mozillux Files

Hello world !

Our new release is available for public download and you can choose
between mini or full installation. Full installation is mini set plus
modules desktop, libreoffice, net, games.

Download mozillux and help our project by donating something
(whatever) to https://fr.tipeee.com/mozillux
or to our Bitcoin wallet found in the directory.

Then choose an usb drive, the best you can find, the better.
Mozillux installation is quite easy and you can do it with windows too.

Due to high security levels at work, we explain here how to build 
an EFI compliant installation, but this process depends on your
hardware and what works for someone may not work for you. 
Check notes below if you need to override EFI boot and tune your BIOS.

=== WINDOWS USERS ===

=> Format your usb drive in FAT32, no NTFS.
Then unzip mozillux zip file into your usb drive.

Then navigate into your usb drive to the folder /mozillux/boot
and run BOOTINST.BAT to make your usb drive bootable.

=> In modern windows, file explorer show BOOTINST.BAT as bootinst
It is your file to run, click it. A screen will appear saying
everything was done. 

=> Experts can also run it from a windows terminal, as follow:
Open a windows terminal with CMD. I mean: press the windows key, 
and type CMD in the black window. Then type the 3 following commands:
d:
cd \mozillux\boot
bootinst.bat

Note: d: is the letter for your new linux install drive.
If your system has set another letter to your drive, please
change accordingly.

=> Then shutdown/poweroff your computer as usual.
At next boot, your mozillux drive should show up in the boot menu
of your computer. In case of trouble, set your bios to boot in MBR legacy
mode with boot secure OFF. These UEFI settings belongs to windows and your
linux don't need them, just use MBR mode to avoid any boot trouble.

=> Please note:
- Windows FAT32 format have a file size limit of the 4Go. This means the space
allocated to your personal use on this drive will be limited to 4Go per
container. If you need to over-ride this limit, please format with linux ext3
or ext4 (and ext3 is favorite) or build your own modules as explained below.
Operating system files are saved independantly from users' datas.

- you can also use another drive or another partition to store your own files
  with no limits.

- You can format any drive you want, external or internal, not just usb 
drives. All drives are supported.

=== LINUX USERS ===

=> Locate file mozillux-builder and run it where it is AS ROOT. Then answer
on-screen questions. It will build a fresh and original mozillux
internal or external drive from where you are: inside mozillux, or
inside another Linux.

=> Experts can do it manually by following these steps AS ROOT:
1. Insert your usb drive, then check your system with command lsblk

2. Use fdisk to partition your target drive and then your target
partition should show up with lsblk command. 

3. Format your target partition accordingly.

4. Mount your new drive then unzip the mozillux zip file inside.
unzip -o ./mozillux-20.04.3.zip -d /tmp/mozillux-newdrive ; sync

Wait until finish, when you get a new prompt !
Do not proceed with next step until the writtings are over.

5. Then navigate into your usb drive to the folder /mozillux/boot
and install a boot loader in your new drive as follow.
Run BOOTINST.SH to make your usb drive bootable, type the following command:
sudo sh ./bootinst.sh

=> Wannabe-experts can use mozillux-builder from within 
mozillux to build a fresh and original mozillux internal or 
external drive. First, download the latest mozillux release
zip file, then run the following command:
sudo mozillux-builder mozillux-20.04.3.zip

...Where the .zip filename is the file you have just downloaded. 
Paths are not mentionned here, but you need them, accordingly to your setup.
Then answer on-screen questions and it will proceed all the above 
experts steps right like elites ;)

=> Then shutdown/poweroff your computer.
At next boot, your mozillux usb drive should show up in the boot menu
of your computer. In case of trouble set your bios to boot in legacy mode
with boot secure parameter OFF. These settings belongs to windows and your 
Linux don't need them.

=> Please note:
- You can format your usb drive to ext3 (with mkfs.ext3) or ext4 (with mkfs.ext4)
to get rid of the 4Go file limit due to FAT32 format. 
Set your partition Id accordingly with fdisk before format !

- You can format any drive you want, not just usb drives. All drives are 
supported.

- If you need to reset your usb drive you can use this command first:
wipefs -a /dev/sdX

... where sdX being your target drive (sdb, sdc, sdd, etc.)
then clean the beginning of storage with command:
dd count=256 bs=4M if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX | pv ; sync

then repeat install process, from start.

=== NOTES FOR EVERYONE ===

- If you have built your usb drive for EFI, then boot in UEFI mode !
  If you have built your usb drive for MBR, then boot in LEGACY mode !

