You are not logged in.

#2601 2025-03-19 23:03:49

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Just installed LiliDog and I must say I'm very impressed with what sleekmason has done with it and the attention to detail throughout.

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-03-19 23:19:41)

Offline

#2602 2025-03-20 15:15:48

DeepDayze
Like sands through an hourglass...
From: In Linux Land
Registered: 2017-05-28
Posts: 1,897

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

So sad to hear about Sleekmason...he was quite a frequent poster here and hopefully once he takes care of his health he'd be back in some way shape or form.


Real Men Use Linux

Offline

#2603 2025-03-20 21:53:05

dmontaine
Member
Registered: 2017-02-14
Posts: 79

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Since it seems that Lilidog is not going to continue, should the features that were developed for it be evaluated to see if any of them are appropriate for bunsenlabs?

Offline

#2604 2025-03-20 22:29:52

DeepDayze
Like sands through an hourglass...
From: In Linux Land
Registered: 2017-05-28
Posts: 1,897

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

dmontaine wrote:

Since it seems that Lilidog is not going to continue, should the features that were developed for it be evaluated to see if any of them are appropriate for bunsenlabs?

If Sleek says it's OK for that then why not?


Real Men Use Linux

Offline

#2605 2025-03-22 15:52:10

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

I've just downloaded the latest version of Neptune (a year old now). Nothing much has changed really, it's still the same distro (KDE on Debian Stable) though with updated software; but it all works well enough, There's a low memory option available for people with limited specced computers, using Enlightenment as the window manager.

One thing to be aware of though is that because it's a German distro, it's easy to access the German repositories by mistake as I did (still not got a clue what Firefox-Datenschutzhinweis means, though I'm sure I can look it up).

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-03-22 16:00:48)

Offline

#2606 2025-03-22 16:12:02

darknetmatrix
Member
From: /home/labs
Registered: 2015-09-29
Posts: 166
Website

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Colonel Panic wrote:

I've just downloaded the latest version of Neptune (a year old now). Nothing much has changed really, it's still the same distro (KDE on Debian Stable) though with updated software; but it all works well enough, There's a low memory option available for people with limited specced computers, using Enlightenment as the window manager.

One thing to be aware of though is that because it's a German distro, it's easy to access the German repositories by mistake as I did (still not got a clue what Firefox-Datenschutzhinweis means, though I'm sure I can look it up).

It means Firefox Data protection notice


⢀⣴⠾⠻⢶⣦⠀
⣾⠁⢠⠒⠀⣿⡁ Debian - The universal operating system linux user # 527315
⢿⡄⠘⠷⠚⠋⠀ https://www.debian.org
⠈⠳⣄⠀

Offline

#2607 2025-03-22 16:15:11

darknetmatrix
Member
From: /home/labs
Registered: 2015-09-29
Posts: 166
Website

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Currently, Xebian runs very smoothly on my one desktop. Wondering if Sid will break something sooner or later.


⢀⣴⠾⠻⢶⣦⠀
⣾⠁⢠⠒⠀⣿⡁ Debian - The universal operating system linux user # 527315
⢿⡄⠘⠷⠚⠋⠀ https://www.debian.org
⠈⠳⣄⠀

Offline

#2608 2025-03-22 18:24:31

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

darknetmatrix wrote:
Colonel Panic wrote:

I've just downloaded the latest version of Neptune (a year old now). Nothing much has changed really, it's still the same distro (KDE on Debian Stable) though with updated software; but it all works well enough, There's a low memory option available for people with limited specced computers, using Enlightenment as the window manager.

One thing to be aware of though is that because it's a German distro, it's easy to access the German repositories by mistake as I did (still not got a clue what Firefox-Datenschutzhinweis means, though I'm sure I can look it up).

It means Firefox Data protection notice

Thanks. I've managed to covert the interface to (British) English now, though it was a struggle and involved having to look up several German words in an online translation program.

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-03-22 18:25:33)

Offline

#2609 2025-03-30 23:11:28

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Well that didn't last long because I got a screen refresh problem in Neptune that I was unable to overcome.

I've removed Neptune now and installed Debian Stable (12.10) from the installation DVD, which with the Mate desktop manager is all working impeccably so far (as Debian Stable usually does).

