SimplyMEPIS-32 6.04 beta1 release

Hi Ko;

Thanks for putting it under our attention!
I will check the ftp-server tonight...
Which ftp would be the best to check first?!?

Ruud

BTW Warren, put in a banner for this VERY GOOD news...

=====
Compaq N1050v, Pentium 4 1.8 GHz, 1024Mb Ram, MEPISLite, MEPIS 6 (acpi=off ;D).
Shuttle SN41G2, AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512Mb RAM Mepis 6.0.
Linuxuserreg # 417292 Tiocfaidh ár lá
==

IF you are a Mepis subscriber you know where to get it.
Otherwise use the dutch mirrorsite shown on www.mepis.com:
ftp://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/metalab/distributions/mepis/released/
Note: Look under 'testing', not under 'released'
It may take some time before they have it.

Regards, Ko

Ko Bros

Hi Ko;
I'll check every now and then...
Thanks, Ruud
=====
Compaq N1050v, Pentium 4 1.8 GHz, 1024Mb Ram, MEPISLite, MEPIS 6 (acpi=off ;D).
Shuttle SN41G2, AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512Mb RAM Mepis 6.0.
Linuxuserreg # 417292 Tiocfaidh ár lá
==

It seems to be official now,
besides the Mepis-seasons greetings
this MEPIS-banner is visible on Distrowatch every now and than...

Yes, getting there...

Ruud
=====
Shuttle SN41G2, AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512Mb RAM Mepis 6.0.
Linuxuserreg # 417292
Tiocfaidh ár lá
=====

I downloaded the .iso twice, yielding the same checksum in k3b. It did not match the contents of the md5checksum file.
I asked Warren to recheck the md5checksum.....

Regards, Ko

Ko Bros

I didn't check that... It works great, it looks great, only bug that I noticed is that screensaver doesn't start as in the last release, I e-mailed Warren the fix, hope he will incorporate it before the release.
--
Check out Mepis wiki: www.mepis.org/docs

I noticed the checksum was wrong. But installed it anyway.

Only problem on boot was video signal out of range on my lcd display. I looked at the old xorg.conf and changed line 153 to be 70.0 instead of 65.0. Did a Ctrl-Alt-backspace and I was in business.

153c153
< VertRefresh 50.0 - 70.0 # Very conservative. May flicker.
---
> VertRefresh 50.0 - 65.0 # Very conservative. May flicker.

It's faster, looks better and has good package selection. This is the Mepis I was hoping for. I don't have to do much tweaking at all. The only thing I really changed was the 85% panel setting.

The only problem I have left is installing vmware-player isn't working. I know it works on 6.0-1 because I just installed it on another system. Maybe Warren can add a vmware-server package to the repo.

root@5[init.d]# apt-get install vmware-player
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
vmware-player
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 0B/11.8MB of archives.
After unpacking 32.0MB of additional disk space will be used.
WARNING: The following packages cannot be authenticated!
vmware-player
Authentication warning overridden.
Preconfiguring packages ...
Selecting previously deselected package vmware-player.
(Reading database ... 80046 files and directories currently installed.)
Unpacking vmware-player (from .../vmware-player_1.0.1-4_i386.deb) ...
vmware-player-v1-0-1 license has already been accepted
Setting up vmware-player (1.0.1-4) ...
Now configuring VMware Player. (This may take some time...)
Configuring a bridged network for vmnet0.

Configuring a NAT network for vmnet8.

Probing for an unused private subnet (this can take some time)...

The subnet 172.16.150.0/255.255.255.0 appears to be unused.

Configuring a host-only network for vmnet1.

Probing for an unused private subnet (this can take some time)...

The subnet 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0 appears to be unused.

Starting VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor failed
Virtual ethernet failed
Module vmnet is not loaded. Please verify that it is loaded before
running this script.

invoke-rc.d: initscript vmware-player, action "start" failed.
dpkg: error processing vmware-player (--configure):
subprocess post-installation script returned error exit status 1
Errors were encountered while processing:
vmware-player
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

root@5[init.d]# ./vmware-player start
Starting VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor failed
Virtual ethernet failed
Module vmnet is not loaded. Please verify that it is loaded before
running this script.