  Users reported usb drives built for EFI cannot boot in LEGACY mode
  and usb drives built for MBR cannot boot in UEFI mode. 
  Though it seems straight forward, I had to tell you. Bear with me :)

- At boot, you can select 'Always fresh' boot sequence. This boot sequence 
  allows you to do whatever changes you want, so you can test some softwares 
  without damaging the system, because all changes will be lost at next boot.
  Whatever changes, mozillux will always get back to fresh and original 
  operating system. Just keep in mind you should note any change, in case you 
  want to implement your changes in 'persistant changes' mode.
  
- Boot sequence may seems slow, depending on your hardware, because of the 
  operating system installing itself in RAM, but afterwhile it will run fast 
  and faster, for a very long time. If you think your system is too slow, or
  if your system have less than 4Go RAM, you can choose 'Low RAM settings' 
  in the boot menu and mozillux will manage by itself what to install in RAM.
  You can also manage to not load unused modules.
  
- When asked for your password, type 1234 and this password will remain in 
  place until you change it. See below how to change your password.

- When running a program, the first load will be slower because of 
  decompression but all next loads will be faster.

- Some users reported their mouse not being detected and had to use a generic 
  3 buttons mouse instead.

- You can add or remove any software without disturbing the core system because 
  mozillux barebone is independent. But do this at your own risk as there is
  no guarantee that your personal datas will be safe. 

- The whole Linux eco-system is available and you can install snaps, flatpaks,
  appimages, apt .deb packs. Beginners use 'Discover' applications store 
  located in the main menu (at top-left of your screen). Experts can place their
  appimages into /usr/share/appimages and they will be loaded to RAM at boot,
  then they will appear in /run/appimages.

- NEVER install any software from untrusted sources as they could install 
  adware, spyware or malware on your computer. Against all odds Ubuntu did not 
  delist 'Deepin' communist softwares from their store... Which tells us a
  lot about their business. Now the Ubuntu depots are compromised with communist 
  softwares and it all depends on users to NEVER install 'Deepin', or 'Redstar', 
  or any other software coming from a communist country. Since years, they are 
  proudly spying, attacking and hijacking free-world computers with malicious
  software, even trying to destroy officials servers, and looking for the
  high score in their 'Hall of fame' ! There is a war raging on the 
  internet and you need to stay clear about what is going on. 
  Often check https://cybermap.kaspersky.com and https://www.zataz.com and 
  ask Firefox to translate pages by clicking the translate button (located at 
  top-right of Firefox window).

- When adding or removing a program manually (inside console/terminal) always 
  start with package update commands: apt update ; apt upgrade ; sync
    
- Install drivers for your own hardware, it will run better. Start with 
  packages updates (as explained above) then launch menu 'Settings' 
  then 'System Settings'. Go to 'Hardware' section and select 'Driver Manager'. 
  Install your drivers in tab 'Additional Drivers'. 

- Clean your system with sweeper. Experts can use bleachbit. Some applications
  like Firefox are set to clean itself, until you change the settings.

- Mozillux modular design allows low RAM memory systems (and others, obviously)
  to run mozillux in a lighter mode by preventing some modules to load at boot 
  sequence. 
  
  If you happen to be running mozillux in minimal mode, that is without any
  module loaded except glados.moz, you will find into /home/mozillux/WebApps
  some shortcuts to a few web applications similar to what is installed in 
  some .moz modules.

=== HOW TO CHANGE KEYBOARD LAYOUT ===

Right after installation english and french keyboards layouts are embedded in 
mozillux, that is QWERTY and AZERTY standards. You can switch from one to 
another by clicking left mouse button on the french flag located at top-right 
of the screen. 

If you want to add another keyboard layout, click right mouse button on the 
french flag at top-right of the screen and select menu 'Configure layouts...' 
Then a windows open up named 'Keyboard - System Settings Module', 
select 'Layouts' tab and click on the '+ Add' button. Insert your layout and 
click on 'Apply' button. Your new keyboard layout will appear under the french 
flag and you can now select it.

Even in 'Always fresh' mode, you can safely logout and login again, as
required by the system, but remember to not shutdown if you are running
in 'Always fresh' mode or you will lose your settings.

=== HOW TO CHANGE CURRENT LANGUAGE ===

Whatever the default language is set, you can easily change this. 
Open top-left menu by clicking on the menu icon, select
'Settings' then 'System settings'. Go to 'Personalization' section and select
'region'. Then change your settings in this window and press 'Apply' button.

