Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Sparky Linux
MAUI - New Finding
Only Reborn OS and BlueStar Linux can coexist with Debian GNOME
History of Linux
History of Linux
1991:
The Linux kernel is publicly announced on 25 August by the 21-year-old Finnish student Linus Benedict Torvalds.
1992:
The Linux kernel is relicensed under the GNU GPL. The first Linux distributions are created.
1993:
Over
100 developers work on the Linux kernel. With their assistance the
kernel is adapted to the GNU environment, which creates a large spectrum
of application types for Linux. The oldest currently (as of 2015)
existing Linux distribution,
Slackware, is released for
the first time. Later in the same year, the Debian project is
established. Today it is the largest community distribution.
1994:
Torvalds
judges all components of the kernel to be fully matured: he releases
version 1.0 of Linux. The XFree86 project contributes a graphical user
interface (GUI).
Commercial Linux distribution makers Red Hat and SUSE publish version 1.0 of their Linux distributions.
1995:
Linux
is ported to the DEC Alpha and to the Sun SPARC. Over the following
years it is ported to an ever greater number of platforms.
1996:
Version
2.0 of the Linux kernel is released. The kernel can now serve several
processors at the same time using symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), and
thereby becomes a serious alternative for many companies.
1998:
Many major companies such as IBM, Compaq and Oracle announce their support for Linux.
The
Cathedral and the Bazaar is first published as an essay (later as a
book), resulting in Netscape publicly releasing the source code to its
Netscape Communicator web browser suite.
Netscape's actions and
crediting of the essay brings Linux's open source development model to
the attention of the popular technical press.
In addition a group of programmers begins developing the graphical user interface KDE.
1999:
A
group of developers begin work on the graphical environment GNOME,
destined to become a free replacement for KDE, which at the time,
depends on the, then proprietary, Qt toolkit.
During the year IBM announces an extensive project for the support of Linux.
2000:
Dell
announces that it is now the No. 2 provider of Linux-based systems
worldwide and the first major manufacturer to offer Linux across its
full product line.
2002:
The media reports that "Microsoft killed Dell Linux"
2004:
The
XFree86 team splits up and joins with the existing X standards body to
form the X.Org Foundation, which results in a substantially faster
development of the X server for Linux.
2005:
The project openSUSE begins a free distribution from Novell's community.
Also the project OpenOffice.org introduces version 2.0 that then started supporting OASIS OpenDocument standards.
2006:
Oracle releases its own distribution of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Novell and Microsoft announce cooperation for a better interoperability and mutual patent protection.
2007:
Dell starts distributing laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed on them.
2009:
RedHat's market capitalization equals Sun's, interpreted as a symbolic moment for the "Linux-based economy".
2011:
Version 3.0 of the Linux kernel is released.
2012:
The aggregate Linux server market revenue exceeds that of the rest of the Unix market.
2013:
Google's Linux-based Android claims 75% of the smartphone market share, in terms of the number of phones shipped.
2014:
Ubuntu claims 22,000,000 users.
2015:
Version 4.0 of the Linux kernel is released.
Simply Mepis to AntiX
Simply Mepis to AntiX
Simply Mepis is one of the distributions I have installed in my laptop and desktop on a regular and permanent basis.
The other is Berry Linux.
I must confess that I use them for demonstration of cute little distributions and not for daily work.
Edited today 15-08-2010
I think I have touched upon some intuition.
What is written below was before the download of Mepis DVD.
Thanks to Guys and Girls in Mepis for sweeper (which I call a Mind Sweeper).
Making
me happy Mepis has introduced a package named Sweeper to clean up the
system. It is a welcome I had being waiting for a long time.
I had been
doing this manually until now even with PCLinux.
This utility should be developed into Mind Sweeper for others to follow.
I
use PCLinux (now 2010-01) on daily basis and it does not give any
problem because it has the nice habit of deleting unnecessary files in
tmp on a regular basis (at boot up) and there is no clutter or clogging
due to large log files (large log files that are essential for a server
and should not be used obsessively in a desktop).
I of course, on a
regular basis look at the available memory after three or four
downloads and having archived the images delete big files keeping the
distribution robust and up to date.
Whereas my wife and daughter
who also use two different (both PCLinux-2009) desktops on a regular
basis come to me saying that Linux sucks memory, since they download
many photos and the like files.
Luckily, I have not given them the
administrative rights and when things are bad in five minutes I clean
up the unnecessary files and get the box running like new.
The
cardinal mistakes everybody makes is that, not running the box over 24
hours at least occasionally and to let the Cron jobs run, that do the
clean up jobs in servers and desktops.