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-03-30 23:15:24)

Offline

#2610 2025-03-31 12:28:36

Pirx
Member
Registered: 2018-08-27
Posts: 176

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

I've installed Mint XFCE on one of my  computers. Suddenly, there were to many problems with Sparky. I feel like an ungrateful f...k, but I just can't be bothered with sending bug reports anymore (don't have time). sad

Last edited by Pirx (2025-03-31 12:38:41)

Offline

#2611 2025-04-11 18:49:00

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

I recently downloaded Sparky (lightweight edition, with LXQT and Midori instead of Firefox) and installed it.
To be frank it's the same old story - it works well but looks very retro and I also dislike the logo on the Start button.

Looking into changing it by installing a different window manager or desktop environment.

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-04-11 18:50:06)

Offline

#2612 2025-04-11 20:35:43

Pirx
Member
Registered: 2018-08-27
Posts: 176

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Colonel Panic wrote:

To be frank it's the same old story - it works well but looks very retro...

That's the point of LXQT/XFCE/MATE. For a more modern look you should try KDE version or install Budgie desktop. TBH, BunsenLabs looks even more retro (the whole DE, but Conky is the most retro thing you can have on your desktop) and I don't have a problem with it. I use my phone a lot and at work I use Windows 11. I like my home computer to look a bit old-school.

Colonel Panic wrote:

...and I also dislike the logo on the Start button.

Difficult to argue here... I've never really tried LXQT, but it's worth trying to right click on the icon. It may be possible to change it (it is in many DEs).

Last edited by Pirx (2025-04-11 20:55:01)

Offline

#2613 2025-04-12 09:04:48

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Pirx wrote:

That's the point of LXQT/XFCE/MATE. For a more modern look you should try KDE version or install Budgie desktop. TBH, BunsenLabs looks even more retro (the whole DE, but Conky is the most retro thing you can have on your desktop) and I don't have a problem with it. I use my phone a lot and at work I use Windows 11. I like my home computer to look a bit old-school.

Thanks for replying.

It looks worse in the Sparky incarnation because all the colours (especially the wallpaper) are so dull; it's like something from the late 90s, or the DOS palate. I’ve used LXQT in other distros (like MX, where I installed it myself) and not had the same problem.

LXQT is very lightweight, that's one big advantage it has over KDE. I quite like Conky and you can easily change the fonts etc. to make it look smarter; there's even a program (Conky Manager) that does it for you.

Budgie's not bad (I use it when I install Ultramarine). Likewise Mate; I’m using now (I’m posting from Debian Stable with Mate installed). The only thing none of them have that XFce, Fluxbox and Openbox all have is the ability to list all the windows that are currently open by clicking on the desktop.

Pirx wrote:

Difficult to argue here... I've never really tried LXQT, but it's worth trying to right click on the icon. It may be possible to change it (it is in many DEs).

Yeah, I suppose some people must like it.

It's a pity because Sparky is, under the surface, a very well worked out distro. I suspect the people behind it are all software engineers (it comes from Poland), and aesthetics has taken a back seat.

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-04-12 10:39:50)

Offline

#2614 2025-04-12 10:39:06

Pirx
Member
Registered: 2018-08-27
Posts: 176

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Colonel Panic wrote:

It looks worse in the Sparky incarnation because all the colours (especially the wallpaper) are so dull...

Does anyone use default wallpaper and settings?

Colonel Panic wrote:

LXQT is very lightweight, that's one big advantage it has over KDE.

There is also Sparky Minimal GUI version. It uses openbox and tint.

Colonel Panic wrote:

I quite like Conky and you can easily change the fonts etc. to make it look smarter; there's even a program (Conky Manager) that does it for you.

The whole idea is very retro. To have all this text and numbers on the desktop.

Colonel Panic wrote:

It's a pity because Sparky is, under the surface, a very well worked out distro. I suspect the people behind it are all software engineers (it comes from Poland), and aesthetics has taken a back seat.

The've left aesthetics for the users. I've never used any distro with default settings.

Last edited by Pirx (2025-04-12 10:40:12)

Offline

#2615 2025-04-12 18:43:22

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Thanks for replying, but I largely disagree. I'm in another Polish distro right now - Mabox, a Manjaro respin - and I haven't either had or wanted to change any of the settings at all, not even the wallpaper; it looks good straight out of the box. It also uses Conky for system info.

It shows what can be done if the devs make the appearance of their distro a priority (and I'm not saying it's the only one).

https://maboxlinux.org/

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-04-12 18:54:38)

Offline

#2616 2025-04-12 20:13:50

Pirx
Member
Registered: 2018-08-27
Posts: 176

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

I don't expect a distro to look good out of the box. I always change it and my desktops look more or less the same no matter what distro I'm using at the moment. Fedora, Solus, Porteus, Mint, Sparky, Peppermint, wattOS, BunsenLabs - they all looked the same on my laptops. The only one that looked different was Puppy Linux, but that was ages ago.