Here again: Even in 'Always fresh' mode, you can safely logout and login again, as
required by the system, but remember to not shutdown if you are running
in 'Always fresh' mode or you will lose your settings.

Tip: no need to logout twice, just change your keyboard layout, then your
current language, and logout. Your settings should appear at next login.

=== HOW TO CHANGE PASSWORD ===

Until you change it, your password is:    1234

and your mozillux operating system is set to log in automatically.

To change your password, open top-left menu by clicking on the menu icon, select
'Settings' then 'System settings'. Go to 'Personalization' section and select
'Account Details' then 'User Manager'. In this window you can change password
and untick 'Log in automatically'. Be sure to untick it before you press the
'Apply' button.

=== HOW TO SHARE FILES OVER LOCAL NETWORK ===

You can share files with others computers in your local network by running
command: sharezone start
and you can check it with command: sharezone status

The files stored in /home/mozillux/Public are available for public download
with any browser at address link written on your sharezone status.

You can close your sharezone with command: sharezone stop

When your sharezone is running, only files stored into /home/mozillux/Public
are shared. 
	
=== HOW TO UPGRADE MOZILLUX ===

Check updates list, and backup your personal files before upgrading !

The internal update tool will update your system until April 2025, afterwhile 
it should be stable forever. It will popup an alert message in your systray 
anytime updates are available in official depots. This tool will also upgrade
your installed software each time one of them have a new release number.

Operating system upgrades are something different. You can upgrade your 
mozillux system anytime a new release, with a release number above of yours, 
is available for public download. This is a one-way only road and you will 
not be able to downgrade. I suggest you to test the new release on another
usb drive before you decide to upgrade your previous mozillux.
Never downgrade your operating system, it will surely break.

Mozillux support upgrades since v20.04.3 with a convenient internal tool 
called 'mozillux-upgrade'. 

=> If your system is above v20.04.3 you can use the internal upgrade tool:
  From inside mozillux, download the new mozillux zip file and run command:
  sudo mozillux-upgrade

=> From outside mozillux, that is from windows or from another Linux, 
 build a new mozillux drive and copy all files in the /mozillux/changes 
 directory into your new mozillux drive at the same place. Then boot into your 
 new mozillux drive. If anything goes wrong, you will always be able to step 
 back to your original mozillux.

=== HOW TO INSTALL OR REMOVE ADDITIONAL SOFTWARES ===

REMINDER: You can add or remove any software without disturbing the core system 
but do it at your own risks as new softwares may compromise your personal datas.
 
Always start by booting in 'Always fresh' mode and check that everything is ok,
install your favorites softwares and write your install-recipe, then reboot 
in 'Persistant changes' mode to apply your recipe. There is no dedicated tool
for this, you should do it all manually. It's quite some work, but it's worth
working.

If you need to install more softwares in mozillux and you don't want to use 
your personal storage, build modules.

You can also build your own appimage kit, if this is more convenient for you.
 
=== HOW TO BUILD A MODULE ===

And this should not be confused with kernel modules, 
though they have the same name.

Mozillux can load modules at boot sequence to complete your software 
installation. Modules are software containers, limited to 4Go size in
FAT32, and with no limits in other formats.

Modules are stored into /mozillux/modules on your drive. 
This means that in a running mozillux you will find your files into 
/run/initramfs/memory/data/mozillux/modules 

Right after installation, the following modules are available:

glados.moz   The core operating system
desktop.moz  A selection KDE compliants softwares to complete base installation

All modules except glados.moz can be renamed .moz.hidden to prevent their
loading at boot sequence. When glados.moz is the only one loaded, you will
find in mozillux an operating system barebone with only necessary tools.
This minimal installation requires only 350 Mo in RAM and can be used as a base
with X11 graphics and tools to build a custom operating system that will suit 
your needs.

If you decide to build a module for your favorite language, remember this module
have to be loaded LAST in list. Either name it zz-my-language.moz or
99-my-language.moz, as modules are loaded in alphabetical order.

Say you want to build a module for gimp, here is a recipe:

Boot in 'Always fresh' mode
apt update
apt install gimp
savechanges /tmp/gimp.moz

Don't do anything else, as it would be installed into your new .moz file.
The 'savechanges' command capture EVERYTHING that has changed in your system.

In 'Always fresh' mode, the directory /run/initramfs/memory/data is not mounted.
And thus /run/initramfs/memory/data/mozillux/modules is not available. 

You can mount /dev/sda2 then copy your /tmp/gimp.moz or you will need to 
copy /tmp/gimp.moz into an usb drive temporarily, then reboot in 
'Persistant changes' mode and copy gimp.moz into
/run/initramfs/memory/data/mozillux/modules 

Your gimp will be available at next boot.