This is something that
Linux desktop developers should look at and develop cron jobs, akin to
frequent savings in office utilities.
I think a utility of this nature is essential for laptops.
What
they should do is to send a message at random fashion while the
desktop is being used and asking the user whether it is safe to activate
the cron jobs (name it the clean up jobs) without compromising the downloading and downloaded files still in the tmp.
Sorry for the diversion but I feel this piece of advice is vital for the newbies.
Coming back to Mepis it is one of the best distributions in a single CD and has everything one needs and sometimes things that are missing in PCLinux.
That is why I use them for some special occasions.
Mepis has
a new DVDs in bit 32 and 64 versions, I am currently downloading them
and I would write a few lines about them soon (having tested them).
Mepis is something one ought to have to get the fresh Debian like feel similar to Morphis.
Posted by Asoka at 6:57 PM
MEPIS Linux is my humble beginning in Linux and NOW, it is MX Linux
MEPHIS Linux was a Debian based desktop Linux distribution designed for both personal and business purposes. It included cutting edge features such as a live, installation and recovery CD, automatic hardware configuration, NTFS partition resizing, ACPI power management, WiFi support, anti-aliased TrueType fonts, and a personal firewall.
Though MEPIS Linux was eventually discontinued, its community continued on and merged technology from MEPIS with the very lightweight, Debian-based AntiX distribution.
The result is a project called MX Linux.
MX Linux is based on Debian's Stable branch and with features and components developed by the MEPIS and AntiX communities.
The distribution features the Xfce desktop with a vertical panel layout (instead of the more common horizontal panel).
The distribution also features KDE Plasma and a Fluxbox edition.
MX Linux is considered a mid-weight distribution that offers many modern applications (which are periodically updated through back ports) combined with a stable base.
The
distribution strives to offer good performance with convenient
features.
MX Linux is particularly well known for its collection
of graphical administration utilities called MX-Tools.
These tools provide easy access to managing user accounts, working with software packages and installing codecs.
Pros: Out-of-the-box support for graphics drivers, browser plugins and media codecs; stable core with updated desktop applications
Cons: Installer and some configuration tools look different and can take time to get used to.
It is intuitive.
Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT)
Available editions:
Xfce,
KDE Plasma unlike other KDE distributions it is sleek and cute.
Fluxbox running on 32-bit or 64-bit x86 hardware
Suggested alternatives:
AntiX has gone defunct but would revive an old computer in an instance.
Uses the old ROX File system and has many (?3 or 4) Window Mangers.
I loved it during Legacy days. Failed to configure WiFi.
It is only 1.9GB and I have a copy in my archive.
TeenPUP based Legacy OS 3.2GB which is packed applications also failed to configure WiFi.
Yes, I have a copy, if I ever I go home to Ceylon, I would take them with me to boot my old Tower PC still functioning.
Gnome Desktop
1999 Gnome
A
group of developers begin work on the graphical environment GNOME,
destined to become a free replacement for KDE, which at the time,
depends on the, then proprietary, Qt toolkit.
During the year IBM announces an extensive project for the support of Linux.
Gnome Desktop
This is an approximation.
I have not done any examination of Gnome all my life.
When one is using a desktop ones base one cannot asses it.
That is the reality.
But I can test KDE on top of it easily which I have done adequately.
I have said good about KDE of BlueStar Linux only and rest my opinion is biased and basically reserved.
Coming to Gnome Image it is little less than 6GB and over 5.5GB.
Indirect estimate tells me Gnome Desktop could take only 500MB just as much as Enlightenment desktop, may be the lightest desktop with lot of desktop effects. However, it has expanded over time but not compatible with WiFI configuration.
This is on top of the kernel and drivers and I do not know how much is taken for the kernel.
If I say kernel takes about 50% of the bulk, it is around 2.5GB to 3GB.
This is only a rough estimate and please do not quote it in any forum.
Nobody, knows.
What we know is Gnome Live DVD can be accommodated in a 4GB USB.
But the Live DVD does not have the Installer which it used to do in the distant past.
My first attempt at installing Debian during 32 bits time took at least 6 or 7 CDs, that amounts to roughly 4GB.
AI says 3 t0 4GB for Debian.
Gnome of REBORN OS takes 8.5GB nearly 3GB in excess CODE.
Debian has entered on the Live CD Flora in style.
It has core, light weight and four (4) light middle weight versions that include, KDE. Genome. Xfce and LXDE.
I like the LXDE but all are equally good and outstanding.
Being the God Father of Linux its repositories are full of utilities that nobody else can boast.
