Debian based lightweight Linux operating systems

Lightweight operating systems are helpful to revive old computers, including desktops and laptops. It consumes very less CPU and RAM resources. Lightweight operating systems are often powered by window managers such as IceWM, JWM, and Fluxbox. They require significantly less RAM and CPU power than popular desktop environments like GNOME or KDE. Such systems can enhance the performance of the less powerful machines. The Debian operating system does not consume too many hardware resources. Here is the list of such Debian-based operating systems. 

AntiX Linux is a very slim operating system that consumes only 250 MB of RAM to run. It's systemd-free, instead using lighter init systems like SysVinit or Runit, and it makes minimal resource usage and fast boot times.  AntiX also comes in different "flavours" (Full, Base, Core, and Net) with varying levels of pre-installed software. The "Core" and "Net" versions are extremely minimal.

Q4OS is another lightweight Debian-based distro available with the Trinity desktop and Plasma. Trinity desktop consumes only 256 MB of memory. 

CrunchBang++ uses the Openbox window manager and makes use of significantly fewer system resources.

BunsenLabs Linux Boron is another slim operating system that uses the Openbox desktop.

Slax Linux is a slim operating system with a modular design and a lightweight desktop, which are its highlights. The core system is kept minimal, and users can add or remove software by simply adding or removing "modules".

MiniOS is an active, lightweight operating system project. XFCE and FluxBox-based desktops are available to download.

WattOS is another rocket-powered distro with the LXDE desktop.

PeppermintOS, a well-customised Debian-based distro with XFCE desktop and added features.

MX Linux is another distro with customised XFCE desktop environment. It consumes around 495 MB to 505 MB of memory.

Debian LXDE and XFCE desktops also make a small footprint on hardware resources. The previous versions of Debian Linux (e.g. Debian 10, 11) were also fast due to their legacy kernels. Those who like vanilla Debian flavour, try the native Debian installer or Live DVD to experience a feather walk.

GNOME Flashback: a classic touch for your Linux desktop

GNOME Flashback can be giving your modern computer a retro makeover. It changes how your desktop looks and feels to resemble those older versions of GNOME. Choose Flashback if you find the newest GNOME desktop confusing or prefer the classic style. GNOME Flashback has a panel at the bottom of the screen, a traditional start menu, and different ways to manage your windows. In addition, it has no animation and does not consume much computer resources.

How to get GNOME Flashback

Existing Linux-based operating systems users can install GNOME Flashback desktop. Apply the following commands to the terminal to install it in Debian / Ubuntu-based operating systems:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install gnome-session-flashback

Reboot system. From the login screen, just look for the little gear icon next to your name on the login screen, and choose "GNOME Flashback" from the list.

Upgrading GNOME on Debian

The stable version of Debian often comes with an old GNOME version due to its focus on stability. For example, GNOME Debian 12 latest update comes with GNOME 43. The newest version of GNOME, as of writing this post, is 46. The latest versions of GNOME loaded so many innovative features. Debian 12 users can't simply update to GNOME 46. Here are the steps to update to GNOME's latest version. Debian 12 is used to demonstrate the update process. I request that the process be tried in a Debian 12 installed in Virtualbox for learning purposes and later tried on the production computer. Take the data backup before the update attempt.

Two ways we can do the GNOME update. Install the Debian 12 without any desktop. While software selection, uncheck the Debian Desktop environment and GNOME to get desktopless Debian.

Start the installation directly if you are using the Debian stable version with a desktop. Anyway, start the update process from here.

Install GNOME Core for slim desktop experience

GNOME is an excellent and modern desktop in terms of features and size. It is packed with so many apps and packages. Bulky-size GNOME desktops occupy a good amount of storage and memory. Linux distros are available with a complete package of the GNOME desktop. Users who want to try a lean GNOME desktop can install GNOME Core. The GNOME Core package contains the core components of the GNOME Desktop. Here, I select the Debian desktop to install GNOME Core installation. Debian Linux OS is flexible in the selection of desired desktops during the installation process. The GNOME desktop in Debian Linux comes without many modifications and is very fast.

Install complete collection of Google fonts on Debian/Ubuntu

Google Fonts is an extensive collection of Free and Open Source fonts. The collection includes more than one thousand fonts and releases under Open licenses (SIL Open Font License and Apache License). Google fonts can make use with word processors (LibreOffice, Abiword) after the installation on Linux based operating systems.

