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od4knb Linux®

[Translate this site - Vertaal deze site - Traduire ce site - このサイトを翻訳する]

TLDR

Table of Contents

[Contact] [Notice] [Licence] [Donations] [Special thanks] [Credits] [Broken links checker]

Bug Reports and Reviews

To report a bug, mistake, silent radio station etc. send an e-mail to:

od4knb monkey tail gmail dot com

Post a review, on the Reviews tab. You need a free SourceForge account for that.

Don't hesitate to ask for help on the antiX Linux forum. You can find me on the antiX Linux forum, as member @odie

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Mailing Lists (Newsletters)

"od4knb-linux-updates" Mailing list

  • to receive an email about all od4knb Linux updates (new radio station lists etc.): click here
  • to unsubscribe: click here

"Update Available" Mailing List

  • to receive an email only when there's a new od4knb-antiXradio ISO file available: ~ go to the header of this site ~ click the "Summary" tab ~ go to the white bar "Get an email when there's a new version of od4knb Linux" ~ enter your email address ~ click the [Next] button
  • to unsubscribe: click the "Unsubscribe me from receiving notifications for this project" link in the e-mail you received, with subject "Update Available: od4knb Linux"

[Go to the Table of Contents]

antiX Linux®

I'm a big fan of antiX Linux®, it's the fastest lightweight Linux distro there is! It runs very smooth on old i386 (32 bit) hardware. I use antiX Linux SysVinit as the base for my 2411D4 od4knb antiXradio distribution (.iso file/"distro").

[website] [download] [forum] [wiki] [manual] [review]

[Go to the Table of Contents]

The od4knb antiXradio project

The antiXradio app is the antiX Linux® Internet Radio Receiver GUI. It is a .sh Bash script that uses MPV Media Player as its engine.

The 2411D4-{Version}-od4knb-antiXradio.iso/img file contains a customized antiX Linux 23.2-sysvinit-32bit-full installation, that automatically starts the antiXradio app. It contains a lot of Dutch radio stations.

Superb performance

antiX Linux is the fastest lightweight Linux distro I've ever tested (and I've tested quite a few ...). RAM usage when antiXradio is running is 240 MB, but, when changing radio stations a lot, it can run up to 1 GB. When you restart the antiXradio app, it'll be 240 MB again.

Requirements

The ISO/IMG is optimized for old (2006) 32bit/i386 computers. The minimum requirements are:

  • 1-core 32 bit 1 GHz CPU
  • 256 MB RAM for using antiXradio
  • 1 GB RAM for using LibreOffice, Firefox etc.
  • HDD/SSD is not required, a 8 GB USB stick or DVD-player suffices

Wi-Fi

Because an .ISO file (contains an ISO9660 File System) is read only by design, you have to enter the Wi-Fi password every time you boot the ISO. Consider a wired connection using UTP (CAT5e/6/6a) cabling, or two PowerLine adapters to connect to your router, that'll work out-of-the-box. When you want to use Wi-Fi, please read the 2411DB Wi-Fi HowTo first.

SSD for better performance

When your HDD in your old laptop is too slow: you can buy a 2.5 inch 32 GB PATA/IDE SSD (44 pins). You can put a lot of Linux ISO's on a 32 GB SSD, when using a Ventoy boot loader. A 1.8 inch ZIF ("CE/LIF", 40 pins) PATA/IDE HDD can often be replaced by a 1.8 inch ZIF SSD, with a capacity of 128GB or 256GB.

Hi-Fi

To make an outstanding HiFi radio player out of your laptop with od4knb-antiXradio, you'll need the following:

[i] Look for the simplest Shure/Aiyima/Fosi/S.M.S.L./Nobsound/McGrey amp. You can add an input selector (a "pre-amplifier", just a switch without any electronical components) if you want to connect more audio devices to your amp. Ofcourse, you can also get a "big" amp from the thrift store.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Create a bootable USB stick with a Linux OS using Balena Etcher

This procedure describes how to "flash" (not copy) one .iso file, containing the Linux OS of your choice, onto an USB stick (flash drive) using the Balena Etcher app.

[Warning!] When you "flash" an ISO file onto an USB stick (flash drive), all data on it is lost! Make a backup of your valuable data first!

[i] This method is only useful for a small USB stick (e.g. 4 or 8 GB), because it allows you to put only one ISO file on the USB stick, that covers the whole drive. It's not possible to create a data or swap partition alongside the ISO file. For USB devices with a capacity larger than 8 GB, use the method in section Booting an ISO file from an USB/HDD/SSD device using a Ventoy Boot Loader.

[i] A Debian .deb or Red Hat .rpm package is preferred over the generic "Etcher for Linux x64 (64-bit) (zip)" package. Go to the Download page, click "▶ Assets", click the .deb or .rpm package.

  • go to your Downloads folder: [C:\Documents and Settings{YourUserName}\Downloads] or [/home/{YourUserName}/Downloads/]
  • Windows: double click the "balenaEtcher-{version}.Setup.exe" file, and follow the on screen instructions

  • Linux: double-click the "balena-etcher_{version}_amd64.deb" or "balena-etcher-{version}.x86_64.rpm" file, click [Install Package], click [Continue], click the [X] button when finished

  • take a USB stick, with a capacity larger than the size of the .iso file.

[i] Only Ubuntu creates very large .iso files (approximately 6 GB), but most Linux ISOs will fit on a 4 GB USB stick.

  • label the USB stick "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}", e.g. "Ubuntu-24.04".

  • write down the brand name and capacity of this USB stick on a memo, for example "Kingston/8GB"

  • dismount and remove all removable media (USB-stick/HDD/SSD) from your computer

  • insert the USB stick labeled "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}"
  • go to [start menu\accessoires\balenaEtcher]
  • click the [Flash from file] button
  • check: a item selector is shown
  • browse to your Downloads folder
  • select "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}.iso"
  • click the [Open] button
  • click the [Select Target] button
  • click the checkbox in front of the USB stick labeled "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}"

[Warning!] The brand name and capacity (GB value) of the USB stick must match the brand/capacity you noted on a memo! Make sure, that you select the correct USB stick, because all data on it will be lost!

  • click the [Select 1] button
  • click the [Flash!] button
  • check: a hourglass with "Flashing...1%" is shown
  • wait until the message "Flash Completed!" is shown
  • click the [X] button to close the window

  • dismount (safely remove) the "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}" USB stick

  • power off the PC/laptop to boot with the "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}" USB stick

  • insert the "{LinuxOsOfYourChoice}" USB stick into the PC/laptop
  • power on the PC/laptop
  • repeatedly press the button to access the Boot menu (often the F12 button)
  • select your USB stick using the [arrow down] button
  • press <enter>
  • check: the welcome screen of {LinuxOsOfYourChoice} is shown
  • follow the on-screen instructions

[i] Sometimes (e.g. with Ubuntu), you're promped with an [Install] or [Try] choice. Click the [Try] button, to boot from the ISO file.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Create a bootable CD/DVD with a Linux OS using XFburn

Older computers, manufactured before say 2001, might not have an option to boot from an USB stick (flash drive), but, when an internal CD/DVD-player is available, you can boot from a CD or DVD (CD-R, DVD+/-R or DVD+/-RW).

A bootable ISO file can also be "burned" to CD/DVD, instead of beeing "flashed" to an USB stick. To do so, you need a burning app that has a "Burn ISO" or "Burn Image" option. In this manual we use the lightweight Xfburn (for Linux), but you can use any CD/DVD burning app. K3b (for Linux) is also a nice app, but pretty heavy on your resources. On Windows, you can use CDBurnerXP for example.

Do the following:

  • Install xfburn using your GUI software manager, or type the appropriate installer command:
$ sudo apt-get install -y xfburn
$ sudo rpm -i xfburn
$ sudo dnf -y xfburn
$ sudo yum -y xfburn
$ sudo pacman -Syu xfburn

You can also download the xfburn package from the Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora repository.

  • Download the ISO file you want to burn onto CD/DVD
  • Insert a blank CD-R or DVD+/-R, or a non-blank CD-RW or DVD+/-RW, with a capacity larger than the size of the ISO file
  • Go to [application menu\Accessoiries\Xfburn]
  • Click the [Burn Image] button
  • Behind "Image to burn": click the folder icon
  • Browse to the folder containing the ISO file
  • Select the ISO file, click the [Open] button
  • Behind "Speed": select the lowest speed available, but not zero
  • Leave all other options default
  • Click the [Burn Image] button
  • Wait for the message "Done"
  • Click the [Close] button
  • Click the [X] button to close the app

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Booting several ISO files from an USB/HDD/SSD device using a Ventoy Boot Loader

TODO This section is in DEV state

This procedure describes how to copy (not "flash") several .iso files, containing the Linux OS-es of your choice, to an USB stick (flash drive), hard drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD), and boot the Linux OS of your choice.

[Warning!] When you install the Ventoy boot loader onto a HDD/SSD/USB device, all data on it is lost! Make a backup of your valuable data, e.g. with RescueZilla.

This method is especially useful for USB flash drives, hard drives, and solid state drives with a capacity larger than 8 GB, as it allows you to copy (not "flash") multiple ISO files to the USB/HDD/SSD device. For a USB/HDD/SSD device with a high capacity, it's a serious waste of space to "flash" only one ISO file onto the device using Balena Etcher.

[i] For USB flash drives with a capacity up to 8 GB, use the method in section Create a Bootable USB Stick with a Linux Operating System Using Balena Etcher.

[i] Almost all Linux ISOs can be booted using a Ventoy Boot Loader. You can check the list of tested ISOs on the Ventoy site. Not only ISO files, but also WIM-, VHD(x)-, IMG- and EFI files can be booted using a Ventoy Boot Loader.

TODO

For this procedure you need:

TODO Het is te ingewikkeld om de Boot loader op een 32 bit PC te krijgen, omdat de ventoy.iso 64 bit is > Create a Bodhi 32 bit CD with tools, containing Ventoy 32 bit, Veracrypt, Rescuezilla, gparted, inxi, hdd/ssd test tool and more.

  • a PC/laptop with Linux, MacOS or Windows installed to flash or burn the od4knb tools ISO
  • a small USB stick (flash drive) for the 32 bits od4knb tools ISO (***2 GB)
  • a large USB stick/drive, HDD or SSD to install the Ventoy Boot loader, and house your ISOs (64GB/128GB or so)

In this procedure we'll do the following:

  • install a Ventoy Boot Loader onto an USB stick (flash drive), hard drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD)
  • create a Ventoy boot partition (to store several .iso files)
  • create a data partition (to store your personal data)
  • create a swap partition (to store the Linux swap/page file)
  • copy (not flash) serveral .iso files, containing Linux OS-es, onto the Ventoy boot partition
  • boot a Linux OS from an .iso file from the Ventoy boot partition

[tip] You can attach an USB stick (or USB drive) onto your motherboard (internally) using an USB 2.0 pin header 9 pin to USB-A adapter, or USB 3.0 pin header 19 pin to USB-A adapter. Buy a fast USB stick, and check the manual of your motherboard, to see which pin header is available. An USB stick is much cheaper than an SSD. USB 3.0 is much faster than USB 2.0.

TODO

Installation HowTo for the Ventoy boot loader, you'll find in the 2404BE Refracta Snapshot Manual, section "#J. Using a swap partition on your USB stick with Ventoy".

Ventoy can also be installed on HDD/SSD: boot ventoy-{version}-livecd.iso (only 64bit); go to menu "Option"; on=Show all devices.

When I have the time, I'll make a separate HowTo about this subject, and create a 32bit "od4knb-tools" ISO with Ventoy-32bit (.deb contains "VentoyGUI.i386" app), Refracta tools, RescueZilla, Veracrypt etc.

More info: ventoy.net

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Make or restore a full disk backup with RescueZilla

If you have Linux, Windows, macOS or another operating system installed on your internal hard drive/SSD, it makes sense to make a full disk backup ("disk image"):

  • of the pristine installation (as provided by the OEM)
  • right after removing unnecessary junk, installing additional software and configuration (clean, without having used the internet browser)

If your (Windows!) system is wrecked, you can restore the HDD/SSD to its original state by restoring the full disk backup, which also contains the boot track. Rescuezilla refers to the boot track (MBR) as the "partition table", but the entire MBR, including the partition table, is copied to the disk image.

I think it is best to use RescueZilla for this task, as it uses the CloneZilla format, a robust standard for Linux professionals. I don't need to write a HowTo, because I found these (almost) perfect HowTos for you:

[!] Make sure to backup your valuable data before restoring a full disk backup, as it will overwrite (destroy) all data on the HDD/SSD!