Later edit: The md5checksum file has been corrected on the subscriber mepis-ftp server.

Regards, Ko

Ko Bros

kicked the tyres on the beta. My findings:
- I LOVE the new login theme. It is very slick and professional. I would have loved to see something as daring in the wallpaper
- I get an alsa error when the module is loaded, but sound works OK
- Unfortunately no kernel that switches to SMP mode automatically
- tried reiserFS instead of ext3, and found that suspend to ram works, whereas in 6.0 it does not with ext3
- The GIMP is back: hurray!
- Firefox is called Bon Echo... Wasn't that the beta codename?
- Knetworkmanager sucks for me. I would prefer to see wifi-radar
- Latest versions of OOo or Amarok unfortunately not present
- Some nice extra features in mepis network tweaks and utilities

Overall this is a nice evolutionary step. Apart from the artwork, no radical changes, but a decent distro and the little extras make it better than 6.0. Oh, wait, there is a VPN client on board. I don't use it, but it may make a difference for some. On the other hand, as I said, Knetworkmanager does not work well with my wireless card (intel with ipw3945 module). It just won't start. I had the same issue with suse 10.2, so it might mean a couple of posts from new users that get stuck with it

Newbie or not Newbie, there's always a question

Hi everyone;

After downloading and burning, absolutely "No Problemo"!
And now I've got it up and running!

Looks good to me, indeed very new graphics, not too bad, or even great, if you ask me...
Some kind of narcissism, I guess?!?

Still have the acpi=off on the laptop, it would be bouncy and choppy if I wouldn't do that.

Spelling check during typing in this box is a goody which be needed to non-native English speaking on this forum, or any other!

Of course I have to test further, but so far so good!
I really do like this new version.

Ruud
=====
Shuttle SN41G2, AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512Mb RAM Mepis 6.0.
Compaq N1050v, Pentium 4 1.8 GHz, 1024Mb Ram, MEPIS 6.0.4 SU1 (acpi=off ;D)
Linuxuserreg # 417292
Tiocfaidh ár lá
=====

Hi all.

Well, I downloaded it and checked the md5sum. That part worked just fine. I have a spare partition on my laptop, so I think I'll try to load it into there this weekend.

Any idea on how it might work with a jfs file system (for home) and the suspend thing? Also, what is the recommended "upgrade path" for the "home" directory. Currently I keep my home on a separate partition (that is the jfs system). For testing purposes I load the entire OS into one partition with a simple home directory. That way I can test and break things without damaging my real home area.

Jon

SimplyMEPIS Value CD: $17.95
Amount saved not buying Windows Vista Ultimate: $399
Experience gained learning Mepis and helping others: Priceless

I haven't downloaded the new beta yet.

But, a suggestion would be to include ntfs-3g if it's not already there.

I've noticed that a number of new distros are now including it, and it would make it easier for users that have XP and SimplyMEPIS on the same box to share files between the operating systems without the need to create a separate partition for that purpose.

Jim C.

I have to throw my 2 cents in here. I downloaded the iso and booted it up in vmplayer. I have to say it looks great and runs great. My machine is a 1.0Ghz PIII with 384MB RAM and a 64MB Radeon video card. I gave VM 128MB and it booted up and was still fairly responsive. The time to boot took a couple of minutes but once I was into KDE it ran well. I was actually surprised considering I feel my installed version seems sluggish at times.

"Freely you have received, freely give" [Matt 10:8]

I've been playing with it all day and so far it seems solid. I have one issue in that with 6.0 I could use the K7 kernel and see my AMD_64 dual core 0 and 1 info show up in the info center processor report. The desktop kernel reports out the correct processor but only seems to be running on core 0.
Hopefully that will be fixed later on. Or is there a 64 bit version on the way?

The OpenGL Screensavers are still not working right, only shows the top 1/3 of the screensaver and was not working in 6.0, should have been fixed in 6.0-1 and it is still not working. Works fine with Debian, Ubuntu, Pioneer and the PCLinuxOS, so I know it's not a problem with any of my computers.
------------------------------------------------------------
Registered Linux User #380263

Hi All.