Users have to visit the Google Fonts website to download and install the font one by one, and it's a time-consuming process. The font collection maintains through the GitHub repository, where all font files can be download directly. Users can download the entire font collection and put it in the font directory of Linux based operating systems. Then the fonts become available for the entire system.

Download font collection

Visit https://github.com/google/fonts and download the fonts package.

Installation of fonts

A compressed file with the name fonts-main.zip download to the Download folder. Extract the zip file. A folder will appear with the name fonts-main. Rename the fonts-main folder to gfonts and copy the folder to home.

Move the gfonts folder to /usr/share/fonts, where fonts are located in Ubuntu. Apply the following command to move the fonts to the Ubuntu font folder.

sudo mv gfonts /usr/share/fonts

Refresh the cache of the font directory to take effect the changes.

sudo fc-cache -f -v

Check the new fonts available.

Open LibreOffice Writer and check the font, EB Garamond available.

Install Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop

Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop.

Raspbian is the official operating system for all models of the Raspberry Pi PC. Debian is the base of Raspbian operating system. Pixel Desktop is the GUI of Raspbian. Pixel Desktop is very lightweight and offer fast performance. There is a Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop is available for PC. Users can try it on desktop and laptop PC.

Here is the link to download the ISO file.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspberry-pi-desktop/

MX Linux: an emerging Debian based distro

MX Linux default desktop

MX Linux is an emerging distro with a beautiful interface and with the stability of Debian. MX Linux sticks on with Debian Stable version. XFCE desktop with enhancements gives a cute look. Conky desktop system monitor enhances the beauty of the desktop.

MX Linux application launcher.

A lot of customizations on the desktop to tweak the system, look and feel. Left side panel adds the beauty of the desktop. The user can change the panel to the bottom or top of the desktop. Search for MX Tweak from Application Launcher and change the panel orientation.

MX Tweak tool.

The medium contains Live mode. The installer can start after getting inside Live mode. Debian lovers can try the Debian based beauty and power packed MX Linux.

Sparky Linux for Debian lovers

SparkyLinux Minimal GUI Desktop.

Sparky Linux is a Debian derivative which concentrates on lightweight desktop experience with a beautiful interface. "Sparky is a fast, lightweight and fully customizable OS built around the Openbox window manager offering versions for different users and different tasks". Sparky available with 20 different desktops. They concentrate mainly on Desktop based on OpenBox window manager and LXDE. The desktop packed with beautiful icons and windows borders, such features enhance conventional Debian user interface.

SparkyLinux Minimal Desktop is very suitable for laptop and netbook computers with low hardware profile. Minimal Desktop of Sparky Linux preloaded with very few applications. So the users can install the desired applications. Minimal GUI will not eat computer resources much and can give a good performance. The stable version of SparkyLinux follows the Debian Stable edition. A stable version is suitable for production systems.

Reference

https://sparkylinux.org/about/

Install VirtualBox 6 on Ubuntu/Debian

Download the packages
Visit VirtualBox PUEL edition website and download VirtualBox Extension Pack and .deb package.

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Enable auto login with Debian

By default Debian has no auto login. Every time user has to login. I tried this method with Debian 9 XFCE desktop. The user can disable it by using below steps.

Open following file,

sudo mousepad /usr/share/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/01_debian.conf

Add following lines to the bottom of the file,

[SeatDefaults]
autologin-user=username
autologin-user-timeout=0

Replace the user name in the second line.

Save and Close the file.

Reference
https://steemit.com/software/@kskarthik/how-to-enable-auto-login-in-lightdm

Install HP LaserJet M1005 on Debian

Install following packages.

sudo apt-get install printer-driver-foo2zjs printer-driver-foo2zjs-common

Follow the steps in the below link to install HP Printer driver.

https://linuxhalwa.blogspot.com/2019/01/add-hp-printer-to-debian.html

Add HP Printer to Debian (Semi Graphical Way)

HP provides Linux drivers for most of the laser and inkjet printers. If you want to buy a printer to work with Linux operating systems, buy HP printers. HP printer drivers available with Debian and Ubuntu repositories. So no need to download and install the drivers from the other places.

