the grub4dos mbr which can't load grldr from an ext4 partition apparently. It isn't clear to me if shinobar is suggesting that the following grub4dos version will boot from ext4 (reads like that):

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 995#384995

I guess this is the grub4dos Puppy (shinobar's grub4dosconfig) instructions you referred to already:

http://shino.pos.to/linux/puppy/grub4dosconfig.html

Here is a 2010 post about ext4 issues; includes info about using 'wee' MBR:

http://code.google.com/p/grub4dos-chena ... etail?id=3

I think shinobar's grub4dosconfig uses that 'wee' mbr so should work loading grldr from ext4 partition.

IMPORTANT: Note that ext4 is now recommended if using usb flash drives since it contains several performance improvements compared to ext2, BUT it is important that you turn of ext4 journalling to prevent excessive usb flash writing, which would otherwise shorten its life. To turn off ext4 journaling you just use:

Code: Select all

sudo mkfs.ext4 -O ^has_journal /dev/xxxx

(or some variation of that such as sudo mkfs -t ext4 -O ^has_journal ... or sudo mke2fs -t ext4 -O ^has_journal ...)

I suggest using sudo above since normal user may wish to install to usb.
-----

As I've discussed earlier, it is also important to consider erase block alignment issues to speed up usb flash writing in particular:

http://www.thomas-krenn.com/en/wiki/Partition_Alignment

anikin pointed me to a radical (but somewhat complicated) approach to ensuring optimum alignment:

http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 958#766958

However, it seems from my reading that modern linux partitioning tools do a reasonable job at it nowadays (I'm not sure). Still good to have a quick read of the above thomas-kern link so you no what to check for.

[sunburnt]

Thanks William; Looking at the info. you`ve posted. I`m going to have to let this soak in.
Parted wants to start at 1 MB, but blogofterje shows an even better performance setup.

# Grub2 is looking like a good choice as it will boot ext4. But I`ll try to get info. on wee.
It`s good you pointed out the ext4 USB advantage, I hadn`t heard ext4 improved much over ext3.
If that`s the case, then ext4 for O.S. and persistence parts. on all media: HD, Flash, SD, and MMC.
Still the option for a first FAT32 part. for Weeners compatibility, but no O.S. or persistence on it.
The only other option is to use the existing partition, so I should say something about performance.
Also tell about swaps, a swap part. or file on a HD will be used. Else use another cheap USB.
# I think at this point a Help button with a popup dialog is the way to go.


Toni; If you have time, explain what`s needed to make mk-menu do localizations.

# Also vovchik has told me I don`t leave enough room for foreign languages on my guis.
# Do you guys have any feed back on this.? ### And how to localize my gui apps...
.