[i] A RescueZilla .IMG disk image is not a file, but a folder with files whose name ends with ".IMG". You can also create/restore an .IMG disk image with CloneZilla, but that app is pretty user-unfriendly (it doesn't have a GUI), it's only suitable for IT professionals. RescueZilla on the other hand, has a very user-friendly/simple GUI, which makes it perfect for regular people.

[!] RescueZilla works great, but has two drawbacks:

  • You can only restore a disk image of (for example) a 512 GB HDD/SSD to a HDD/SSD that's 512 GB or larger. RescueZilla cannot resize partitions.
  • It is not suitable for data backup (your documents) of data stored on a designated data partition, because RescueZilla Image Explorer (to restore one or more files from an .img image) does not work well. Place your valuable data in a Veracrypt container, and make regular copies of it, to an external HDD/SSD.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Determine your CPU architecture (32/64 bits)

When you want to install a Linux OS on your PC/laptop, you'll notice that there are several different .ISO files (images to "flash" onto USB stick or "burn" onto DVD), for different CPU instruction set architectures available. The most common PC/laptop (baseline) CPU instruction set architectures are:

  • IA-32 Intel CPU 32 bit, most commonly named i386, also referred to as x86, i486, i586 or i686 [overview]
  • x86-64 Intel or AMD CPU 64 bit, most commonly named amd64, also referred to as x64, x86_64, em64t or Intel64 [overview]
  • aarch64 64 bit, most commonly named arm64, also referred to as "a64"

An aarch64/arm64 CPU is often used in:

[i] You can run an IA-32/i386 Linux OS, such as LMDE-32bit, on a PC with an IA-32/i386 or x86-64/amd64 CPU, but you cannot run a x86-64/amd64 Linux OS on an IA-32/i386 CPU. To get the best performance and results: run an IA-32/i386 Linux OS on an IA-32/i386 CPU, and run a x86-64/amd64 Linux OS on a x86-64/amd64 CPU.

For servers you'll find ISOs for: riscv64, ppc64le, s390x, mips64el, and several other architectures. Debian and Fedora support quite a few of them, but Gentoo supports them all!

You can also Google for "{CpuModel} {ManufacturerArchitecture}" (e.g. "Intel Pentium M Dothan"), but most of the time, you won't even find the CPU instruction set architecture that way.

To choose the right .iso file, or the right .deb/.rpm (etc.) installer package, you have to determine the bit width (32 or 64 bit), baseline architecture (IA-32, x86-64 or aarch64), and microarchitecture/feature level (sub-architecture) of the CPU in your PC/laptop. Do the following:

1. Determine the CPU bit width

[!] This is the 32 bits IA-32 .iso file, containing a Sysvinit init system, mend for an IA-32/i386 computer, but it'll also run on a x86-64/amd64 system. You cannot use a 64 bits x86-64/amd64 .iso file for this procedure, because it will not boot on a 32 bits IA-32/i386 computer.

  • check: "antiX-{HighestVersion}_386-full.iso" (approximately 1.8 GB) is downloaded to your Downloads folder

  • follow the instructions in the Create a bootable USB stick with a Linux OS using Balena Etcher section, to "flash" the "antiX-{HighestVersion}_386-full.iso" file onto an USB stick

  • power off the PC/laptop

  • insert the "antiX-32bit" USB stick into the PC/laptop
  • power on the PC/laptop
  • repeatedly press the button to access the boot menu of your PC

[!] When the Safe Boot option is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI, you probably cannot access the boot menu. Disable the Safe Boot option first.

  • select your USB stick (to be recognized by the brand name) using the [arrow down] button
  • press <enter>
  • check: after a while the desktop is shown

[!] When this .iso file doesn't boot at all, the CPU in your computer is neither IA-32 nor x86-64. It's probably an aarch64/arm64 CPU. You can use any aarch64/arm64 .iso file, and any aarch64/arm64 installer package, of any Linux OS, such as Ubuntu or Debian on your computer.

  • click the 4-leave clover application menu button in the left below corner
  • click [Terminal]
  • type:
inxi -v8
  • search in the output for the "CPU" section, for example:
CPU:
  Info: model: Intel Pentium M bits: 32 arch: M Dothan built: 2003-05
    process: Intel 90nm family: 6 model-id: 0xD (13) stepping: 8 microcode: 0x20
  Topology: cpus: 1x dies: 1 cores: 1 smt: <unsupported> cache: 2 MiB
    note: check
  Speed (MHz): 800 min/max: 800/1867 scaling: driver: acpi-cpufreq
    governor: schedutil core: 1: 800 bogomips: 3724
  • look behind [CPU\Info\bits]
  • when the value of [CPU\Info\bits] is "32": the bit width of your CPU is 32 (a "32 bit CPU")
  • when the value of [CPU\Info\bits] is "64": the bit width of your CPU is 64 (a "64 bit CPU")

[i] Do not look at the CPU architecture mentioned behind [CPU\Info\arch]. That's the CPU architecture designation of the manufacturer (e.g. "M Dothan"), not the CPU instruction set architecture (e.g. IA-32, x86-64 or arm64).

[!] Do not look at the values behind [System\Host\arch] and [System\Host\bits]. That's the achitecture and bit width of the loaded Linux kernel, not the CPU.

2. Determine the CPU architecture baseline

On a 32 bit computer

  • When the [CPU\Info\bits] value, in the output of [$ inxi -v8] reads "32":

There's only one baseline for a common 32 bit computer: Intel IA-32 (x86/i386). AFAINK that's the only 32 bits CPU architecture in computers available from the thrift store. Go to the [Determine the CPU microarchitecture/sub-architecture/feature level] section.

On a 64 bit x86-64 computer

  • When the [CPU\Info\bits] value, in the output of [$ inxi -v8] reads "64":

An IA-32/i386 .iso file, such as "antiX-{HighestVersion}-386-full.iso", can only boot on a computer containing a IA-32/i386 or x86-64/amd64 CPU, not on a computer with an aarch64/arm64 CPU. So, when you successfully booted the "antiX-{HighestVersion}_386-full.iso" on your PC, and [CPU\Info\bits] in the [$ inxi -v8] output reads "64", your computer has an x86-64/amd64 CPU aboard. Go to the [Determine the CPU microarchitecture/sub-architecture/feature level] section, or perform the following pointless actions ;-):

[!] You cannot use a 32 bit .iso file for this procedure, because then [$ uname -m] and [$ arch] will then return an incorrect "i686" on a x86-64 CPU.

  • check: "linuxmint-{version}-cinnamon-64bit.iso" (approximately 2.8 GB) is downloaded to your Downloads folder

  • follow the instructions in the Create a bootable USB stick with a Linux OS using Balena Etcher section, to "flash" the "linuxmint-{version}-cinnamon-64bit.iso" file onto an USB stick

  • power off the PC/laptop

  • insert the "Linux Mint Cinnamon" USB stick into the PC/laptop
  • power on the PC/laptop
  • repeatedly press the button to access the boot menu of your PC
  • select your USB stick (to be recognized by the brand name) using the [arrow down] button
  • press <enter>
  • check: after a while the desktop is shown
  • click the [LM button] to access the application menu
  • click [Terminal]
  • type:
$ uname -m

or:

$ arch

In case of an x86-64/amd64 CPU the output looks like this:

x86_64

Oh! We already knew that ;-)

3. Determine the CPU microarchitecture/sub-architecture/feature level

On a IA-32/"i386" computer

  • power off the PC/laptop
  • insert the "antiX-32bit" USB stick into the PC/laptop
  • power on the PC/laptop
  • repeatedly press the button to access the boot menu of your PC
  • select your USB stick (to be recognized by the brand name) using the [arrow down] button
  • press <enter>
  • check: after a while the desktop is shown
  • click the 4-leave clover application menu button in the left below corner
  • click [Terminal]
  • type:
$ uname -m

or:

$ arch

the output probably looks like this:

i686

The i386 (Intel 80386), i486 (Intel 80486), i586 (Intel Pentium 5, P5) and i686 (Intel Pentium Pro, P6) CPU architectures are sub-architectures of the 32 bit Intel IA-32 family.

An "i486" .iso file, mend for an Intel 80486 CPU and newer, won't run on a "real" i386 (Intel 80386) CPU, but an "i386" .iso file can run on any Intel 32 bit CPU, including an i486, i586 and i686. It's a bit confusing: the common name of an IA-32 Intel 32 bit CPU (which includes the i386, i486, i586 and i686 sub-architectures) is "i386".

[!] Bad news for IA-32/i386 PC owners: Fedora is thinking of dropping 32-bit support, so all the more reason to switch over to a Debian based distro, like antiX_SysVinit_32bit (lightweight) or LMDE_32bit (mediumweight).

[!] As of Linux Kernel 6.15, i386, i486, and several i586 CPU's are no longer supported, but i686 CPU's (IA-32 6th Gen. a/o 1995) are still supported.

On a x86-64/amd64 computer

The x86-64/amd64 CPU architecture baseline is devided into four microarchitecture levels (feature levels or sub-architectures): x86-64-v1, x86-64-v2, x86-64-v3 and x86-64-v4. Each feature level has its own set of features ("commands" you could say) that a Linux OS or app can use, to make it work more efficiently. An app or Linux OS (kernel) that's compiled (build) for an x86-64-v3 CPU, can run on a CPU that supports x86-64-v3 and/or x86-64-v4, but not on a CPU that only supports x86-64-v1 and/or x86-64-v2.

Most Linux OS-es support all x86-64/amd64 CPU's in their x86-64/amd64 .iso file. For those OS-es it's enough to know your CPU architecture baseline.

Linux distros, that don't suppport the x86-64-v1 and x86-64-v2 microarchitecture levels any more, and will only run on a CPU that supports at least x86-64-v3:

A Linux distro, that doesn't suppport the x86-64-v1 microarchitecture level any more, and will only run on a CPU that supports at least x86-64-v2:

A Linux distro that's considering dropping suppport for x86-64-v1:

Not a good move by these distros. Performance is only marginally better, and this results in more e-waste :-(

To determine the microarchitecture (feature) level of your CPU, do the following:

  • grab an USB stick, with a capacity of 4 GB or larger
  • label the USB stick "Linux Mint Cinnamon"
  • Download Linux Mint Cinnamon 64 bit

[!] You cannot use a 32 bit .iso file for this procedure, because a 32 bit .iso doesn't contain the required 64 bit "ld-linux-x86-64.so.2" app.

  • check: "linuxmint-{version}-cinnamon-64bit.iso" (approximately 2.8 GB) is downloaded to your Downloads folder

  • follow the instructions in the Create a bootable USB stick with a Linux OS using Balena Etcher section, to "flash" the "linuxmint-{version}-cinnamon-64bit.iso" file onto an USB stick

  • power off the PC/laptop to boot with the "Linux Mint Cinnamon" USB stick

  • insert the "Linux Mint Cinnamon" USB stick into the PC/laptop
  • power on the PC/laptop
  • repeatedly press the button to access the boot menu of your PC
  • select your USB stick (to be recognized by the brand name) using the [arrow down] button
  • press <enter>
  • check: after a while the desktop is shown
  • click the [LM button] to access the application menu
  • click [Terminal]
  • type:
$ /usr/lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 --help
  • check: the "ld-linux-x86-64.so.2" app is started, with the "--help" parameter
  • in the output, go to the section "Subdirectories of glibc-hwcaps ..." at the end
  • when it reads:
Subdirectories of glibc-hwcaps directories, in priority order:
  x86-64-v4
  x86-64-v3
  x86-64-v2

your CPU does support x86-64-v1 but not x86-64-v2, x86-64-v3 and x86-64-v4. CentOS Stream 10, RHEL 10 and Rocky Linux 10 cannot run on this CPU. x86-64-v1 is the lowest level, not shown in this list, but always supported on a x86-64 CPU.

  • when it reads:
Subdirectories of glibc-hwcaps directories, in priority order:
  x86-64-v4
  x86-64-v3 (supported, searched)
  x86-64-v2 (supported, searched)

your CPU does support x86-64-v1, x86-64-v2, and x86-64-v3, but not x86-64-v4. CentOS Stream 10, RHEL 10 and Rocky Linux 10 can run on this CPU.

  • when it reads:
bash: /usr/lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2: No such file or directory

you booted from a 32 bit Linux .iso file (or 32 bit installed Linux OS), which never contains the 64 bit "ld-linux-x86-64.so.2" app.

Sidenotes

[i] The inxi "-v8" switch implies "show all information", but even then, some info is still unavailable. To show all info, do the following:

  • [$ sudo apt-get install -y smartmontools] (to show the HDD/SSD temperatures)
  • [$ sudo inxi -v8] (to show all <superuser required> and <root privileges required> information)

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Determine the base of your Linux distro

When you want to install an app, using your GUI software manager, or by typing [$ sudo apt install {AppName}] (e.g.), the package might not be available in the software repository (repo) of your Linux OS. You'll get an error message: "E: Unable to locate package {AppName}".

When the desired package is not in the repo of your Linux OS (distro), you can still download a package that's designed for the Linux OS "base" (the OS that's "under the hood") of your Linux distro, from the creator's website, or from another repo elsewhere (e.g. Github.com or SourceForge.net). For that, you need to know:

[!] Be very careful, when downloading a package from another source than the designated repositories of Linux OS, as it may contain malware. The safest way to go, is using your package installer app center or installer command (APT/RPM/DNF etc.).

To determine the OS base:

  • Open your Terminal app
  • type:
$ inxi -v8
  • Go to the "System" section
System:
  Host: od4knb Kernel: 5.10.224-antix.1-486-smp arch: i686 bits: 32
    compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0 clocksource: hpet avail: acpi_pm
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.10.224-antix.1-486-smp
  Desktop: IceWM v: 3.6.0 tools: avail: slock,xlock dm: slimski v: 1.5.0
    Distro: antiX-23.2_386-full Arditi del Popolo 6 October 2024 base: Debian
    GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
  • Look after [System:\Desktop:\base:]

In this case the base OS is "Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)"

When inxi is not installed, issue the appropiate command to install it:

$ sudo apt-get install -y inxi
$ sudo rpm -i inxi
$ sudo dnf -y inxi
$ sudo yum -y inxi
$ sudo pacman -Syu inxi

On Kali Linux, installing inxi might be a bit difficult ;-)

[i] You can install an installer package (containing an app), when your Linux operating system is booted from an .iso file (flashed to an USB stick or copied to a Ventoy boot partition). The package will be temporarily installed into the RamDisk (RamDrive), which is part of your computer's volatile memory (RAM). However, after a reboot the app will be removed. Nonetheless, this can be very usefull when you quickly need a small app like a screendump utility, or a encryption app, e.g. (my favorites):

$ sudo apt-get install -y flameshot && sudo apt-get install -y zulucrypt-gui

[i] Note, that when you install apps on your RamDisk, the amount of memory (RAM) available for the running apps will be lower. Do not install large apps like LibreOffice or K3b on your RamDisk. This will take a long time to install, and will fill your memory (RAM), which can crash your PC.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

antiXradio .deb package for installation on Debian based Linux distros

If you do not want to use the 2411D4-{version}-od4knb-antiXradio.iso/img, but you do want to install the antiXradio GUI on your own Linux installation, you can download the "antixradio_{version}_all.deb" package from the MX repository.

[i] MX Linux is the middleweight "nephew" of lightweight antiX Linux. The MX Repository is safe to use.

[!] The path to the folder containing the antiXradio packages (la.mxrepo.com/antix/bookworm/pool/main/a/antixradio/), changes when antiX Linux stops using Debian 12 (codename "Bookworm") as a base, and instead uses its successor. You should then replace the string bookworm in the path with the codename of the successor (you'll then find a folder with that name). And of course, you can always use Google Search.

A .deb package can be installed on all Debian based and Ubuntu based distributions, such as antiX Linux, Ubuntu and Linux Mint.

[i] Ubuntu is based on Debian, but distributions based on Ubuntu (e.g. Zorin OS/Pop! OS) are not called "Debian based", but "Ubuntu based" (or Ubuntu derivates), even though they do have Debian components under the hood. To keep it simple: there are only two "level 1" Linux OS bases: Debian and Fedora, the other distributions are derivatives of those. When I say "Debian based" here, I mean all Linux OSes that contain Debian components, including e.g. "level 3" OS Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu). antiX Linux is "level 2" (based on Debian), od4knb Linux is "level 3" (based on antiX Linux).

The easiest way to install the .deb package is by using the GDebi or Captain Package Installer GUI: right-click the .deb file; click "Open with Package Installer" (or GDebi). When GDebi is not installed on your system, you can install it using:

$ sudo apt install gdebi

When GDebi is not available in your repository, you can try installing Captain:

$ sudo apt install captain

If you do not want to use GDebi or Captain, issue the following command in Terminal:

$ sudo apt install "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.deb"

or, when you hate the [Y/n] prompt ;-):

$ sudo apt-get install -y "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.deb"

[!] Replace {version} with the actual version number.

Notes:

  • antiXradio can only run on Linux systems, as it depends on the Bash Command Line Interpreter (Terminal/CLI), which is only available on Linux systems.
  • Because antiXradio also depends on MPV Media Player (it uses the MPV engine), MPV will be installed, when it is not already installed.

Download and install a MPV Media Player Debian .deb package

When the installation of MPV Media Player, using the "antixradio_{version}all.deb" package failed, you can download the MPV Media Player package from the Debian repository, or Ubuntu repository. Download "mpv{HighestVersion}amd64.deb" for an Intel/AMD 64 bit computer (x86_64), or "mpv{HighestVersion}_i386.deb" for an older Intel 32 bit computer. You'll also find packages for computers with an ARM CPU (processor).

[!] Allways install a "mpv_{HighestVersion}_{amd64/i386}.deb" package. Never install a "{fileName}.ddeb" package, or packages that have "devel", "dbg" or "dbgsym" in the file name, those are "development" or "debug" packages.

  • Use GDebi or Captain Package Installer GUI to install the .deb package, or
  • Use the following command:
$ sudo apt-get install -y "/home/$USER/Downloads/mpv_{HighestVersion}_{amd64/i386}.deb"

[i] $USER" is your user name. In the Terminal app (look for a black "$_" icon), your user name is shown before the "@" sign. Replace {HighestVersion} with the actual version number. Replace "{amd64/i386}" with the actual CPU architecture.

[i] If your Linux OS needs a .rpm or .pkg package: read the Download and install a MPV Media Player Fedora .rpm package or Convert a .deb package to .rpm or .pkg for use on non-Debian based Linux distros section.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Download and install a MPV Media Player Fedora .rpm package

When your Linux OS cannot install a Debian based .deb package, there are ready-to-install mpv packages availabe in the .rpm (Red Hat Package Manager) package format. RPM packages are available for all RPM based distributions.

[!] This HowTo is about Fedora .rpm packages, which can be installed on all Fedora based distros. There's no guarantee that .rpm Fedora package will install on a RPM based distribution that doesn't have Fedora "under the hood", such as OpenSUSE or Mandriva.

[i] Only download "fc" (Fedora Core) packages. "fc42" (e.g.) is mend for a Fedora 42 GNOME, KDE Plasma or CoreOS consumer distro. Do not use the "el/ep" (for Fedora Enterprise Linux EPEL), or "eln" (Enterprise Linux Next development environment) packages, unless you are a Linux-pro.

  • scroll down to the "RPMs" section
  • go to the CPU architecture that's in your computer (most likely x86_64)
  • click the "download" link behind "mpv-{version}.x86_64.rpm" (link on top)

[!] Do not use a devel, libs, debuginfo, debugsource or libs-debuginfo package

[i] There's also an aarch64 (ARM64) package available, but no i386 (Intel 32 bit CPU) package.

  • Install the "mpv-{HighestMpvVersion}.fc{FedoraVersion}.x86_64.rpm" package using your GUI package installer, or one of the following commands:
$ sudo rpm -i "/home/$USER/Downloads/mpv-{HighestMpvVersion}.fc{FedoraVersion}.x86_64.rpm"
$ sudo dnf -y install "/home/$USER/Downloads/mpv-{HighestMpvVersion}.fc{FedoraVersion}.x86_64.rpm"
$ sudo yum -y install "/home/$USER/Downloads/mpv-{HighestMpvVersion}.fc{FedoraVersion}.x86_64.rpm"

[i] MPV Media Player is also available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android and BSD. You can download the installers/packages from the MPV website. The antiXradio GUI (a Bash .sh script, that uses MPV "under the hood"), can only run on a Linux OS.

Convert a .deb package to .rpm or .pkg for use on non-Debian based Linux distros

When your Linux OS cannot install a Debian based .deb package, and you couldn't find a ready-to-use .rpm package, you can also convert the "antixradio_{version}_all.deb" package, to a package format that your OS can install.

You can convert a .deb package using Alien Package Converter. Alien can convert the .deb package into the following formats:

  • Red Hat Package Manager (.rpm, for all RPM based distros)
  • Oracle Solaris (.pkg, BSD based)
  • Linux Standard Base (.lsb)
  • Slackware (.tgz, .txz, .tbz, .tlz)
  • Stampede (.slp)

[i] Alien cannot convert from/to a Pacman .pkg.tar.zst or .pkg.tar.xz package used by Arch Linux bases OS-es

Install Alien:

$ sudo apt-get -y install alien

$ sudo dnf -y install alien

$ sudo dnf -y install epel-release && \
sudo dnf -y install alien

[i] Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is the commercial variant of Fedora Linux

  • APK: Android, Alpine Linux:
$ sudo apk add alien

Convert the .deb package:

$ sudo alien --to-rpm "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.deb"

[i] Replace {version} with the actual version number

  • to antixradio_{version}_all.pkg (Solaris): 
$ sudo alien --to-pkg "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.deb"

Install the converted package:

  • antixradio_{version}_all.rpm (all RPM based distros), use one of the following commands:
$ sudo rpm -i "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.rpm"
$ sudo dnf -y install "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.rpm"
$ sudo yum -y install "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.rpm"

[i] Replace {version} with the actual version number

  • antixradio_{version}_all.pkg (Solaris package): 
$ sudo pkg install -y "/home/$USER/Downloads/antixradio_{version}_all.pkg"

[Go to the Table of Contents]

antiXradio semi portable .tar.xz package for use on Debian based Linux distros

When you did not succeed in installing the .deb package, you can also "install" (just copy, no install) the portable "antixradio_{version}.tar.xz" package on your Debian based Linux system.

[i] A portable package is not installed in the application folders (/bin, /usr/bin, /etc, /lib etc.), but simply copied to your /home/$USER folder. A "fully portable" package contains all the required packages (binaries etc.) that the application needs to run. The antiXradio .tar.xz package is "semi portable", as it lacks the required packages mentioned below.

Perform the following actions:

[i] APT Package Installer (the apt/apt-get command) is available on all Debian based Linux distributions, such as antiX Linux, Ubuntu and Linux Mint.

  • Install the packages that are required by antiXradio, by issueing this command string in your Terminal (Command Line Interpreter):
$ sudo apt-get -y install mpv && \
sudo apt-get -y install socat && \
sudo apt-get -y install yad && \
sudo apt-get -y install xdotool && \
sudo apt-get -y install wmctrl && \
sudo apt-get -y install netcat-traditional && \
sudo apt-get -y install netcat-bsd && \
sudo apt-get -y install sed && \
sudo apt-get -y install xdg-utils

[!] The package netcat-traditional or netcat-bsd is required. A Failed installation of one of them is OK. "nc" is netcat for short.

  • go to the MX repository
  • download the "antixradio_{version}.tar.xz" file to [/home/$USER/]

[i] "$USER" is your user name. In the Terminal app (look for a black "$_" icon), your user name is shown before the "@" sign.

  • extract the file using your Archive Manager into [/home/$USER/]
  • make [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio] (the "app", a .sh Bash script) executable (usually using Right-click\Permissions\on=allow executing file as a program)
  • create a shortcut (Symlink) to [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio] on your desktop
  • go to [application-menu-button\File Manager]
  • go to [Menu View]
  • click the "Show hidden files" check box
  • open the [/home/$USER/.config] folder
  • create a folder named "antiXradio" (case sensitive!), in the [/home/$USER/.config] folder

[i] A {dot}{folderName} folder (e.g. ".config") has a "hidden" label.

