Linux Format forums

PolymorphPuppy · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:59 am Post subject: Ubuntu JWM distro???

G'day,
I love Puppy Linux - it's a beautiful speed freak! But there's many things it take's a CLI god to achieve. So I love Ubuntu as well.
But Puppy does all things well in under 64mbs. Whereas, Ubuntu uses .... I understand that it's chalk and cheese as Ubu has layers of daemons running to make life easier (which it does).

Why not Lubuntu? ... I run a business and do regular work with a local volunteer charity (a Linux Community) - I need an efficient Desktop ... Lubuntu ain't that - tried it and after many consults to the forum for confiurations gave up! Puppy's JWM ain't like that.
Looking at Puppy you realise that a well tweaked JWM config and a well teaked ROX file manager can create an easy to use (and efficient) environment to use.

I like pre-configured ... I don't have the time to pre-configure ... I need an efficient and fast workplace/workspace/Desktop ... I like the fire and forget forumula - and many non-computer users do as well. In my industry I see many computers - and many of them are XP - and many of them would even struggle with Xubuntu (one of the best pre-configured environments for semi-old computers).

I have heard that LXDE is easier to use as it nicely integrates applications (not my experience) and that JWM needs more configuration tweaks to make it run nicely... well Puppy's pre-configured JWM is actually easier than LXDE, and uses less resources. My mother-in-law (she's 80) uses Puppy JWM - and it was easy to teach her.

But isn't Puppy is now compatible with the Ubuntu repos? .. they call it Puppy Lucid but it ain't fully compatible. They've incorporated some of the Ubuntu binaries so a number of recently compiled packages for Ubuntu may be transferred over to Puppy ... maybe! (it states that Ubuntu .debs should be left for experimenters).

Minino .... hardware probs! AntiX - nice but I felt that I have to learn to drive again. Arch ... awesome but time (perhaps patience) and expertise lacking! And plz don't mention #!...

I experiment with Electronic dance music - getting Puppy to run Jack-Rack Ardour/Rosegarden, Hydrogen LMMS, tuxguitar and Zynaddsub together with MIDI has been impossible - Ubu does it without thinking! And installing those apps was a dream in Ubu!

So here's the rub....
Been looking for a JWM Ubuntu distro - can't find one! So how does one go about finding a group of people who are willing to create this. As I see an advantage for myself I would contribute 6 years of Puppy Linux experience (however I'm a coding klutz - some bash, wxbasic and xdialog only! ... plz don't laugh).
I believe that a tweaked JWM Ubuntu would run on a 200MHz 64mbs machine. I tested JWM on a minCD ubuntu 8.04 install. The basic setup used around 40mbs - so that goal is possible.

Why this goal? Cos ppl with that computer spec chuck em out. I know there's at least 1% of the population is homeless and many of these have families. I've talked to the Salvos and said they would be honoured and relieved if a local group could give reconditioned computers to these families in crisis so at least their kids would have a computer for schooling. A JWM Ubuntu fits that bill nicely.

Cheer
Martin

PS. A few mths back I criticised Jono Bacon for corporated trash talk - but amongst the gumph there's some really good stuff in his articles - so apologies Jono (just make it a little shorter plz!)

PolymorphPuppy · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:01 am Post subject:

I'm gonna cover all bases and copy this topic to the Ubuntu forums (minus the Jono postscript).
Cheer
Martin
PS. The local Linux group doesn't have the number of people or the expertise to accomplish this project.
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ajgreeny · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:56 pm Post subject:

You could always install the ubuntu minimal install CD version of ubuntu and then add jwm and whatever else you want for xsession applications.
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PolymorphPuppy · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:22 am Post subject:

G'day,
Thanks for the reply - "I tested JWM on a minCD ubuntu 8.04 install." - already done that. Alas, this ain't an efficient way - firstly, the installation takes a LONG time. 2. The base install of JWM is VERY basic and needs a lots of tweaking.

I don't have the time (patience!??!) to do this for the number of computers the Salvos need for just my small city (over 200!). Also, many of the volunteers I can round up don't have the expertise to do this type of installation. Alas, I started a local LUG but few were interested, so I focused on a local Linux community to introduce Linux to newbies (and reconditioning if enough ppl were interested) - so very little expertise was/is forthcoming (I could rant about local linux geeks ... but I won't).

Personally, I doubt that this project will ever fly. I've posted here, on the Linux Forums and Ubuntu Forums and bugger all responses. Individually, I can do some of the development but lack necessary coding skills, and Ubuntu LiveCD creation skills, to produce a worthwhile distro. Too many respins with just a lick of paint around atm.

##Rant Warning!##
Unfortunately, personal experience has shown me that there's a lot of flag waving GNU opinionates (egotists), but when it comes to committing to a worthwhile project all I hear is crickets chirping.... sigh!
##End of Rant##

Cheers
Martin

PS. I usually don't roam forums so if you have ideas to help me with this project I'd appreciate hearing from you ...
toowoombalinux@gmail.com

nelz · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:31 am Post subject:

Ubuntu provides all the tools you need to create a custom distro. You've already done the hardest part, setting up an installation with just the programs you want, although it may have been easier to copy the JWM configuration from Puppy as a starting point. Once you have it as you want, use remastersys to create an installation CD that will replicate this across all your computers.

Linux Format 149 contains instructions on doing just this.

As for people being unwilling to commit to a "worthwhile project", have you considered that their time may be as limited as yours? The best person to scratch your itch is you. Open source enables others to choose to help you, or not do it all for you.
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PolymorphPuppy · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject:

PCNetSpec · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:04 am Post subject:

Have you tried the Ubuntu Customization Kit (UCK) ?

http://uck.sourceforge.net/
and a partial walkthrough:
http://linux.co.uk/2011/01/ubuntu-customization-kit-uck-2-4-3-released/
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PolymorphPuppy · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 10:35 am Post subject:

Interesting .... Does UCK work in 8.04?

Found later versions aren't good with older hardware (understandable as they can only support that stuff for so long).

Cheers
Martin