I have downloaded the ISO, and have installed in into a VMWare Workstation guest machine. I am writing this from that virtual machine right now

I gave it 256 MB RAM and an 8 GB IDE hard drive, of which 512 MB has been set up as swap.

It took about half an hour to install.

The first thing I noticed that I liked is that I was able to choose the F3 key during bootup of the Live CD and choose 1280x800 resolution for the VM and it worked.

Installation of the vmware-tools went without a hitch. I first went into synaptic and made sure that I had the most current packages. Then, I did a search for "linux-headers". Specifically, I installed linux-headers-2.6.15-27-desktop. Once that was installed, I rebooted the VM and installed the tools. Now I have very nice response-time on moving the mouse and starting things up. The only minor glitch is that the keyboard character repeat is a little herky-jerky.

Let's see, I just did a "df" command to see how much of the hard drive has been used. The approx. 7.5 GB partition set up for "root" and "/home" are currently 33% full.

Next, I shall try to load into a real partition on my laptop. I noticed some stuff in the configuration regarding "suspend", so I look forward to testing it...

So, so far, I like what I'm seeing. Good job Warren!

Jon

SimplyMEPIS Value CD: $17.95
Amount saved not buying Windows Vista Ultimate: $399
Experience gained learning Mepis and helping others: Priceless

I used it now for a day, so everything is still (fairly) fresh....

I like it. It's speedy, looks good.

6.04 is basically a SYSTEM UPDATE of 6.0x. Most of the Mepis 6.0 tools have been upgraded, or have been split off as new modules. That -and the newer graphics- make it good.

However - being a beta- I have some coments:

1. Twice the GUI (Konqueror) just vanished for no apparent reason and I found myself on the command line and being invited to use Ctrl+Alt+F7 to get back into the GUI.
Something not really stable there.........!

2. KDE version is 3.5.3 and upgrading to 3.5.5 should have been quite easy. I upgraded immediately to 3.5.5. I only had to force-install kdebase-bin and khelpcenter in the end.

3. Default resolution was (on my LCD) 800x600 for the first time ever since I started using Mepis in 2004. (I did not touch the F3 button, I never did since I always got 1024x768 by default. I also got the out of sync ("mode not supported") signal. That was fixed easy enough though.

4. Only ONE desktop by default? Why change the 'default' FOUR?

Two nitpicky remarks

5. The accompanying "Thanks" text in the installer:

"Thanks goes to the .....Linus, Ubuntu and Debian communities...." LinuS-community......?

6. The fish basin has gone. Didn't anyone notice?

Other than that I really like beta1

Merry Xmas and Regards, Ko

Ko Bros

6.04 doesn't have the fish????????????

Mepis Utilities
Reinstall X

So when in the middle of the night did that disappear ?

Man I don't mind when they sneak in and add something
but to just remove without telling anyone wow ???

It's not removed, it's in other place... look around in Settings...
--
Check out Mepis wiki: www.mepis.org/docs

Well I have the new fresh install of the beta in place and first thing is the new graphics nice job folks it looks great.
The second thing is the speed, and I have noticed a huge jump there.

The only bug-a-boo is my LCD seems to either have to be 1600 X 1400 or some other silly size that I could never have used at 15 let alone 55 or 1280 X1024 which is a tad better but still a little on the tiny side for old eyes.
And the largest and best surprise is all the media works out of the box or off the install cd for the purists, and that is great touch. Saves us old guys a lot of hunting and searching Thanks for that Warren.

Over all it gets a 9 out of 10 just the rez bug and I will probably get that fixed today, and the screensavers not working but I still think that is KDE thing or was the last I heard. I can't wait to see the final product if this is the first beta.

Linux User #266786
http://www.thebarrel.net

I know I'm likely to catch some flak here but I also know from past experience that some folk are reluctant to raise any issues that are likely to be construed by a few as criticism of 'their' Mepis.
Bear in mind that I like others spend a considerable amount of my own time introducing & promoting Mepis out there in the real world so I hope the following will be accepted as constructive criticism.