Colonel Panic wrote:

It shows what can be done if the devs make the appearance of their distro a priority (and I'm not saying it's the only one).
https://maboxlinux.org/

Well, I had a look at the screenshots and it doesn't look good at all, IMHO. Too inconsistent, messy and a bit amateurish. And very old-fashioned, as well.

Mabox_Geralt_custom_menupanels.jpg

Last edited by Pirx (2025-04-12 20:30:30)

Offline

#2617 2025-04-13 10:12:12

napcok
Member
From: Poland
Registered: 2018-12-22
Posts: 16
Website

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Pirx wrote:

I don't expect a distro to look good out of the box. I always change it and my desktops look more or less the same no matter what distro I'm using at the moment. Fedora, Solus, Porteus, Mint, Sparky, Peppermint, wattOS, BunsenLabs - they all looked the same on my laptops. The only one that looked different was Puppy Linux, but that was ages ago.

Colonel Panic wrote:

It shows what can be done if the devs make the appearance of their distro a priority (and I'm not saying it's the only one).
https://maboxlinux.org/

Well, I had a look at the screenshots and it doesn't look good at all, IMHO. Too inconsistent, messy and a bit amateurish. And very old-fashioned, as well.

https://maboxlinux.org/wp-content/uploa … panels.jpg

Thanks for reminding me that I need to replace the 4-year-old screenshots on the site. I'll do it soon - after the new release wink

Offline

#2618 2025-04-13 12:05:42

Pirx
Member
Registered: 2018-08-27
Posts: 176

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Just remember that I don't mind how the system looks out of the box, if it can be easily customized (if it can't then we have a problem). I was just pointing to the Sparky vs Mabox comparison. I simply disagree that one of them looks modern and the other looks retro. IMO, they are both in the same category. Of course, in case of Mabox, I base my opinion on the screenshots only. wink

Last edited by Pirx (2025-04-13 12:09:22)

Offline

#2619 2025-04-13 14:11:01

DeepDayze
Like sands through an hourglass...
From: In Linux Land
Registered: 2017-05-28
Posts: 1,897

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

napcok wrote:
Pirx wrote:

I don't expect a distro to look good out of the box. I always change it and my desktops look more or less the same no matter what distro I'm using at the moment. Fedora, Solus, Porteus, Mint, Sparky, Peppermint, wattOS, BunsenLabs - they all looked the same on my laptops. The only one that looked different was Puppy Linux, but that was ages ago.

Colonel Panic wrote:

It shows what can be done if the devs make the appearance of their distro a priority (and I'm not saying it's the only one).
https://maboxlinux.org/

Well, I had a look at the screenshots and it doesn't look good at all, IMHO. Too inconsistent, messy and a bit amateurish. And very old-fashioned, as well.

https://maboxlinux.org/wp-content/uploa … panels.jpg

Thanks for reminding me that I need to replace the 4-year-old screenshots on the site. I'll do it soon - after the new release wink

That's a great idea to show prospective users of your distro of how it would look right out of the box, especially if there's been recent updates to theming for example.


Real Men Use Linux

Offline

#2620 2025-04-14 18:59:58

Colonel Panic
Member
Registered: 2018-11-13
Posts: 1,403

Re: Distro-hoppers anonymous

Pirx wrote:

Just remember that I don't mind how the system looks out of the box, if it can be easily customized (if it can't then we have a problem). I was just pointing to the Sparky vs Mabox comparison. I simply disagree that one of them looks modern and the other looks retro. IMO, they are both in the same category. Of course, in case of Mabox, I base my opinion on the screenshots only. wink

Yes, and it's gotten better since that screenshot (21); it's on 23 now.

I suppose there's "good" retro and "bad" retro. Everyone knows that antiX looks a bit retro but those who use it put up with that because of its low demands on system resources compared to, say, a Gnome- or KDE Plasma-based distro like Fedora (whose new release is imminent by the way).

Sparky used to have a variant which was themed to look like CDE (NsCDE), and that looked about 25 years out of date (like the original CDE) but it worked well. I suppose there weren't enough takers for the devs to think it was worth their while continuing with it.

https://sparkylinux.org/nscde

Last edited by Colonel Panic (2025-04-14 19:13:48)

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB