Olobuntu Files

Welcome to Olobuntu!

Olobuntu was designed to make the transition from Windows user to Linux user as painless as possible.
Everything in it is readily available from public repos and most modification procedures can be found in tutorials on the Internet.
So why a new Linux distro? Is this even an actual Distro?
The answer to the second question first - Probably not since no source code was modified.

Everything done by me can be done by an experienced Linux user in 2-3 hours.
However it could take an inexperienced Linux user, 4-8 hours, even following a detailed step by step tutorial.
Provided they understood all the concepts and made no mistakes.
Also, and here is the really big one, they have the desire to do all that.

It has been my experience that they don't. Someone coming from Windows or MacOS usually wants everything to just work after an install. They have no desire to learn Linux, they just want to use it.

Many in the Linux community disdain them and often openly mock them.
I don't. I embrace them. I want them to use Linux to connect to and surf the Internet, do their homework, write emails, watch videos and DVDs, write documents and spreadsheets they can share with their Windows using friends. All, immediately after installation

In essence "use" the computer without having to learn all the maintenance terminal commands from day one.

That is why I've included so many packages and pre-installed so many drivers. In fact I would include more if I could. Unfortunately, there are just too many, especially Realtek WiFi drivers. Also, Broadcom drivers tend to conflict with each other. So after initially attempting to include them, instead I've removed them all.

Linux Mint and Peppermint come very close to what Olobuntu does. Ubuntu MATE is the easiest to add most features. Olobuntu is just about as lightweight as Peppermint and more so than the other two.

If you are looking for a mainstream Linux distro then you should consider one of those 3. Although, because Olobuntu is just Xubuntu with add-ons, all updates and security patches will come from Ubuntu repositories as they normally would.


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This is a test version. It is not meant to be used by an inexperienced Linux user for daily use yet. Wait for the Final Release.
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First things first, when booting a Live USB/DVD it will ask for a user login. It is olobuntu, no password, enter it and click login twice.

Detailed installation procedures are below.

Olobuntu was inspired by Zorin, hence why I made the default background the same.
Olobuntu is based entirely on Xubuntu 18.04 LTS. I deserve no credit for the programming of the system.

The only "programming" I did was to modify CSS to change the WhiskerMenu theme. Many default programs are included, especially various GUI tools to allow the new user to make changes and troubleshoot without needing to use terminals commands very often, if it all.

The desktop theme is from the official Pop!OS site and the Icons are from the Numix Project.

The ISO was created with Pinguybuilder. Again, I deserve no credit.

3rd party drivers to allow the playing of videos and DVD immediately after install are included.
As are MS fonts available for LibreOffice or any Office Suite you add later.

By installing Olobuntu you agree to abide by the terms of all 3rd party EULA. 

Broadcom and Nvidia drivers were not included in the Alpha versions. Broadcom drivers will be included in a seperate file in the zip package to be install as needed in the Final Release. There will a seperate Nvidia version the way Pop!OS does it at a future date.

If you do have Broadcom or Nvidia Either can be installed via the Software Updater > Settings  > Additional Drivers. Please see the note at the end on issues I had with one Nvidia card.

You will need an Internet connection to do so.

The standard Canonical repositories are used as well as the ones for Pop!OS and the Numix Project.

The ISO and therefore the amount of disk space required for install is large due to so much being included.
Once it is installed it is fairly light weight using about 256MB RAM.

Minimum Requirements:
Pentium CPU over 1Ghz (32 bit version, Pentium D CPU starting at 2.6Ghz)
512MB RAM
15GB Hard Drive storage.

Recommended:
Pentium Duo Core CPU or higher
1GB or more RAM
20GB Hard Drive storage, or more.

Any USB image writer can be used to create a Live USB. Etcher is included for convenience. 
Any DVD Image burner can be used to create a Live DVD

A USB or DVD with 4GB or more capacity is required.

Included in the zip file:

balena-etcher-electron-1.5.51-linux-ia32.zip - Zip file containing Appimage of 32 Bit Etcher. Will run on any Linux, just double-Click  (incuded only in 32 bit versions, all 64 bit Linux distros have a native USB creator)

balenaEtcher-Portable-1.5.51.exe - Will run on any Windows. No need to install, just double-Click    

Olobuntu 32 or 64 .iso.md5

Olobuntu 32_or 64 .iso.sha256

Olobuntu 32 or .iso

README - this file

The 32 bit version works best if installed on a BIOS/Legacy/CSM system and a drive with msdos partition table.
Which is the standard on most 32 bit systems. 

It can be installed on UEFI but a grub will not be installed. If installed on a system with a pre-existing grub, the OS that owns the grub can update the grub and Olobuntu will recognized and will boot from that grub. However, any update to programs that require generating a new initramfs will have problems on reboot. That includes items like a new kernel, Broadcom and Nvidia drivers. It is suggested that the UEFI method only be used for evaluation purposes.

Olobuntu has been tested on virtual systems. I recieved positive feedback on the results of installing it in that manner.

Olobuntu has been tested on AMD CPU based systems. Again, the feedback was positive, any additional feedback on the results of installing it on those systems would be greatly appreciated.

Olobuntu has been tested by me on laptops and desktops with Intel Pentium, Celeron D, Pentium Duo Core, and an i5, CPU.
Testing has been done on systems with 1GB to 4GB RAM. Also, on systems with Broadcom WiFi and Nvidia graphics.

The 32 Bit version also works on 64 Bit CPUs.

The 64 Bit version has been tested on both UEFI and BIOS/Legacy/CSM systems.

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Installation:
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Download the appropriate .zip file for your system.
Extract by double clicking in most systems.
Create a Live USB or DVD with the .iso
Boot your system from it.
Pick Start Olobuntu 
You will see an Xubuntu splash screen.
On the login, enter olobuntu
Click login twice

Once Olobuntu is up, you can connect to the Internet if desired. It is not necessary to be connected to install.

The Plank will be at its default position, the Bottom. you can correct it using Plank Preferences from the menu after installation. 

use gparted from the menu if you need to prepare your hard drive for installation.
double-Click Install Olobuntu
The install process is the same as any Ubuntu or its derivatives.

Be sure to check "Install Third Party"
Only "erase all" and "something else" install options have been tested so far. Use "install along side" at your own risk.

The "something else" option has been used to manually install Olobuntu along side other OS successfully.

After booting to your new Olobuntu use Plank Preferences in the menu to place it where you like. Typically on the top. 

Connect to the Internet via the WiFi icon.

Software Updater will launch automatically if there are available updates. Install them and reboot.

Done! You can now use Olobuntu! 

I hope you enjoy using Olobuntu as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Please send any feedback, a gift card for coffee, or donations to oloccorb@yahoo.com

All donated funds will be used to purchase additional hardware to develop and test Olobuntu.
My YouTube Channel is TheOloccorb
I am on FaceBoook as Steve Broccolo and can most often be found hanging out in the Ubuntu group.

Thank You!!
Steven Broccolo