There are over 31 (I have 12 in my safe) CDs in its repertoire of repositories.
Thanks for following PCLinux's foot path to freedom.
Many thanks for your effort, you can be on par with UBUNTU your God Son soon.
Your grandsons will boast about the grandfather for many centuries to come.
A Short Note on Sepala
This piece is really on Sepala
As a doctor, I do not believe in any guy or girl in YouTube without their birth place or birth certificate. I know presently, a lot of Tamil guys and girls who have forged their (some even becoming Buddhist monks) birth certificates.
By the way, my Linux and Internet activity is long before Google was in existence. I have always associated with Google through Androids from Version 4 and 5 (Kit Kat and Jelly Beans) on cellphones and cheap Chinese Tablets.
This is ling before YouTube.
1. To begin with no birth date (age does not matter to me), in public display.
2. He is a self mad man on YouTube.
I even shun Facebook and gave up Twitter when it changed to X in July 2023. I made a little note with all my twitter collection most of which were based on Dhamma. It is in Ceylon in one of my SSD Hard Disks.
All my life I have made one (1) YouTube presentation and that is also on Linux.
3. He was J.V.P. guy in 1989.
4. I noted him only once when he made an adverse comment on Dalada Maligawa. I was born an bread near Maligawa and I could not take it but did not react.
He is not a Buddhist and I would not associate with him.
What we call "Mithya Dusti in Dhamma" terms.
If I take a Dhammpada verse, for example associating with someone like him leads to decline in Mental Health.
My devotion to Buddhism is total in spite some monks making deliberate falsification of Dhamma tenants.
Now I know he did it to get publicity.
Insurance Guys say even adverse publicity is good.
He used that ploy.
He was an ardent supporter of JVP.
He did not have an ounce of brain to understand that JVP and NPP use them and dump them. That is my experience in Peradeniya University and I never trusted a JVP guy or Girl, all my life.
5. He is very timid guy who cannot take a bit of ragging as a fresher.
That is his reasoning about not trying hard on academic activities but he is well read but his English may be not at Royal level. I
t is an example that Royal College is failing on all languages that include Sinhala and Tamil.
I had an elaborate program to prevent ragging in the Faculty, I worked but failed. They find alternative places we dare not reach and Thuggery is part of their Political Strategy.
Previous article is mostly on NPP/JVP and not On Sepala
A Short Note to Sepala
At least he has disowned his commitment to NPP/JVP which should be appreciated.
I disowned JVP long before they came into power.
I also knew they were very good at lying.
The electorate was taken to a ride.
Ceylon has become a Niragamika State or stateless, culture-less, history-less, custom-less, backbone-less (become rear state of India) and brainless guys in power.
It is a one party governance dominated by a party leader with bizarre policies. It is going ahead to become a country like China (in another 25 years).
They want to be in power for 25 years.
We must put an end to this bizarre hegemony now and we should not wait for 5 years.
We won't have anything left but fully fragmented country as wished by India and Tamil Diaspora.
Only thing they have promoted is alcohol industry.
We know some of the leaders in JVP/NPP are punched drunk when they address the public.
I think they want the electorate to be pinch drunk for 5 years. .
Who would like to live in a state like that?
At lease there are some elements mounting a protest and Sajith has become an impotent opposition leader.
We need to find a vibrant opposition leader.
Wimal Weera Wansa is the only guy with a vision and stamina to stand against these guys. I wish him well but he should be mindful and careful that these guys in NPP might try to assassinate him and try to put the blame on a rouge element from LTTE rump carders who are active under this Government.
People like me who has done the onus to the country when in service do not want to be active in politics, in twilight years.
So leaving the country was the only option available.
I left this country to UK in 1979, moment the six year compulsory service was over.
My children's grouse was why did I come back home while having a substantial job with permanent VISA qualification for UK.
I have addressed this issue here in two pieces (UK and New Zealand) and there is no need for me to expand.
The bottom line is they all ill treat "Overseas Medical Guys".
One can never be expected to work in a good university.
So I came back, and I worked for my ulma-mater with academic and research contributions.
There is is nothing left do.
I am not willing to contribute to a One Party State who are hell bent on destroying Buddhist background culture at the behest of Tamil Diaspora.
It is very obvious NPP got money from Tamil Diaspora.
They are all out to destroy CEYLON and divide the country into pieces based on ethnic and secular religious entity.
The real danger was that the voter did not see it coming.
In other words "Voter were Hoodwinked".
It is time to educate them and make them proactive. Waiting for five years is too, long.
If the CIA could mobilize and could overthrow Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the help of JVP carders it is time for the reversal of that sordid project.