Install the graphical interface to configure the printing system on Debian

By default printer settings may be not available with Debian. The user can install required components and the missing printer settings (GUI) in Debian by command line. 

Installation

sudo apt install cups cups-client cups-filters system-config-printer

Debian 9 (Stretch) Indian repository

Debian Indian repository can speed up the download speed while upgrade and installation of new packages. Indian users get the advantage of local Debian repository. Here is the Indian repository of Debian 9 (Stretch).

Add to sources.list

Open the sources.list using your favourite text editor,

su
leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list

Delete or comment out the existing repository details in the file. Copy and paste the following content into the file.

deb http://debianmirror.nkn.in/debian/ stretch main
deb-src http://debianmirror.nkn.in/debian/ stretch main

deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security stretch/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/debian-security stretch/updates main

deb http://debianmirror.nkn.in/debian/ stretch-updates main
deb-src http://debianmirror.nkn.in/debian/ stretch-updates main

Save and close the file.

Apply the following commands to update the repository information.

apt update
apt upgrade

Debian Hybrid images

I was playing with Debian 8 (Jessie) & 9 (Stretch) last few days. I tried Debian installation to revive my 7 years old laptop. Also, need to upgrade Linux and Koha in our university server.

My search for Debian images always ends at installer iso files. Installer iso of Debian available with fewer desktops; LXDE and XFCE. LXDE and XFCE belong to the lightweight desktop category. So the desktop's look thin with a poor shabby look!!.

My favourite Linux desktop is MATE. It gives a nostalgic classic look of GNOME 2. I always download and install with the help of Debian XFCE installer CD. Then install MATE desktop and remove XFCE. This practice took time and requires more patience. Little risk also in the work. Chance for the loss of lightdm display manager while removing XFCE. Linux will boot into text mode without a display manager.

What is Debian Hybrid image?
Finally, I found that Debian has hybrid iso images with a range of desktops including MATE. Debian Hybrid iso image contains both installer and live mode. "The live images come in several "flavours" providing a choice of desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, LXDE, Xfce, Cinnamon and MATE). Many users will find these initial package selections suitable".

Download
Linux newbies can find Debian MATE hybrid iso image more comfortable.  Here is the download link to hybrid image of Debian 8;

https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/

Debian MATE loaded with few goodies and faster than Ubuntu MATE. It also gives a gentle look desktop. Debian MATE duo can perform fast with laptop, desktop and servers.

Install MATE desktop on Debian

Ambiant-MATE theme on Debian 8 (Jessie).

It tried to install MATE Desktop on Debian 8 (Jessie) and Debian 9 (Stretch). I installed Debian XFCE from CD. Visit Debian Download page to get CD. XFCE desktop is not beautiful. So I decided to install Ubuntu MATE Desktop. Then installed Ubunt MATE Theme. Ubuntu MATE theme is very shiny.

Install Debian 9 Stretch (Screenshots)

Debian 9, release name 'Stretch' released on June 17, 2017. ISO images are available at https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-cd/
Here I am used Debian 9 with XFCE Desktop.

Download and burn the iso file in a CD/DVD/pen drive. Change the boot option of the PC and boot into Debin DVD.

Graphical install is good for newbies.

How to add Debian software repository

Software repository does not add when we install Debian Linux from CD/DVD without Internet connection. You can't update the Debian Linux without software repository. But you can add software repository later. Find a repository near your area. Download from remote server take long time to download updates.

You can find Debian software repository near your area by visiting Debian Source List Generator. 

In my experience, repositories from India is slow and so I make use Debian repositories from Japan. 

Add repository address to Debian

Open Applications > Accessories > Terminal 

Open sources file and add repository address.

su

leafpad /etc/apt/sources.list

Copy paste the lines to the file. Here is the repository from Japan,

deb http://ftp.jp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy main
deb-src http://ftp.jp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy main

deb http://security.debian.org/ wheezy/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/ wheezy/updates main

# wheezy-updates, previously known as 'volatile'
deb http://ftp.jp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-updates main
deb-src http://ftp.jp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-updates main

Save and close the file. Update the sources list.

apt-get update

Debian Squeeze released

After two years waiting Debian version 6.0 released last week.
The code name of the project is Squeeze.
The name of the version borrowed from the name of characters in the film "Toy Story". Debian web site is redesigned with the release of new version.

Home page is www.debian.org