  • go to folder [/home/$USER/antixradio/]
  • copy the "stations" folder, with all of its contents, into folder [/home/$USER/.config/antiXradio/]
  • right-click the antiXradio shortcut on your desktop

[i] You can also right-click [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio]

  • click [Open\Execute], and/or:
  • click the [Run in Terminal] button
  • the antiXradio GUI is started
  • click the [Load another list] button
  • select a radios*.txt file
  • click the [OK] button
  • select a radio station
  • click the [Play] button

[Go to the Table of Contents]

antiXradio semi portable .tar.xz package for use on non-Debian based Linux distros

When APT Package Installer (the apt/apt-get command) is not available on your system, use your GUI software manager, or use one of the following commands:

$ sudo rpm -i {PackageName}
$ sudo dnf -y install {PackageName}
$ sudo yum -y install {PackageName}
$ sudo pkg install -y {PackageName}
$ sudo pacman -Syu {PackageName}

to install the following required packages:

  • mpv (MPV Media Player)
  • socat (SOcket CAT byte streams data transfer)
  • yad (Yet Another Dialog, GUI for Bash scripts)
  • xdotool (X11 Input Simulator)
  • wmctrl (Window Manager Control for EWMH/NetWM WMs)
  • netcat-traditional or netcat-bsd (TCP/UDP reader/writer)
  • sed (SED Stream Editor)
  • xdg-utils (XDG Desktop Integration Tools)

and perform the following actions:

  • go to the MX repository
  • download the "antixradio_{version}.tar.xz" file to [/home/$USER/]

[i] "$USER" is your user name. In the Terminal app (look for a black "$_" icon), your user name is shown before the "@" sign.

  • extract the file using your Archive Manager into [/home/$USER/]
  • make [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio] (the "app", a .sh Bash script) executable (usually using Right-click\Permissions\on=allow executing file as a program)
  • create a shortcut (Symlink) to [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio] on your desktop
  • go to [application-menu-button\File Manager]
  • go to [Menu View]
  • click the "Show hidden files" check box
  • open the [/home/$USER/.config] folder
  • create a folder named "antiXradio" (case sensitive!), in the [/home/$USER/.config] folder

[i] A {dot}{folderName} folder (e.g. ".config") has a "hidden" label.

  • go to folder [/home/$USER/antixradio/]
  • copy the "stations" folder, with all of its contents, into folder [/home/$USER/.config/antiXradio/]
  • right-click the antiXradio shortcut on your desktop

[i] You can also right-click [/home/$USER/antixradio/bin/antiXradio]

  • click [Open\Execute], and/or:
  • click the [Run in Terminal] button
  • the antiXradio GUI is started
  • click the [Load another list] button
  • select a radios*.txt file
  • click the [OK] button
  • select a radio station
  • click the [Play] button

Notes:

  • The package netcat-traditional or netcat-bsd is required. A Failed installation of one of them is OK. "nc" is netcat for short.
  • Not all Linux distros use the X11 Window manager, so xdotool may not be available for your Linux OS (that's a bummer ;-(

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Error: "su: Authentication failure" Root password is not set (blank)

On Linux Mint (e.g.) the root password is not set (blank) by default. When you issue the command:

$ su - root

to use the root account's privileges in the Terminal app, and you type <enter> on the "Password:" prompt, you'll get an error message:

su: Authentication failure

For certain applications, such as [$ visudo] (to change the /etc/sudoers file), the sudo command (elevatad privileges for a normal user) doesn't suffice. When you issue:

$ sudo visudo

you'll notice the message in the /etc/sudoers file:

# This file MUST be edited with the 'visudo' command as root.

To use the visudo command (e.g.) you have to set the root password first. Do the following:

  • type command:
$ sudo passwd root
  • press <enter>
  • prompt: "[sudo] password for $USER:"

[i] When this message is not presented, you can proceed to [ref2].

[i] "$USER" is your user name (account name). This name is shown before the "@" sign in the Terminal app.

  • enter the password of $USER
  • press <enter>

[i] The password of $USER can be blank. In that case, just press <enter> at the prompt.

  • [ref2] prompt: "New password:"
  • type the new password for the "root" (administrator) account

[!] The root password must be strong, otherwise you might get an error message "You must choose a longer password".

  • press <enter>
  • prompt: "Retype new password:"
  • type the new password for the "root" account again
  • press <enter>
  • message: "passwd: password updated succesfully"
  • register the root password in your password database

You can now issue commands as root in the Terminal app, for example:

$ su - root
$ visudo

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Error: "$USER is not in the sudoers file"

In order to install application packages, you must have the appropriate rights to execute the "sudo" (SuperUserDO) command. Therefore, your user name must be registered in the [/etc/sudoers] file. On a default Debian installation, a normal user is not registered in the [/etc/sudoers] file. The sudo command temporarily gives elevated (but not root) privileges to a normal user.

When you issue a sudo command, e.g. [$ sudo apt install {PackageName}], and you receive the error message:

$USER is not in the sudoers file

[i] "$USER" is your user name. Your user name is shown before the "@" sign in the Terminal app.

you have to perform the following actions:

  • go to [application menu\Terminal]
  • issue command:
$ su - root
  • the prompt "Password:" is shown
  • type the password of the root account

[i] When the root password is not set (blank), you can't just press <enter> here. Go to [ref1] beneath for instructions.

  • press <enter>
  • check: the Terminal prompt is now "root@{ComputerName}:~#"
  • issue command:
$ visudo
  • press the [arrow-down] button on your keyboard repeatedly
  • go to section "# User privilege specification"
  • add a line beneath "root...ALL":
$USER ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

[i] Replace "$USER" with your user name, e.g.:

obi7kenobi ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
  • press [Ctrl]+[o] (write out)
  • message: "file name to write: /etc/sudoers.tmp"
  • press <enter>

[i] This file name is OK. The actual file is [/etc/sudoers]

  • press [Ctrl]+[x] to exit the editing mode
  • You can now issue the "sudo" command

[i] [ref1] When the root password is not set, you can't issue the [$ su - root] command. You have to set the root password first. Follow the instructions in the Error: "su: Authentication failure" Root password is not set (blank) section.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Error "Invalid audio PTS" when playing FLAC audio stream in conjuction with "--length=" #16416

TODO Waiting for a solution from the MPV team

Problem

When playing a FLAC encoded audio stream URL, using MPV Media Player 0.37.0, I get an error message "Invalid audio PTS". There's only a split second of sound.

Steps to reproduce this problem

I issue command:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo' > ~/mpv.log 2>&1

The logfile contains:

 (+) Audio --aid=1 (flac 2ch 44100Hz)
AO: [pipewire] 44100Hz stereo 2ch s16
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
Invalid audio PTS: 0.371519 -> 1033210.612971
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:0 kbps
Exiting... (End of file)
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:0 kbps

Notes: * Error message: "Invalid audio PTS: 0.371519 -> 1033210.612971" * "audio-bitrate:0 kbps" means: no sound

[i] An Audio Presentation Timestamp (Audio PTS) indicates the precise time a specific audio or video unit should be presented to the player

The above URL is taken from the Radio Mast reference audio streams page, which has the following properties:

Encoding: Ogg FLAC (Lossless) - URL: HTTPS - Bitrate: Variable (VBR) - Samplerate: 44100 Hz - ChannelMode: Stereo - Notes: Sample format is 16-bit. Nominal bitrate is between 300 and 1500 kbit/s

[i] This reference audio stream is supposed to always produce sound.

Investigation

The URL of the failing audio stream, plays fine in the Firefox native audio player.

MPV Media Player discards all audio (and video) streams, that do not match the MPV requirements, regarding the audio PTS interval between two two consecutive audio frames. MPV doesn't allow more that X milliseconds (I can't find the exact value) between the audio PTS of two consecutive audio frames.

The MPV switches [--no-correct-pts], [--correct-pts=no] or [--initial-audio-sync=no] don't correct this problem. ref

Google Search:

Disable PTS Correction:

  • Open MPV's configuration file [/etc/mpv/mpv.conf]
  • Add or modify the line no-correct-pts=yes. This tells MPV to skip correcting timestamps, potentially resolving the error.

The [/home/$USER/.config/mpv/] folder is empty. I added a line "no-correct-pts=yes" to [/etc/mpv/mpv.conf], and issued:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo' > ~/mpv.log 2>&1

result:

Error parsing option correct-pts (option doesn't take a parameter)
/etc/mpv/mpv.conf:2: setting option no-correct-pts='yes' failed.

I added a line containing "no-correct-pts" (withoud a parameter) to the [/etc/mpv/mpv.conf] file, and issued:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo' > ~/mpv.log 2>&1

result:

 (+) Audio --aid=1 (flac 2ch 44100Hz)
AO: [pipewire] 44100Hz stereo 2ch s16
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
Invalid audio PTS: 0.371519 -> 7616754.044807
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:0 kbps
Exiting... (End of file)
https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo
audio-bitrate:0 kbps

When I change --length=15 to --length=60, it still plays only for a split second.

[SUCCESS] When I leave out the "--length=15" switch, and issue mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' 'https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo' > ~/mpv-term-status-msg-2.log 2>&1 the stream plays OK

[SUCCESS] When I issue command mpv --gpu-debug --log-file=mpv-term-status-msg.log 'https://streams.radiomast.io/ref-lossless-ogg-flac-stereo' the stream plays OK as well.

I tried installing the newest MPV package mpv_0.40.0-dmo1, but failed, due to uncorrectable package dependencies.

Cause

The "--length=" switch does not work correctly, when playing a FLAC audio stream.

Solution

Unknown

Workaround

Use another audio player to play FLAC audio streams. Unfortunately, antiXradio needs MPV as engine.

Suggestion

Perhaps the switch "--skip-correct-audio-pts", proposed by @digitalone1 in post Avoid stream jumping due to incorrect audio PTS #15425 can be implemented?

This issue is posted on Github, log in to view it.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Custom antiXradio radio station lists

The 2411D4-{version}-od4knb-antiXradio.iso contains the 2411D6-{version}-od4knb-antiXradio-radio-stations-list-netherlands.txt file, with a lot of dutch radio stations. If you have installed antiX onto HDD/SSD, you can download this file separately from the antiXradio folder, and install it into your antiX installation, or load it into antiXradio from your USB stick. Of course, you can add your own radio stations if you like. Installation/edit instructions can be found in the file.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Retrieve encoding, bitrate and mono/stereo info of an audio stream

To get the encoding (AAC/MP3 etc.), bitrate (Kbit/s) and mono/stereo (channels: 1ch/2ch) info of the audio stream, you can use the following command:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'PasteUrlHere' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.log 2>&1

e.g.:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://eilo.org/getm3u.php?m3u=drum' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1

The log file looks like this:

 (+) Audio --aid=1 (mp3 2ch 44100Hz)
AO: [pipewire] 44100Hz stereo 2ch floatp
http://eilo.org:8000/drum
audio-bitrate:128 kbps
File tags:
 icy-title: Stoyan - Live at Drum & Jazz 23.11

This example reads:

  • mp3 = encoding
  • 2ch = audio channels (2ch = stereo)
  • 44100Hz = sample rate (44.1 kHz)
  • 128 kbps = bitrate (Kbit/s)
  • icy-title = performer - song title

[i] In the case of FLAC encoding (and sometimes with AAC) you will see the bitrates go up and down, because it uses VBR (Variable BitRate). When you execute multiple commands in succession, all output is collected in the same log file (due to ">>"). MPV automatically disconnects from the streaming server after 15 seconds (--length=15).

To automate the stream information retrieval, you can put multiple commands in a .sh script:

#!/bin/bash
mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://eilo.org/getm3u.php?m3u=drum' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1
mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'http://ic2255.c471.fast-serv.com/listen' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1
mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://dubtec-radio.radiocult.fm/stream' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1

or copy/paste a chain with several commands into your Terminal window:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://eilo.org/getm3u.php?m3u=drum' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1 && \
mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'http://ic2255.c471.fast-serv.com/listen' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1 && \
mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 'https://dubtec-radio.radiocult.fm/stream' >> /home/$USER/mpv-encoding-channels-bitrate.txt 2>&1

When not installed, you can install MPV Media Player (mpv command) by issueing command:

$ sudo apt-get install -y mpv

You can also download the MPV Media Player package from the MPV website.

To automate the testing of a lot of URLs: go to the Create a .sh Bash script with multiple mpv commands using LibreOffice Calc section.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Testing antiXradio using Radio Mast reference audio streams

When antiXradio cannot play certain radio stations, the first step is to load the 2501KV-{version}-antiXradio-reference-audio-streams.txt file in the antiXradio GUI, using the file selector that pops up, when you click the [Load another list] button in the antiXradio GUI. You can load the file from HDD/SSD/USB device.