That said I am quite disappointed with this 'Beta'version.
Perhaps it was hurried along so as to be released prior to Xmas/Chrissy? & with a little 'too much' hurry perhaps?
Speaking of Xmas the new startup menu has a nice stylised emblem with the moon I presume shining down...
BUT that other stylised emblem on lower right hand corner of the default desktop looks woeful... first it contradicts even a "stylised art" sense of perspective with "foreground" & "background" contradicting.
Secondly it will mean diddly-squat to any newcomer to Mepis with what were pyramids now broken into a meaningless zigzag edged whatever.
The emblem for those who don't know it... is more likely to resemble one of those "snowflakes in a glass sphere" Xmas balls with a busted base. Sorry but it's awful.

We lost the fishes but kept that stupid weather applet. OK no drama but it amuses me that a recent clique went anti-fish whereas a previous discussion ages ago decided overwhelmingly that it was great & a good talking point.
Anyway that is trivia & easily resolved.

Now we come to another irritating issue.
I have tried umpteen configurations until I am really sick of it.
THREE different 17" monitors - all different - Two Compaq and one Philips.
I cannot get recognition with any of them ( only asking for 1024x768 ) & unless I install using the 'ancient' setting or whatever I can only get at best 800x600.
The same three work perfectly with Mepis 6.0

This monitor problem is going to leave a lot of disappointed/irritated Mepis users out there if not fixed.
And for newcomers? Well I hate to think - Beta or not.

So far this has meant almost nil progress but much wasted time to achieve far far less than what is possible already with the excellent existing Mepis 6.0
What do they say? "If it ain't broke - don't fix it."
With the greatest respect for Warren's time & effort I just wonder if he is being (mis?)guided by some noisy rudders on his ship & not hearing the broader sounds.

With Mepis 6.0 it has been hard enough convincing folk to change or get them to try it.
With this???
Let's presume things will improve before any final release.

When you startup the live CD, press F3 in the GRUB menu and choose the correct res, does that help??

Newbie or not Newbie, there's always a question

Then please send details of your hardware (monitor and graphics cards) and a description of the problem to .

Newbie or not Newbie, there's always a question

I love that little utility and it was not there. I too am running the beta in a vm and on first impressions, I have to say I was quite impressed with the different login screen and the icon set.

Most of the things I have seen in my first 10 minutes are more of a preference than anything else, but if I was to make notes of anythign in particular, it would be openoffice is the same old same old, instead of the updated 2.1 version, and firefox is a little dated too.

I will comment further after I have installed it to hard disk if I think I have anything to contribute.

Mike P

--------------------
Life may not be the party we thought, but while we're here, we may as well dance.
Break M$'s shackles from your feet and free yourself with Mepis

I just installed it as my desktop OS. This is my first go at MEPIS as the sole OS on my family computer. So (I know it's beta) I hope it goes well and works for at least a year to two as upgrading to the next, after next, after next... version will not be really an option.

On that note, when this version becomes final will a synaptic update/upgrade bring this beta to the final version? I hope so as I have all my family members setup and migrated from the old Windows hard drive and all the settings set, etc...

I like it and it installed well and works great on my Averatec 6200 series laptop.

Thanks.

Upgraded 6.0 via synaptic to 6.04 Beta1. Very impressive. I for one like the new screens and Mepis logo at the bottom of the screen. For the first time I was able to use WPA for my wireless security. excellent.

Fishes, who cares. It was the first thing I removed, just distracting. Weather applet is also easily removed.

All in all, great progress.

Rich

So should I upgrade or does "Beta" mean this is a test version "only?"

My box is a Gateway m675prr laptop with a 17" lcd monitor.

This is the first MEPIS release where I could connect to the Internet without using ndiswrapper. My Broadcom 4306 wireless was detected AND bound to wlan0 instead of eth0... a first. The MEPIS Internet Utility worked great.

Thanks for removing the fish tank. It is easy to install if people want it, but newbies have a hard time removing it without help, until they get a little experience.

USB memory sticks load and unload fine.

Sound works great.

The ATI 9500 Mobility video works great but I haven't tried the 3D yet.

I like the improved menu layout.

Having Xara Extreme installed by default is NICE!

All-in-all it is shaping up to be the best MEPIS release yet. I shall be renewing my subscription!

--
GreyGeek