Still using the LXQt 0.10.0 desktop and Linux 4.8 kernel

Dec 5, 2016 01:32 GMT  ·  By

GNU/Linux developer Arne Exton announced this past weekend the release of an updated build of his Ubuntu-based ExTiX Linux distribution for Intel Compute Stick devices.

Last month, we reported on the initial availability of a port of the ExTiX operating system for Intel Compute Sticks, boasting the lightweight and modern LXQt 0.10.0 desktop environment and powered by the latest Linux 4.8 kernel, tweaked by Arne Exton for Intel Atom processors.

And now, ExTiX Build 161203 is out as a drop-in replacement for Build 161119, bringing a much-improved Ubiquity graphics installer that should no longer crash, as several users who attempted to install the Ubuntu-based GNU/Linux distro on their Intel Compute Stick devices reported.

"Some errors in the first build have been corrected. Occasionally crashes of Ubiquity when running the previous version of ExTiX (from 161119) was the main reason for the new release, i.e. in Build 161203 Ubiquity (and everything else) would work as expected," explains Arne Exton in the release announcement.

Still shipping with Linux kernel 4.8.0-26-exton-IntelAtom and LXQt 0.10.0

Another interesting change that landed in the ExTiX Build 161203 release is the addition of LXDE's LXDM login manager, which replaces the SLiM (Simple Login Manager) display manager used in the previous version. Check out the screenshot gallery below to see how LXDM looks on ExTiX. Installation instructions and download links are provided by the developer here.

On the other hand, it looks like ExTiX Build 161203 is still shipping with Linux kernel 4.8.0-26-exton-IntelAtom and LXQt 0.10.0, despite the fact that Linux kernel 4.8.12 and LXQt 0.11.0 have been out for some time now. We do hope the developer will decide to implement these more recent technologies on the ExTiX OS for Intel Compute Sticks.

Update: We've been informed by Arne Exton that the next ExTiX version for Intel Compute Sticks will include the upcoming Linux 4.9 kernel, which is the reason why he didn't upgrade the kernel package this time to Linux kernel 4.8.12. Also, ExTiX will have support for streaming HBO movies and TV shows in the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

ExTiX Build 161203 with LXQt 0.10.0
ExTiX Build 161203 with LXQt 0.10.0

ExTiX Build 161203 (3 Images)

Spotify running on ExTiX Build 161203
ExTiX Build 161203 with LXQt 0.10.0LXDM Login Manager
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