These reference audio streams are from the Radio Mast website. The streams are not Geo-Blocked, and are intended to always produce sound.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Using antiXradio debug mode

To run antiXradio in debugmode, do the following:

  • Issue command:
$ sudo geany /usr/local/bin/antiXradio

(replace "geany" with your text editor)

  • Change 
flag_debugmode=0

into 

flag_debugmode=1
  • Issue command:
$ antiXradio > /home/$USER/"$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)-antiXradio-debug.log" 2>&1
  • Select the failing radio station
  • Press the [Play] button
  • Examine the log file in [/home/$USER/]

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Testing URLs of radio stations using MPV Media Player

antiXradio has MPV Media Player "under the hood". If a streaming URL does not produce sound or something else is wrong, there are 3 mpv commands you can use:

  • Verbose mode (enough for normal testing):
$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 --msg-level=all=v 'PasteUrlHere' > /home/$USER/"$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)-mpv-verbose.log" 2>&1

e.g.:

$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 --msg-level=all=v 'https://stream.aiir.com/umh0gvsar97tv' > /home/$USER/"$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)-mpv-verbose.log" 2>&1
  • Debug messages (extensive debugging):
$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 --msg-level=all=debug 'PasteUrlHere' > /home/$USER/"$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)-mpv-debug.log" 2>&1
  • Trace messages (extensive debugging):
$ mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 --msg-level=all=trace 'PasteUrlHere' > /home/$USER/"$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)-mpv-trace.log" 2>&1

Examine the log files in [/home/$USER/]

To automate the testing of a lot of URLs: go to the Create a .sh Bash script with multiple mpv commands using LibreOffice Calc section

When not installed, you can install MPV Media Player (mpv command) by issueing command:

$ sudo apt-get install -y mpv

You can also download the MPV Media Player package from the MPV website

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Create a .sh Bash script with multiple mpv commands using LibreOffice Calc

When you need to test hundreds of stream URLs, it is useful to automate this task. For this procedure you don't need any scripting experience.

[!] Requirement: MPV Media Player must be installed. When not installed, issue command:

$ sudo apt-get install -y mpv

or use the appropriate (rpm/dnf/yum/pacman) command for your Linux distro.

[!] The Geany text editor is highly recommended, because it can display [LF] control characters, and has a "reload" option which other text editors lack. Install Geany using:

$ sudo apt-get install -y geany

or use the appropriate (rpm/dnf/yum/pacman) command for your Linux distro.

Perform the following actions:

  • start [Application menu\File Manager]
  • go to [menu View] or [menu View\Panel 1 View]
  • on = Show hidden files
  • go to [/home/$USER/.config/antiXradio/stations/]
  • copy the "radios*.txt" to be tested to [/home/$USER/Documents/] (e.g. radios_en_GB.txt)
  • rename the file "radios.txt" to "radios-copy.txt" (e.g. radios_en_GB-copy.txt)

[i] The folder [/home/$USER/Documents/] is often shown in the File Manager GUI as "Documents" or "Home\Documents". "$USER" is your user name. In the Terminal app (look for a black "$_" icon), your user name is shown before the "@" sign.

  • start [application menu\applications\programming\Geany] or your preferred text editor
  • go to [menu File\Open]
  • go to [/home/$USER/Documents/radios*-copy.txt]
  • remove all lines that start with a "#" character
  • remove all lines with a fake "https://void.void.void/void" URL

  • remove all blank lines

  • go to [menu Search\Replace]

  • Search for (or "Find what"): ' (single-quote-apostrophe, UTF-8-Dec39)
  • Replace with: ′ (prime-quote, UTF-8-Dec8242)
  • click the [> Replace All] button; click the [In Document] button, or:
  • click the "Replace all at once" checkbox, click the [Find and Replace] button

[i] A single-quote-apostrophe UTF-8-Dec39 (straight up) in the radio station name (e.g. "Rock 'n Roll Radio"), will be interpreted by Bash, so it must be replaced by a prime-quote UTF-8-Dec8242 (accent aigu), which Bash won't interpret.

  • make shure that the last line with an URL ends with a [LF] (line feed) control code. Just press <enter> after the last URL.

[i] To show the [LF] control codes in geany: go to [menu View], on=Show Line Endings

  • go to [File\Save as...]

  • save this file as [/home/$USER/Documents/radios*-only-url-records.txt] (e.g. radios_en_GB-only-url-records.txt)

  • start [Application menu\Applications\Office\LibreOffice Calc] (or another spreadsheet app)

  • go to [menu Tools]
  • off = Automatic spell checking
  • off = AutoInput
  • go to [menu Tools\AutoCorrect Options...]
  • go to tab [Options]
  • empty all checkboxes
  • go to tab [Localized Options]
  • empty all checkboxes
  • click the [OK] button

[i] This is the procedure for turning off all AutoCorrect and AutoComplete options in LibreOffice Calc. Use Google to find the procedure for another spreadsheet app.

  • go to [menu File\Open]
  • the "Open" file selector pane is shown
  • go to [/home/$USER/Documents/]
  • select the "radios*-only-url-records.txt" file
  • click the [Open] button
  • the "Text Import" pane is shown
  • go to the "Separator options" section:
  • off=Tab, off=Semicolon

[i] In the line [Tab-Comma-Semicolon-Space-Other], only the "Comma" box must be checked, as this is the radios*.txt separator charachter

  • leave everything else default
  • click the [OK] button
  • check: column A = radio station number/name/comments, column B = URLs

[i] As we are creating a script, we need a mono spaced font, to show every character clearly

  • left-click cell A1 (column A, line 1) to select it
  • press [Ctrl]+[a] simultaneously

  • check: all cells in the sheet are selected now (all blue)

  • go to [menu Format\Cells...\tab Font]

  • go the "Family:" section
  • "select "DejaVu Sans Mono" in the menu
  • check: "DejaVu Sans Mono" is now shown behind "Family:"

  • leave everything else default

  • go to [tab Numbers]

  • in the "Category" menu, select "Text"
  • leave everything else default
  • click the [OK] button

[i] The column width must be decreased to work comfortably

  • check: all cells in the sheet are selected now (all blue)
  • right-click the header of colum B
  • click "Column width"
  • width = 4" (10 cm.)
  • click the [OK] button

[i] Some values overlap values in other columns. Word Wrap must be enabled.

  • check: all cells in the sheet are selected now (all blue)
  • go to [menu Format\Text]

  • on = Wrap Text

  • left-click the header of colum B to select it

  • check: all cells in column B are selected now (column B is blue)
  • right-click the header of colum B
  • click "Insert Columns Before"

  • check: column B = empty, column C = URLs

  • left-click the header of colum A to select it

  • check: all cells in column A are selected now (column A is blue)
  • right-click the header of colum A
  • click "Insert Columns Before"

  • check: column A = empty, column B = radio station number/name/comments, column C = empty, column D = URLs

  • left-click the empty cell A1 (column A, line 1)

  • copy/paste the following into cell A1:
echo '----------------

[!] If the lowercase "e" is now replaced with an uppercase "E", the AutoCorrect options have not been turned off correctly. This will result in a script error.

[!] Only use single quotes (') in a command, as Libre OfficeCalc will put al lot of redundant double quotes in the output, when using double quotes

  • left-click cell A1 (column A, line 1) to select it
  • [Ctrl]+[left-click] in the right lower corner of A1
  • don't release the [Ctrl] key
  • check: a "+" sign is shown
  • pull the "+" sign downwards, to the last record containing an URL, while holding the [Ctrl] key
  • release the mouse button
  • release the [Ctrl] key

  • check: all cells in column A must contain the same command

  • left-click empty cell C1 (column C, line 1) to select it

  • copy/paste the following into cell C1:
' >> /home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log 2>&1 && mpv --term-status-msg='${path}\naudio-bitrate:${audio-bitrate}' --length=15 '

[!] Pay attention to the single quote (') at the beginning and at the end. \n = line feed control character [LF].

[i] When "--length=15" is set, mpv will disconnect from the streaming server after 15 seconds. In most cases this is time enough to test the stream URL. Note, that testing 250 URLs, takes about one hour to finish (((15*250)/60)/60).

[!] If "[hyphen][hyphen]length=" (2 x UTF-8-Dec45/Dec8208 has been changed to "[en-dash]length=" UTF-8-Dec8211, the AutoCorrect options have not been turned off correctly. This will result in a script error. Check the UTF-8 Decimal code of any character here (ignore the incorrect ASCII reference, you'll get an UTF-8 decimal code in the right pane).

  • left-click cell C1 (column C, line 1) to select it
  • [Ctrl]+[left-click] in the right lower corner of C1
  • don't release the [Ctrl] key
  • a "+" sign is shown
  • pull the "+" sign downwards, to the last record containing an URL, while holding the [Ctrl] key
  • release the mouse button
  • release the [Ctrl] key

  • check: all cells in column C must contain the same command

  • left-click empty cell E1 (column E, line 1)

  • copy/paste the following into cell E1:
' >> /home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log 2>&1

[!] Pay attention to the single quote (') at the beginning

  • select cell E1 (column E, line 1)
  • [Ctrl]+[left-click] in the right lower corner of E1
  • don't release the [Ctrl] key
  • a "+" sign is shown
  • pull the "+" sign downwards, to the last record containing an URL, while holding the [Ctrl] key
  • release the mouse button
  • release the [Ctrl] key

  • check: all cells in column E must contain the same command

  • go to [menu File\Save as...]

  • click the Documents folder [/home/$USER/Documents/]
  • check: the item selector "Save" is shown
  • type, in the field after "Name:": radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate-draft (e.g. "radios_en_GB-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate-draft")
  • go to the pull down menu, in right below corner
  • select "Text CSV (.csv)" (comma separated file)
  • click the [Save] button
  • check: the dialog pane "Confirm File Format" is shown
  • click the [Use Text CSV Format] button
  • check: the dialog pane "Export Text File" is shown
  • check: Character set: Unicode (UTF-8)
  • Field delimiter: <empty>
  • String delimiter: <empty>
  • leave everything else default
  • Click the [OK] button
  • go to [menu File]

  • click "Exit LibreOffice"

  • start [application menu\applications\programming\Geany] or your preferred text editor

  • go to [menu File\Open]
  • go to [/home/$USER/Documents/radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate-draft.csv]

  • click the [Open] button

  • go to [menu Search\Replace]

  • Search for (or "Find what"): , (comma)
  • Replace with: <nothing> (leave this field empty)
  • click the [> Replace All] button; click the [In Document] button, or:
  • click the "Replace all at once" checkbox, click the [Find and Replace] button

[i] This action is for safety: in case the "Export Text File" dialog box was not shown when saving the *draft.csv.

  • go to [menu Search\Replace]
  • Search for (or "Find what"): ( (left parenthesis/round bracket open UTF-8-Dec40)
  • Replace with: - (hypen/minus UTF-8-Dec45/Dec8208)
  • click the [> Replace All] button; click the [In Document] button, or:
  • click the "Replace all at once" checkbox, click the [Find and Replace] button

[i] Bash stumbles over brackets in an echo command, e.g. when a radio station comment is enclosed by brackets. Hyphens (minus "-", Dec45/Dec8208) are never interpreted, so they are safe to use. Round brackets are never used in an URL.

  • go to [menu Search\Replace]
  • Search for (or "Find what"): ) (right parenthesis/round bracket close UTF-8-Dec41)
  • Replace with: - (hypen/minus UTF-8-Dec45/Dec8208)
  • click the [> Replace All] button; click the [In Document] button, or:

  • click the "Replace all at once" checkbox, click the [Find and Replace] button

  • add five blank lines at the beginning of the file

  • copy/paste the following into these new lines:
#!/bin/bash
LOG_DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d-%H.%M.%S)
sudo apt-get install -y mpv >> /home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log 2>&1
echo 'script [radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh] is running - please wait...'
echo 'logfile: [/home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log]'

[i] The apt-get install command must be redundant, it's been added for safety

  • press the [Ctrl]+[End] keys simultaneously, to go to the end of the file
  • add a blank line
  • copy/paste the following into the blank line:
echo "--------------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "Excecution of $SCRIPT has finished."
echo "--------------------------------------------------------------------"
echo "Investigate the logfile:"
echo "/home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log"
read -p "Press <enter> to close this Terminal window" CONT

if [ "$CONT" = "" ]; then
    exit
fi
  • go to [menu File\Save as...]
  • click the Documents folder [/home/$USER/Documents/]
  • the item selector "Save" is shown
  • type, in the field after "Name:": radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh (e.g. "radios_en_GB-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh")
  • click the [Save] button

  • go to [File\Quit]

  • start [Application menu\File Manager]

  • go to [/home/$USER/Documents/]
  • right-click the file "radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh" (e.g. "radios_en_GB-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh")
  • click the "properties" option
  • go to the "permissions" tab
  • click the checkbox before "allow executing file as a program" (or click all "execute" boxes)
  • click the [Close] or [OK] button
  • right-click the .sh file
  • click [Open\Execute], or:
  • click the [Open] option, and click the [Run in Terminal] button
  • the Terminal window is shown, with the following message:
script [radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh] is running - please wait...
logfile: [/home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log]

[i] When your Linux OS doesn't execute the script using the procedure above, do the following:

  • left-click the file "radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh" to select it
  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously
  • the full path to this file is now on your clipboard
  • go to [application menu\Terminal]
  • right-click in the Terminal Window, right after "~$"
  • click [Paste]
  • press the <enter> key
  • the script should now be executed

[i] When testing 250 URLs, and "--length=15" is set (disconnect after 15 seconds), the script takes about one hour to finish. Calculation: (((250*15)/60)/60). To check if the script is still running, and to awake your GPU/monitor, press the [ALT] key, so the run will not be disturbed.

