ABOUT ArchEX (Arch Linux Live), 64bit, BUILD 261010, 261005 and 261003 with MATE 1.28.2-2, KDE Plasma 6.7.5-1 respectively LXQt 2.4
ABOUT ArchEX (Arch Linux) LIVE System with MATE 1.28.2-2 DE, Refracta Snapshot, Calamares 3.4.2 and kernel 7.2.9-arch1-1 :: BUILD 261010
I've made a new extra version of ArchEX with the MATE Desktop environment. ABOUT MATE: "The MATE Desktop Environment is the continuation of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. MATE is under active development to add support for new technologies while preserving a traditional desktop experience".
IMPORTANT NOTE: ArchEX with MATE works very well when running live on my six computers. Calamares Installer is installed in Build 261010. It means that you can install ArchEX in any language.
MOST IMPORTANT: This ArchEX version has Refracta Snapshot pre-installed, which means that you can create your own Arch Linux System with ArchEX as a template. That is you can install ArchEX to hard drive (also in VMware or Qemu), change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and create a new ISO in about five (5) minutes. You will find your brand new ISO in /home/snapshot. You can change where you want your ISO to end up by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf. You can (for example) change to /mnt/sda5/work and /mnt/sda5/snapshot. That can be useful if you want to create a new ISO while running ArchEX Live. I.e. from a USB stick (using Ventoy). If you have plenty of RAM (32GB?) you can even boot up ArchEX in RAM and create a new ISO without changing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf.
NOTE: The folder work has to be on an EXT4 partition.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW to use Refracta Snapshot at https://archex.exton.se
Study all installed packages in Build 261010: https://archex.exton.se/mate-261010/archex-mate-installed-packages-261010.txt
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ABOUT ArchEX 2026.10 BUILD 261005 with KDE Plasma 6.7.5-1, Wayland, Calamares Installer 3.4.2, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 7.2.8-arch-1-2
I ve made a new extra version of ArchEX with KDE Plasma 6.7.5-1 latest version released 260908. "Plasma is made to stay out of the way as it helps you get things done. But under its light and intuitive surface, it s a powerhouse. So you re free to choose ways of usage right as you need them and when you need them". This ArchEX version uses kernel 7.2.8-arch1-2. ArchEX can very easy be installed to hard drive (if you want) with Calamares Installer version 3.4.2 (latest). I ve installed Calamares Installer from the Yay repositories. It means that you can install ArchEX KDE in any language. Everything will then be in your chosen language when the installation has completed.
MOST IMPORTANT
This ArchEX version has Refracta Snapshot pre-installed, which means that you can create your own Arch Linux System with ArchEX as a template. That is you can install ArchEX to hard drive (also in VMware or Qemu), change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and create a new ISO in about five (5) minutes. You ll find your brand new ISO in /home/snapshot. You can change where you want your ISO to end up by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf. You can (for example) change to /mnt/sda5/work and /mnt/sda5/snapshot. That can be useful if you want to create a new ISO while running ArchEX Live. I.e. from a USB stick (using Ventoy). If you have plenty of RAM (32GB?) you can even boot up ArchEX in RAM and create a new ISO without changing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf.
NOTE: The folder work has to be on an EXT4 partition.
WAYLAND
Some people think that using Wayland in a Linux System is very important. Wayland is said to be the modern, simpler, more secure replacement for the aging X11 display server, offering better performance . I have therefore installed Wayland with the command "sudo pacman -S lxqt-wayland-session labwc". You can choose between X11 and Wayland when you login to KDE Plasma from SDDM. X11 is the default display server.
Study all installed packages in Build 261005: https://archex.exton.se/kde-261005/archex-kde-installed-packages-261005.txt
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ABOUT ArchEX BUILD 261003 with LXQt 2.3, Calamares Installer 3.4.2, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 7.2.8-arch1-1
I've made a new extra version of ArchEX with the LXQt 2.4 Desktop Environment. LXQt 2.4 was released 260420. "LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel". I ve also installed Calamares Installer from the Yay repositories in ArchEX LXQt. It means that you can install ArchEX LXQt in any language. Everything will then be in your chosen language when the installation has completed.
MOST IMPORTANT about ArchEX LXQt
This ArchEX version has Refracta Snapshot pre-installed, which means that you can create your own Arch Linux System with ArchEX as a template. That is you can install ArchEX to hard drive (also in VMware or Qemu), change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and create a brand new ISO in about five (5) minutes. You ll find your new ISO in /home/snapshot. You can change where you want your ISO to end up by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf. You can (for example) change to /mnt/sda5/work and /mnt/sda5/snapshot. That can be useful if you want to create a new ISO while running ArchEX Live. I.e. from a USB stick (using Ventoy). If you have plenty of RAM (32GB?) you can even boot up ArchEX in RAM and create a new ISO without changing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf.
NOTE: The folder work has to be on an EXT4 partition.
RUNS from RAM
ArchEX LXQt can run LIVE from RAM. Super fast.
PASSWORDS
When the boot process is ready you will end up at LightDM login page. Log in to the LXQt Desktop as the ordinary user user with password live or as root with password root. When logged in as root you won t have sound.
WAYLAND
Some people think that using Wayland in a Linux System is very important. Wayland is said to be the modern, simpler, more secure replacement for the aging X11 display server, offering better performance . I have therefore installed Wayland with the command "sudo pacman -S lxqt-wayland-session labwc" in ArchEX LXQt. You can choose between X11 and Wayland when you login to LXQt from LightDM. X11 is the default display server.