=== HOW TO MANAGE MODULES ===

You can manage your modules in different ways. 
Either with modulemgr tool or manually :
  
Open a terminal with Konsole and request super user privileges 
with command: sudo su
  
Then go to modules directory with command: 
  cd /run/initramfs/memory/data/mozillux/modules
  
You can prevent loading a module by changing its name from .moz to .moz.hidden
  exemple: mv games.moz games.moz.hidden
  
You can request loading a module by changing its name from .moz.hidden to .moz
  exemple: mv games.moz.hidden games.moz
  
Then reboot.
  
If your computer boots in 'Always fresh' mode, you can use modulemgr to load 
and unload modules at will with no need to reboot.

When running in 'persistant changes' mode, the unload of a
module might as well hide some of the changes you already applied !
  
Experts can also load and unload modules while the operating system is running.
  Use command: modulemgr

=== HOW TO BUILD APPIMAGES ===

AppImages may be more convenients than .moz modules for some people, as
AppImages can run on any Linux. You can write a software in mozillux, build
an AppImages and use it anywhere else on another Linux, from another brand.

You need to download a .deb package and convert it to AppImage format. 
You will end up with only one file, that is a container for your
new software with everything it needs inside.

See AppImage kit documentation for more details.

=== BUSINESS PLAN ===

You will find here and there some links to our favorites, our partners, and 
our sponsors. 

Our favorites have nothing to sell. Still we love them enough to talk about them !
Our partners have donated something (whatever) to mozillux project and never
asked us something, like: "display our banner".
Our sponsors are engaged with us on this project to make it sustainable, and
really, we felt like we had to talk about them ! At least to say thanks.

These links are all related to our numeric life. You will not find any ad
for the local grocery, and if by any chance the local grocery would donate
us something it would not be mentionned specifically, though they would earn
our respect for a long time. 

Of course, you can remove them safely and it will not hurt your operating
system.

You can call them ads, and some will for sure, but these are not the thousands 
of unwanted and pushed adverts we all would have to bear when surfing the net. 
First because we selected them, and we feel good each time we talk about them. 
Then because they are very few.

We are still looking for partners and sponsors, specifically computers 
manufacturers whom would like to embed mozillux 'as is' into their computers, 
with no change, due to system security embedded. 
You cannot change anything at will in mozillux, and you are required to give 
back something to mozillux project for every sale.

Mozillux is built for a large audience worldwide and we hope to see 
manufacturers jump on board and sell mozillux computers and usb drives :

Mozillux computers are as much secured as usb drives and usually formatted 
ext3 (or ext4 on specific request) to override the 4Go file limit, though 
everything is possible if you need exotic setup.

Large capacity usb drives are usually formatted ext3 (or ext4 on specific 
request) for security reasons, while pendrives are usually formatted fat32
for easy file transfers with friends. But again, everything is possible.

=== WORDS OF WISDOM ===

Mozillux project started publically in August 2012, lead by me, and it have 
been through years with the help and dedication of many people.

Our project aims to promote Mozilla softwares in a sturdy environment. 
It is made by some mozillians, the Mozilla fan base, with love. Much love.
Let me thank you all here, you are too many to mention.

Special dedicace to Tomas Matejicek for its Slax and Live-kit projects,
which mozillux have been using intensively.

As far as I can recall, mozillians have always been asking Mozilla to produce
a Linux distribution and a Linux desktop, but to no avail.

Time proved us the world need an ethic company to carry on the project of a
stable, fast, secure environment for everything related to your numeric life.
Something to store your browser, emails, files, as good as Firefox.

We have always been told many Linux distributions already exists and that we
should rely on them. Well, no. They are not Mozilla foundation, and some don't
even share the ethic required to publish a Linux distribution. The last 10 years
clearly shown us we can't rely on them. And this problem has reached dramatic
consequences now that the world is at war against communists. 

Communists hackers from Russia, China and North-Korea are actively spying,
attacking, hijacking, everything they can destroy in the free-world and this
costs us and you an amazing bunch of money every year. 
Banks, credit cards, phones, tablets or computers, networks, servers, and 
everything our modern life rely on is at risk daily, to a point we could not 
even have electricity tomorrow morning. Signed cyber attacks against us and our
infrastructures are increasingly growing and worst than ever.

Today, 10 years later, we hope for your strong support, so this project can 
become real, for a better world.

Laurent CAS LittleBigOne

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