  • open [/home/$USER/Documents/{DateTime}-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log] in your text editor, to investigate the results

[i] In Geany you can press [Ctrl]+[r] to reload the log file, while the script is running. In Text Editors, that don't have a "reload" menu option, you probably have to: ~ press [F5] ~ click [Cancel] ~ click [Reload].

When the run of the script has ended, the following message is shown:

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Excecution of radios*-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.sh has finished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Investigate the logfile:
/home/$USER/Documents/$LOG_DATE-mpv-channels-encoding-bitrate.log
Press <enter> to close this Terminal window"
  • The log of an audio stream that gives sound, looks like this:
---------------- Funky Corner Radio UK
 (+) Audio --aid=1 (mp3 2ch 44100Hz)
File tags:
 icy-title: Maggie Rogers - Shatter
AO: [pipewire] 44100Hz stereo 2ch floatp
https://ais-sa2.cdnstream1.com/2447_192.mp3
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
https://ais-sa2.cdnstream1.com/2447_192.mp3
audio-bitrate:192 kbps
https://ais-sa2.cdnstream1.com/2447_192.mp3
audio-bitrate:191 kbps
https://ais-sa2.cdnstream1.com/2447_192.mp3
audio-bitrate:192 kbps

This example reads:

  • mp3 = encoding (can also be "aac", "flac", or "ogg")
  • 2ch = channel count (1ch=mono, 2ch=stereo)
  • 44100Hz = sample rate (44.1 kHz)
  • 192 kbps = bitrate (Kbit/s)
  • icy-title = performer - song title
  • ignore the "(unavailable)" message

[i] In the case of FLAC encoding (and sometimes with AAC) you will see the bitrates go up and down, because it uses VBR (Variable BitRate).

  • A failing audio stream URL (silent) gives "audio-bitrate:0 kbps", e.g.:
---------------- Insanity Radio
 (+) Audio --aid=1 (flac 2ch 44100Hz)
AO: [pipewire] 44100Hz stereo 2ch s16
https://stream.cor.insanityradio.com/insanity.flac
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
Invalid audio PTS: 0.522449 -> 589440.731429
https://stream.cor.insanityradio.com/insanity.flac
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
https://stream.cor.insanityradio.com/insanity.flac
audio-bitrate:0 kbps
https://stream.cor.insanityradio.com/insanity.flac
audio-bitrate:0 kbps
  • The log of a video stream URL, the sound of which is also played in MPV Media Player and antiXradio, looks like this:
---------------- Now 70s 
     Video --vid=1 (h264 640x360 25.000fps) (1021 kbps)
     Video --vid=2 (h264 848x480 25.000fps) (1250 kbps)
 (+) Video --vid=3 (h264 1280x720 25.000fps) (3802 kbps)
     Audio --aid=1 (aac 2ch 48000Hz) (1021 kbps)
     Audio --aid=2 (aac 2ch 48000Hz) (1250 kbps)
 (+) Audio --aid=3 (aac 2ch 48000Hz) (3802 kbps)
libEGL warning: failed to get driver name for fd -1
libEGL warning: MESA-LOADER: failed to retrieve device information
libEGL warning: failed to get driver name for fd -1
[vo/gpu] High bit depth FBOs unsupported. Enabling dumb mode.
[vo/gpu] Most extended features will be disabled.
AO: [pipewire] 48000Hz stereo 2ch floatp
VO: [gpu] 1280x720 yuv420p
https://lightning-now70s-samsungnz.amagi.tv/playlist.m3u8
audio-bitrate:(unavailable)
https://lightning-now70s-samsungnz.amagi.tv/playlist.m3u8
audio-bitrate:129 kbps
https://lightning-now70s-samsungnz.amagi.tv/playlist.m3u8
audio-bitrate:126 kbps

This example reads:

  • h264 = video codec
  • aac = audio codec
  • ignore the "libEGL warning" and [vo/gpu] messages, they refer to the video stream
  • ignore the "(unavailable)" message

  • ignore the faulty audio bit rates behind "--aid=1", "--aid=2" and "--aid=3"

  • put a "#" character before all failing (silent) URLs, in the [/home/$USER/.config/antiXradio/stations/radios*.txt] file, that has been tested in this case (e.g. radios_en_GB.txt), to hide (disable) them for the antiXradio GUI

  • send a file with all failing (silent) URLs, to the audio stream collectors websites (e.g. od4knb Linux, the antiXradio project, garfnet.org.uk, or radio-browser.info etc.), where you got the URLs from, so they can update their station list as well. A "merge request" (request for change/addition) can be send in clicking the [Email a new merge request to this project] link at the bottom of the project page.

[tip] You can also use this procedure for other tasks/commands, such as distributing an .ISO file to the Ventoy partition of multiple computers, by placing the first IP address in the first cell of a column, and then pull the "+" down without holding the [Ctrl] key.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Install a GUI for MPV Media Player

The MPV Media Player app in the "mpv" package has no GUI, it's a commandline (Terminal/CLI) app. When you want to play a video stream, you need a GUI application for MPV. The MPV Team does not provide a GUI app on the MPV website, but there are several third party developers who have created a GUI app for MPV:

  • [recommended] SMPlayer (32 and 64 bit. Available for all Linux distros. For Arch, Debian, openSUSE and Ubuntu: click Packages for other Linux distros, click the [Arch], [Debian], [openSUSE] or [Ubuntu] button, click [Grab binary packages directly], click the desired package. i386=32bit, amd64=64bit)

  • Celluloid (only 64 bit. Click "Last Modified" twice, click the newest "celluloid_{NewestVersion}~ppa1_amd64.deb")

  • Haruna (Only 64 bit, click Linux, Flathub or Snap Store)
  • IMplay (Only 64 bit. Do NOT choose the [Continuous build]. Go to [Lastest], click [Assets], click the desired package.

Before downloading a package manually, use your package installer first, e.g. apt:

$ sudo apt-get install -y smplayer
$ sudo apt-get install -y celluloid
$ sudo apt-get install -y haruna
$ sudo apt-get install -y implay

Other installers (rpm/dnf/yum):

$ sudo rpm -i smplayer/celluloid/haruna/implay
$ sudo dnf -y install smplayer/celluloid/haruna/implay
$ sudo yum -y install smplayer/celluloid/haruna/implay
$ sudo pacman -Syu smplayer/celluloid/haruna/implay

I recommend SMPlayer, as it's reviewed as the best GUI for MPV. The GUI looks good, it's easy to use, and it's the only GUI for MPV that's also available for 32 bit (i386) CPUs.

To test, if a video stream (URL) can be played, issue the following command (BBC World News TV, not Geo-blocked):

$ mpv 'http://ott-cdn.ucom.am/s24/04.m3u8'

or do the following:

  • go to [application menu\Sound and Video/Multimedia\SMPlayer]
  • go to [menu Open\URL]
  • the "SMPlayer - Enter URL" pane is shown
  • paste "http://ott-cdn.ucom.am/s24/04.m3u8" in the "URL:" field (or another video URL)
  • click the [OK] button
  • the BBC World News TV channel is played

[tip] You can also use SMPlayer to test an audio stream URL this way, if you don't like to use the mpv command in the Terminal window. Note, that SMPlayer not always presents a clear error message, in case of faillure, as the mpv command does. When a station is silent, it only shows the "Off Air" message in the title bar, or you'll get an "Oops, something went wrong" message pane. In the case of "Oops...": click the [Show log] button to retrieve the HTTP error code. You can easily get the channels/codec/bitrate information of a playing station though: [menu View\Information and properties].

[!] SMPlayer cannot play an antiXradio stations list (radios*.txt), but the URLs in such a list can be pasted at [menu Open\URL].

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Turn a laptop into a sleep sound machine (white noise machine)

[!] Section #7 "Script method for Windows" is in TEST state. Please help the community, and test method #7 for my. Thank you in advance!

[OK] All other methods have already been tested thoroughly

You can buy an expensive white noise machine to sleep tight, when your surroundings are a bit noisy, or you can use an old laptop, and let an audio player play the sound file that works best for you.

A sleep sound machine can provide relief from insomnia, but can also be used as sound therapy for tinnitus ("ringing in the ears"). The American Tinnitus Association offers extensive information about tinnitus and provides sound files specifically for people with tinnitus.

This is what you need:

[i] Of course, you can use a brand new bulky laptop as well ;-)

In my experience, a Sleep Sound Machine works best with two small satellite speakers (with only a mid-range and treble unit), one next to each ear, but you can also try the build-in speakers of your laptop. I don't like the sounds with lower frequencies, so I don't use a sub woofer, but perhaps your brain likes different sounds.

For extended information about the different sound "colors" (white, pink, brown, etc.) you'll find good information on the Sleep Disorders Resource Center website. SDRC has lots of other usefull sleep related info too.

There are two methods for Windows, macOS and Linux:

  • the least effort, simple: "2. Play sleep sounds in your browser" (heavyweight, for all laptops with 1.5 GB or more)
  • a little effort, simple: "4. GUI method using SMplayer" (middleweight, for all laptops with 1 GB or more)

Only for Windows 10/11:

TODO* some more effort: "7. Script method for Windows" (lightweight, for Windows 10/11)

There are two methods specifically for Linux:

  • a bit more effort: "5. Command method booted from an Linux ISO file" (lightweight, for all laptops with 256 MB or more)
  • the most effort: "6. Script method on an installed Linux OS" (lightweight, for all laptops with 256 MB or more)

Don't be intimidated by the commands. This HowTo is aimed at beginning Windows/macOS/Linux users and everything is described step by step. Once the command or script method is set up, everything works flawlessly. This HowTo focuses on Linux Mint and antiX Linux, which uses the Debian (APT) package installer, but can easily be adapted to Windows, macOS, and other Linux distributions (maybe with a little help from the neighbor boy ;-).

1. Check your power management settings

When playing sleep sounds, you want your laptop to use as little power as possible, as it runs for about eight hours (during your sleep, hopefully!). The screen should go black after a short time. Do the following (Linux Mint):

  • go to [application menu\preferences\power management]
  • Turn off the screen when inactive for = 5 minutes
  • Suspend when inactive for = Never
  • When the lid is closed = Lock screen
  • Power mode = Power Saver
  • Dim your laptop screen, by (most often) holding down the [FN] key (blue print), and repeatedly pressing the [arrow-down] key

[i] When the [arrow-down] key doesn't work, try the [arrow-left] key, or look for the [F5] or [F6] key with a sun or lightbulb, printed in blue.

[i] When your laptop gets to hot, consider using a laptop cooler.

2. Play sleep sounds in your browser (Windows, macOS and Linux)

[!] When there's no Internet connection in the bedroom, use "4. GUI method using SMplayer".

The easiest and quickest way to get started, is streaming sleep sounds in your web browser. Go to wNoise.org, click and play. wNoise.org has the same sounds as The MC2 Method (MP3 files). Use the browser on your Windows/macOS/Linux laptop, or get an old laptop and do the following:

[i] Keep in mind that this is the "heavyweight solution", as a web browser uses more power, CPU an RAM than an audio player like MPV (CLI, lightweight) or SMplayer (GUI, middleweight).