INSTALL ArchEX to a USB stick
You cannot use Rufus or Balena Etcher in Windows. Those apps won t make the ISO file bootable. You can, however, use Ventoy.
No persistence.
Study all installed PACKAGES in ArchEX LXQt: https://archex.exton.se/lxqt-261003/archex-lxqt-installed-packages-261003.txt
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ABOUT PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF ArchEX with the Deepin DE
ArchEX Build 230812 and 220905 had Deepin 23/20.8 installed. Deepin works alright in those builds, but after a full system upgrade Deepin has some serious bugs. I have therefore removed those versions from the server. It seems to me that Deepin doesn't work in Arch Linux at the moment - 260104. I will probably try to install Deepin again later on. It is a very nice DE.
VIRTUALBOX/VMware/Qemu
ArchEX KDE/LXQt works very well in VMware and Qemu. For some unknown reason you cannot run ArchEX MATE/KDE/LXQt in VirtualBox. That is the System will boot up, but it is not usable.
NEWS ABOUT Calamares Installer
Now you can use Calamares to install ArchEX in any language in all ArchEX Builds. No need to "chroot" and install Grub. Everything just works!
WHAT IS ArchEX?
ArchEX 64bit is a new (261005/261003/260104) Linux Live System based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS ("Keep It Simple Stupid"). LXQt (in Build 261003) is "a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel". KDE Plasma (in Build 261005) is "made to stay out of the way as it helps you get things done. But under its light and intuitive surface, it's a powerhouse. So you're free to choose ways of usage right as you need them and when you need them". About the MATE DE (in Build 261010): "The MATE Desktop Environment is the continuation of GNOME 2. It provides an intuitive and attractive desktop environment using traditional metaphors for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. MATE is under active development to add support for new technologies while preserving a traditional desktop experience.".
MORE NEWS RE. BUILD 261010, 261005 and 261003
ArchEX Installer Calamares gives you control over the installation process. The latest Calamares version (3.4.2) is installed (by me) from source in all ArchEX builds. You can for example choose locale/language during the installation. I have also added GParted so you can create your partitions in advance. Watch this slideshow showing every install step when Calamares is running: https://archex.exton.se/calamares-slideshow-new.gif
INSTALLED SOFTWARE
Among many other programs, Firefox, Gimp, GCC, NetworkManager and GParted. In all versions I've added Yay "Yet Another Yogurt - An AUR Helper Written in Go".
BOOT UP the 261010/261005/261003 live System and LOGIN from LightDM to LXQt 2.4, from LightDM to MATE respectively from SDDM to KDE Plasma 6.7.5-1. When the boot process is ready you will end up at LightDM's/SDDM's login screen. Login as user user with password live to any of the above mentioned Desktops. You can also log in as root ("other") from LightDM in the LXQt and MATE versions. You can also login as root in the new KDE Plasma version from 261005. The password for root is root.
NOTE: When logged in as root you won't normally have sound in a Linux System. (PulseAudio can't run as root).
IMPORTANT: About how to INCREASE COWSPACE (Copy on Write) while running ArchEX LIVE (from a DVD or USB stick)
If you want to install a program or upgrade the whole ArchEX system while running ArchEX LIVE you may get an error message saying that the system is "out of space". Then run the following command:
sudo mount -o remount,size=2G /run/archiso/cowspace
You can set the size to 3G, 4G or even higher if you have plenty of RAM, but 2G is normally enough. You can check how much of the cowspace you have left with the command df. Watch this screenshot: https://archex.exton.se/archex-cowspace.jpg
NOTE: This is not necessary as regards ArchEX Build 261003/261005/260104. I have increased the cowspace with 4GB in advance.
VERY IMPORTANT about installing ArchEX to a USB stick
You cannot use Rufus or Balena Etcher in Windows. Those apps will not make the ISO file bootable. You can, however, use Ventoy - https://www.ventoy.net/en/index.html
INSTALLATION to hard drive
ArchEX can be easily installed to the hard drive of those who so desire. Use ArchEX Installer (Calamares). I.e. while running the live USB/DVD. Start Calamares from the LXQt, MATE or KDE Plasma menu >> System Tools >> ArchEX Installer. READ MORE: https://archex.exton.se/
LANGUAGE Support
The default locale/language is English. While installing ArchEX to hard disk (using Calamares), you can change the default locale to Swedish or any other language.
WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the "advanced" Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time. And remember: KISS.
BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
"Cutting Edge"-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.
YouTube VIDEO
Ike Santos (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ike.Santos) has made a YouTube video about ArchEX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPlHLEr6Ld0&feature=youtu.be
In the video you will get a detailed description about how to install ArchEX in VirtualBox using Calamares Installer.
READ MORE
https://archex.exton.se
ALL EXTON DISTROS
Sixteen (16) OTHER Exton distributions you may like:
All with English as System Language (locale). They can be downloaded from SourceForge.net - "Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory".
READ MORE: https://www.exton.se/download/
READ ABOUT MY OTHER BUILDS WITH ANDROID
https://andex.exton.net - Run Android on PC's
- latest is AndEX 11 (Android 11)
https://raspex.exton.se - Android for Raspberry Pi
- latest is RaspAnd 17 (Android 17): https://raspex.exton.se/raspand-17-android-17-for-raspberry-pi-5-with-gapps-google-play-store-netflix-youtube-and-bluetooth-pre-installed-build-260903/
261010 /exton
Download Latest Version
archex-64bit-mate-calamares-refractasnapshot-2970mb-261010.iso (3.2 GB)
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