3. Download MP3 files with sleep sounds

  • create a folder [/home/$USER/Music/SleepSounds] on a installed Linux OS, OR:
  • create a "SleepSounds" folder on an USB stick, when booting from a Linux ISO file, OR:
  • create a "SleepSounds" folder in your Windows/macOS home directory

Download all the files you want from:

to your "SleepSounds" folder.

[i] Google for white noise MP3 when looking for other sleep sounds to download. Download only the smallest files (10 min.), you don't need the larger ones (60 min.) as we are using the infinite repeat function of the media player.

4. GUI method using SMplayer (Windows, macOS and Linux)

[i] This method can be used on any computer with the GUI media player "SMplayer" installed. You can download the SMplayer app for Windows, macOS and several Linux variants. For antix/LMDE 32 bit, you can use a Debian 32bit (i386) .deb package, but try the "apt-get install" command first. When installing SMplayer, MPV is also installed, because SMplayer uses MPV as it's engine.

  • install SMplayer by typing the following command in your Terminal:
sudo apt-get install -y smplayer
  • or, when using a downloaded .deb package:
sudo apt-get install -y "/home/$USER/Downloads/smplayer_25.6.0-1+1.1_i386.deb"

[i] Change the path, to match the real file name of the .deb package

  • or: install SMplayer using the downloaded Windows (.exe) or macOS (.dmg) package

  • or: use [Application menu\Administration\Software Manager] (Linux Mint Installer GUI)

  • go to [Application menu\Sound & Video\SMplayer]

  • go to [menu Options\Preferences\Advanced\tab Mplayer/mpv]
  • type the following mpv switch in the "Options:" field:
--loop-file=inf
  • click [OK]
  • go to [menu Open\File]
  • browse to the [/home/$USER/Music/SleepSounds] folder
  • select your favorite sleep sound MP3 file
  • click [Open]

To automatically play this file at startup:

  • go to [application menu\preferences\startup applications]
  • click the [+] button
  • click [Custom command]
  • Name = Sleep Sound Machine
  • Command = smplayer "/home/$USER/Music/SleepSounds/01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"
  • Comment = SMplayer plays a sleep sound MP3 file
  • Startup delay = 10
  • klik [Add]

[i] Change the path after "Command:" to the path of your favorite MP3 file.

5. Command method booted from an Linux ISO file

This method is your best choice, if you want to skip the time-consuming installation of a Linux OS. You can simply boot the Linux OS of your choice from an USB stick (flash drive), and issue a command to play the MP3 file, that's located on another USB stick.

[i] You need an Internet connection to issue the full command, as the MPV package is downloaded from a Linux repository. If there's no Internet connection available in the bedroom, you best use an antiX Linux ISO file, because antiX allways has MPV installed.

Do the following:

  • Take an USB stick (#1) of at least 4 GB (to flash the Linux ISO file)
  • Take an USB stick (#2) of at least 1 GB (for the MP3 files with sleep sounds)

Download the ISO file of the Linux OS, that best matches the specifications of your laptop/PC:

[i] A hard disk or SSD is not required for this method.

  • flash the ISO file onto USB stick #1 using Balena Etcher
  • create a "SleepSounds" folder on USB stick #2
  • put the sleep sound MP3 files in the "SleepSounds" folder
  • boot from USB stick #1
  • insert USB stick #2 (with the MP3 files)
  • open the file manager
  • browse to the "SleepSounds" folder on USB stick #2
  • right-click in the folder pane
  • click [Create new documen\Empty document]

  • check: your text editor app is opened

  • copy/paste the following command into the empty text file:

sudo apt-get install -y mpv && mpv --loop-file=inf "CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"
  • go to [menu File\save as...]
  • browse to the "SleepSounds" folder containing the MP3 files on USB stick #2
  • in the field after "Name:" type: "0_Sleep-sound-command.txt"

[i] The "0_" (zero) makes sure, that the file always appears at the top of the file list

  • click the [Save] button

  • leave the text editor opened

  • go to the file manager

  • browse to the "SleepSounds" folder containing the MP3 files on USB stick #2
  • left-click the MP3 file with your favorite sleep sound

  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously, to copy the path to the MP3 file to your clipboard

  • go to the text editor, with "0_Sleep-sound-command.txt" opened

  • double-click "CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"
  • press [Ctrl]+[v] simultaneously, to to paste the path to the MP3 file, that's on your clipboard
  • check: the command in "0_Sleep-sound-command.txt" now looks like this:
sudo apt-get install -y mpv && mpv --loop-file=inf "/media/mint/USB_stick2/SleepSounds/01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

[i] This is an example, the path to your MP3 file is different

  • click in the text editor's text pane
  • press [Ctrl]+[a] simultaneously, to select the full command
  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously, to copy the command to your clipboard

  • go to [Menu File\Save]

  • go to [application menu\Terminal]

  • right-click in the Terminal window
  • click [Paste], to paste the command on your clipboard
  • press [Enter]
  • check: your MP3 file is played by MPV, and it's showing something like this:
Reading package lists... Done
<lines removed>
 (+) Audio --aid=1 (mp3 2ch 48000Hz)
File tags:
 Artist: MC2Method.org
 Album: MC2Method.org WhiteNoise
 Title: White Noise 01
 Track: 1
AO: [pipewire] 48000Hz stereo 2ch floatp
A: 00:01:38 / 00:10:01 (18%)
  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously, to silence MPV

6. Script method on an installed Linux OS

The script method is the best way to go, if you want to make your Sleep Sound Machine start automatically at startup, or when there's no Internet connection available in the bedroom. Do the following (Linux Mint Cinnamon):

  • install MPV Media Player, by typing the following command in Terminal:
sudo apt-get install -y mpv

[i] You can also use your Software Manager GUI to install the MPV Media Player

  • go to the file manager
  • browse to [/home/$USER/Music/SleepSounds], or to the "SleepSounds" folder on USB stick #2
  • left-click the MP3 file with your favorite sleep sound
  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously, to copy the path to the MP3 file to your clipboard
  • open your text editor (e.g. Xed or Geany)
  • paste the path to the MP3 file into a (temporary) "memo.txt" text file

  • leave "memo.txt" opened in the text editor

  • create a folder [/home/$USER/Scripts]

[i] You can also find the script beneath as "2508NN-{version}-sleep-sound-machine-script-for-linux.sh" in the general folder. After downloading the file, rename it into "sleep-sound-machine.sh"

  • open your text editor (e.g. Xed or Geany)
  • copy/paste the following text into a blank text file:
#! /bin/bash
# Scriptcode=2508NN

# Please enter the full path to your favorite sleep sound file:
MySleepSoundFile="CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"

echo "==================================================="
echo "                 Sleep Sound Machine"
echo "==================================================="
echo ""
echo "The following file is played infinitely:"
echo "$MySleepSoundFile"
echo ""
echo "Press [Ctrl]+[c] to silence the Sleep Sound Machine"
echo ""
echo "==================================================="
echo ""
mpv --loop-file=inf $MySleepSoundFile
  • go to [menu File\Save as]
  • save this script as [/home/$USER/Scripts/sleep-sound-machine.sh]

  • leave "sleep-sound-machine.sh" opened in the text editor

  • click on the "memo.txt" tab in the text editor (or open "memo.txt" when closed)

  • press [Ctrl]+[a] simultaneously, to select the full path to your favorite MP3 file
  • press [Ctrl]+[c] simultaneously, to copy the path to your clipboard

  • delete the "memo.txt" text file

  • go to the opened [/home/$USER/Scripts/sleep-sound-machine.sh] file

  • double-click "CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"
  • press [Ctrl]+[v] simultaneously, to to paste the path to the MP3 file, that's on your clipboard
  • check: the line with "MySleepSoundFile=" now looks like this:
MySleepSoundFile="/home/mint/Music/SleepSounds/01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

or:

MySleepSoundFile="/media/mint/USB_stick2/SleepSounds/01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

[i] These are examples, the path to your MP3 file is different.

  • make the script executable, by typing the following command in Terminal:
sudo chmod 770 /home/$USER/Scripts/sleep-sound-machine.sh

[i] In Linux Mint, this can also be achieved by using the option [sleep-sound-machine.sh\right-click\Properties\Permissions\Execute], on = "Allow executing file as a program". This pane may look different in another Linux OS. When you see three "execute" checkboxes, only check "owner" and "group".

Put "Make Link" in the context menu of your File Manager:

  • go to [Application menu\accessories\Files]
  • go to [Menu Edit\preferences\Context Menus\Selection]
  • on = Make Link

Create a shortcut on your desktop:

  • right-click [/home/$USER/Scripts/sleep-sound-machine.sh]
  • click "Make Link"
  • move [/home/$USER/Scripts/Link to sleep-sound-machine.sh] to [/home/$USER/Desktop]
  • right-click the shortcut, click "Rename"
  • rename the shortcut into "Sleep Sound Machine"
  • right-click the shortcut, click "Properties"
  • click the icon
  • type "sleep"
  • click the "gnome-session-sleep" icon
  • click [Select], [Close]

Make the script auto-start:

  • go to [application menu\preferences\startup applications]
  • click the [+] button
  • click [Custom command]
  • Name = Sleep Sound Machine
  • Command = bash /home/$USER/Scripts/sleep-sound-machine.sh
  • Comment = Start the Sleep Sound Machine script
  • Startup delay = 10
  • klik [Add]

7. Script method for Windows

[i] This method isn't tested yet. I cannot guarantee, that this method works on your Windows 10/11 machine. Please test this method for me, and send your findings/corrections/remarks to [od4knb monkey tail gmail dot com], mentioning your Windows version and CPU architecture. Thanks in advance!

[i] You can find alternative download sites here

  • go to the version that has the [latest] tag
  • click "▶ Assets"
  • download the "ffmpeg...7z" package, that matches your CPU architecture

[i] The Ffmpeg package is required by MPV Media Player. "aarch64" = arm64, "i686" = 32bit/IA-32/i386, "x86-64" = amd64/x86-64-v1 & x86-64-v2, "x86-64-v3" = amd64/x86-64-v3 & x86-64-v4. When you're not shure what CPU is in your laptop, it's most likely "x86-64-v3" (amd64) or "aarch64" (arm64). You can also read the instructions in the Determine your CPU architecture (32/64 bits) section.

  • download the "mpv...7z" package, that matches your CPU architecture

[!] Do not download a "mpv-dev-...7z", or "mpv...gcc...7z" file

[i] A ".7z" file is an archive container ("zip") created by the free 7-Zip app. I use 7-Zip in this example, but you can also try WinZip (paid, but has a trial version), or your Windows archive manager to extract ("unzip") the .7z archives.

  • download the .exe package that matches your CPU architecture.

[i] When you're not shure what CPU is in your laptop, it's most likely a "64-bit x64" (x86-64/amd64) or "64-bit arm64" (aarch64) CPU. You can also read the instructions in the Determine your CPU architecture (32/64 bits) section.

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]
  • go to [Desktop\My Documents\Downloads] or [This computer\C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Downloads]
  • double-click the "7z{version}-{CpuArchitecture}.exe" file (e.g. "7z2501-x64.exe")
  • check: the "7-Zip {version} Setup" pane is opened

  • click [Install], [Close]

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]

  • go to [Desktop\My Documents\Downloads] or [This computer\C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Downloads]
  • right-click the "ffmpeg...7z" file (e.g. "ffmpeg-x86-64-git-6711c6a89.7z")
  • select [7-Zip]
  • click [extract to "ffmpeg...\"]
  • open the "ffmpeg...\" folder
  • check: ffmpeg.exe is extracted here
  • double-click "ffmpeg.exe"

  • follow the on-screen instructions to install Ffmpeg

  • right-click the "mpv...7z" file (e.g. "mpv-x86_64-20250811-git-01b7edc.7z")

  • select [7-Zip]
  • click [extract to "mpv...\"]
  • open the "mpv...\" folder
  • check: mpv.exe is extracted here
  • double-click "mpv.exe"

  • follow the on-screen instructions to install MPV Media Player

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]

  • go to [Desktop\My Documents\Downloads] or [This computer\C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents]
  • right-click in the right pane
  • click [New\Folder]
  • type: "Scripts" <enter>
  • check: the folder [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Scripts] is created

[i] You can also find the script beneath as "2508NP-{version}-sleep-sound-machine-script-for-windows.cmd" in the general folder. After downloading the file, rename it into "sleep-sound-machine.cmd"

  • go to [start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Notepad]
  • copy/paste the following code into the blank page:
:: ScriptCode="2508NP"

:: Please enter the full path to your favorite sleep sound file:
SET MySleepSoundFile="CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"

:: For example:
:: SET MySleepSoundFile="C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\My Music\SleepSounds\01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"
:: or (on an USB stick):
:: SET MySleepSoundFile="E:\SleepSounds\01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

echo ===================================================
echo                  Sleep Sound Machine
echo ===================================================
echo 
echo The following file is played infinitely:
echo %MySleepSoundFile%
echo 
echo Press [Ctrl]+[c] to silence the Sleep Sound Machine
echo 
echo ===================================================
echo 
mpv --loop-file=inf %MySleepSoundFile%
  • go to [menu File\Save as]
  • browse to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Scripts]
  • File name = sleep-sound-machine.cmd
  • Save as type = All files
  • Encoding = UTF-8

  • Click the [Save] button

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]

  • go to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Scripts]
  • check: the script "sleep-sound-machine.cmd" is present, without ".txt" at the end
  • right-click "sleep-sound-machine.cmd"
  • click [Create shortcut]
  • move the "Shortcut to sleep-sound-machine.cmd" file to [C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop]
  • rename "Shortcut to sleep-sound-machine.cmd" into "Sleep Sound Machine"
  • right-click the "Sleep Sound Machine" shortcut
  • click [Properties], [Another icon], [Browse]
  • go to [C:\Windows\Icons] (or anywhere else)
  • select the 32x32 pixels icon of your choice

[i] You can also download a nice crescent icon (.png) from Flaticon, and change/convert it using IloveIMG.

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]
  • cut & paste all the sleep sound MP3 files from [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Downloads] to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\My Music\Sleepsounds]
  • go to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\My Music\Sleepsounds]
  • right-click on your favorite sleep sound MP3 file, e.g. "01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"
  • go to [tab general\Location]
  • select the full path behind "Location:" using a "rubberband select", or:
  • click at the beginning of the path (right before before e.g. "C:..."), click [Shift]+[End]
  • right-click the selection
  • click [Copy], [Cancel]

[i] The path to your favorite sleep sound MP3 file is now on your clipboard

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]
  • go to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Scripts]
  • right-click "sleep-sound-machine.cmd"
  • select [Edit] or [Edit with Notepad]
  • check: Notepad is showing the contents of the script file

[i] This way you can always edit the script, to change the path to your favorite sleep sound MP3

  • you'll find the following lines:
:: Please enter the full path to your favorite sleep sound file:
SET MySleepSoundFile="CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"
  • double-click "CopyPasteThePathToTheMp3FileHere"
  • press [Ctrl]+[v] simultaneously, to to paste the path to the MP3 file, that's on your clipboard
  • check: the line with "SET MySleepSoundFile=" now looks like this:
SET MySleepSoundFile="C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\My Music\SleepSounds\01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

or (on an USB stick):

SET MySleepSoundFile="E:\SleepSounds\01-White-Noise-10min.mp3"

[i] These are examples, the path to your MP3 file is different.

  • go to [menu File\Save]

  • go to [menu File\Quit]

  • double-click the "Sleep Sound Machine" shortcut on your desktop

  • check: you'll see something like this:
===================================================
                  Sleep Sound Machine
===================================================

The following file is played infinitely:
C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\My Music\SleepSounds\01-White-Noise-10min.mp3

Press [Ctrl]+[c] to silence the Sleep Sound Machine

===================================================
  (+) Audio --aid=1 (mp3 2ch 48000Hz)
File tags:
 Artist: MC2Method.org
 Album: MC2Method.org WhiteNoise
 Title: White Noise 01
 Track: 1
AO: [pipewire] 48000Hz stereo 2ch floatp
A: 00:01:38 / 00:10:01 (18%)
  • check: your sleep sound should now be played

If you want to automatically start the Sleep Sound Machine when you boot your laptop:

  • go to [Start menu\all programs\accessoiries\Windows Explorer]
  • go to [C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop]
  • copy shortcut [C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Sleep Sound Machine] to [C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Start menu\Programs\Startup]

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Using Flameshot to create and edit screenshots

The Flameshot app is much easier to work with, and has a lot of features that the "Screenshot" app (gnome-screenshot, default in Linux Mint) lacks. With Flameshot you can highlight or hide an area, add numbers, arrows and text, etc.

Flameshot can capture a pull down menu, but not the mouse pointer. Considering the great features of Flameshot, I don't consider that a disadvantage.

Packages are available for several different distros. To use Flameshot, do the following:

  • in your Terminal window, type: 
sudo apt-get install -y flameshot
  • press <enter>
  • check: Flameshot is being installed
  • type "exit" <enter>

  • go to [application menu\accessoiries\Flameshot]

  • right-click the Flameshot icon in the system tray (Ubuntu: top right, Linux Mint: bottom right)

  • click [Open Launcher]
  • check: the "Capture Launcher" pane is opened
  • behind "Area:" select "Rectangular region"
  • behind "Delay:" select "5 seconds"

  • behind "BxH+x+y", in the four separate fields, type successively: "500", "500", "0", "0"

  • press the [Windows] and [D] key simultaneously, to minimize all windows

  • put the application window, that you want to make a screenshot of, on the left side of your desktop
  • put the "Capture Launcher" pane on the right side of your desktop

  • click the [Take new screenshot] button

  • quickly open the pull down menu in the application window, that you want to make a screenshot of

  • note: the mouse pointer will not be captured
  • release your mouse and keyboard

  • wait for the purple "Mouse - Ctrl+S - Ctrl+C (etc.)" pane to show

  • click and pull the purple dots in the outline, to select the desired capture area

  • edit the selected area, by using the buttons to mark or hide an area, place numbers or arrows, or add text

  • press the [Floppy Disk] icon, to save the capture as a .png file

  • check: a "Save Screenshot" item selector pane is shown

  • after "Name:", and after "YYYY-MM-DD_hh-mm", type an an appropriate name for the screenshot
  • browse to the desired folder
  • click the [Save] button

[!] Flameshot 12.1.0 (Debian 12.1.0-2build2) works perfectly on Linux Mint 22, but version 12.1.0 (Debian 12.1.0+ds-2) doesn't work correctly on Ubuntu 25.04. I posted an issue at the Flameshot Issue page.

List of 32 bit Linux distros (i386)

Lightweight

Mediumweight

Ultra lightweight

Tools

Reviews

No live-system (only installer)

No Desktop Environment (no GUI)

ISO files that can't be booted using a Ventoy boot loader

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Ranking RAM Usage of Linux Distros

Ranking RAM usage at startup of several lightweight and mediumweight Linux distro's: (booted from ISO (Live-system), using a Ventoy boot loader)

  1. Damn Small Linux (DSL)(32bit): 86 MB
  2. antiX Linux SysVinit & Runit full (32bit): 95 MB
  3. Bodhi Linux (32bit): 140 MB
  4. antiX Linux SysVinit full (64bit): 214 MB
  5. antiX Linux Runit full (64bit): 228 MB
  6. Sparky Linux Minimal GUI (32bit): 250 MB
  7. BunsenLabs Boron (32bit): 265 MB
  8. MX Linux Fluxbox (32bit): 500 MB (MX Linux is the middleweight nephew of lightweight antiX Linux)
  9. Linux Mint Debian Edition Cinnamon (LMDE) (32bit): 780 MB
  10. MX Linux Xfce (32bit): 790 MB
  11. Linux Mint Xfce (64bit): 830 MB
  12. Linux Mint MATE (64bit): 870 MB
  13. Linux Mint Cinnamon (64bit): 1.1 GB
  14. Linux Mint Debian Edition - LMDE (64bit): 1.1 GB

Bodhi-32bit-ISO is very beautiful, but bare (out-of-the-box): no firewall applet, no LibreOffice, no Chromium/Firefox, and it does not support the exFAT File System (my standard FS for transport media) ... You have to install Bodhi, instead of just booting the ISO, and add a lot of apps to make it workable. The antiX-full-ISO's (32bit and 64bit) on the other hand, are very complete OOTB: all the apps and tools you need.

Even Ubuntu (64bit) is bare OOTB: no exFAT, gUFW, ifconfig, Timezone applet, GDebi etc. Debian-32bit doesn't even have a firewall installed, and the UFW Firewall package is not in the 32bit repository (it is in the 64bit repo though). Bare ISO's are not suitable for novice Linux users.

For several years, my daily driver is Linux Mint Cinnamon (64bit): stable, complete and beautiful, looks just like Windows 10, but, to run it you'll need at least a 2-core-2GHz-CPU + 4 GB RAM. It's not suitable for really old computers.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Radio Kootwijk

Radio Kootwijk is located nearby Apeldoorn and Arnhem in The Netherlands. Perhaps you've seen it on the TV series Arcadia or the Mindhunters movie.

The radio technology of Radio Kootwijk was quite impressive, and its architecture still is. The desktop wallpaper of od4knb Linux gives a nice impression of the signal room. The building is located in the middle of beautiful nature, nearby De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Visit Radio Kootwijk and De Hoge Veluwe National Park!

[Website Radio Kootwijk] [On the map] [Tourist information] [Website De Hoge Veluwe National Park]

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Policy, comments and disclaimer

od4knb Linux:

  • is not part of antiX Linux, it only uses its software as a base for the "od4knb-antiXradio.iso/img" files
  • has not been assigned a trademark by the Linux Mark Institute, but follows it's guidelines.
  • rejects URLs of radio stations that are religious or politically motivated, not objective, or otherwise questionable
  • keeps the antiX Linux principle "Proudly anti-fascist" in mind (not authoritarian, not nationalistic)
  • does not provide streams from radio stations that are a "puppet" of a (semi) authoritarian government

  • does not accept any financial donations, but please consider a donation to antiX Linux

  • presents all downloads under the GNU General Public Licence v3 (GPLv3): free to use, open source, but it is greatly appreciated if you mention od4knb Linux and antiX Linux in your publications/software

  • has not checked the radio stations for legality, because checking this is extremely complicated. There are several checks that need to be carried out: does the broadcaster: ~ earn money by broadcasting (commercials)? ~ receive donations (also considered income by the tax authorities)? ~ pay its taxes to the government? ~ pay a fee to the music creators association? ~ broadcast illegal/criminal spoken content? etc.

  • cannot guarantee that the installation is completely safe and unwreckable

  • has done it's very best to prevent malware slipping into the installation: ~ the internet browser has not been used for browsing the Internet on the Build PC ~ the network egress firewall is set to "High", unsafe UDP/TCP ports are closed ~ packages have been installed using the official MX Linux/Debian repositories ~ this SourceForge site is 2FA protected

  • has tested the radio station streams carefully, but it is possible that some stations will seize broadcasting in the near future.

[!] If you notice something wrong, please let me know! I will take appropriate measures.

[Go to the Table of Contents]

Post scriptum

Contact

od4knb monkey tail gmail dot com

Notice

Licence

GNU General Public Licence v3 (GPLv3)

Donations to antiX Linux

Go to the antiX Linux home page, and click the [Donate] button at the bottom.

Special thanks to

Credits

  • Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.
  • Site logo is created by Braja Omar
  • Desktop Wallpaper copyright owner: National Archives of The Netherlands (Collection Spaarnestad/Het Leven/Photographer unknown/ref. SFA022812731)

Use Broken Links at a Glance to check broken links (HTTP 404 "dead links" etc.) on any website.

[i] The text beneath is invisible on the webpage

Keywords

<meta name="keywords" content="Linux, antiXradio, Radio-antiX, internet radio, radio streams, dutch radio stations, nederlandse zenders, regionale zenders, Refracta Snapshot, antiX WiFi, antiX Wi-Fi, antiX WLAN, antiX wireless network, oude computer, old computer, vieil ordinateur, alter Rechner, 古いコンピューター, 旧电脑, old laptop, i386, 32-bit, 32bit, against e-waste, thrift store, second hand shop, kringloopwinkel, Gebrauchtwarenladen, friperie, magasin d'occasion, sleep sounds, white noise, insomnia, tinnitus">

Memo

  • do not use an asterisk in a file name, it will not show

TODOs

TODO Fedora42 is issued > change path to Fedora packages, or even better: Use the Fedora Search page TODO look at disclaimer on webradiostreams-dot-nl and garfnet TODO Add to [2411DB Wi-Fi configuration HowTo]: install Wifi-driver TODO Add --gpu-debug switch to mpv command for debugging, gives lots of info, also audio info

Special thanks to:

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Source: 2411D3-035-Sourceforge-od4knb-linux-readme-for-files-folder.md, updated 2025-08-15