SbK state of the project

Contributions SbK Spins
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I am disabled and live on a fixed income. The SbK project is a labor of love that keeps me sane. To make the spins I have been using ancient hardware most people would have tossed away a long time ago. The build server has a Core 2 Quad (2007). My main computer has a FX 6300 (2012), both have 6gb of ram. Its a testament to Linux that hardware this old is still usable in some way.

Awhile back I signed up for “Buy Me a Coffee” as a way to upgrade the hardware the project uses. There havent been a lot of donations, but a slow trickle over time. I am thankful for each and every one. Its not enough to buy new modern computers, but I have finally been able to upgrade the hardware a little.

I found that I qualify for discount hardware from PC’s for people. Today I went and got 2 computers. Both have an i5 6500 (2015) with 8gb of ram. I know they are old, but the Skylake processors are a big upgrade.

The next release is Debian 825 on the 1st. I am going to setup the new to me hardware after that. Its just to soon to a release to be messing with things and still get it out. That should leave plenty of time before the 825 Manjaro release on the 15th.

3 Likes
22

The hardware upgrade is finished. Its a good thing I waited till after a release. I started on the first and finished fixing all software issues a few minutes ago. The Manjaro build partition on the build system had to be completely reinstalled and setup. But to be honest it was an old install with issues from past failed upgrades. The Debian build partition took a day to redo all the broken symlinks and get it working.

The good thing is it shaved about two minutes off of building an iso. When building 5 or more desktops with multiple iso’s that adds up fast.

Everything should be set for the Manjaro 825 series on the 15th.

2 Likes
23

A discussion in the SbK IceWM 925 release thread on the Manjaro forum got me thinking. A server spin might be a good idea. I have a few days to kill before starting on the Debian 1025 series so I started making the packages for a Manjaro server spin. Its going to be a little different than most of the spins. Since servers are usually headless the theming aspect isnt as important. But I do want to make it easy to install. To do that I am going to use IceWM as an install desktop. The theming is going to be based on the SbK website background. It wont change when new releases come out. It will also only be released every other release cycle like Talking Mate.
The minimal iso will be bare bones. After install users will boot into a command line. The full iso will likely have a IceWM desktop that can be started from the command line on occasion to make it easier to do some things for those not 100% comfortable with the command line. Both versions will have Cockpit installed so the server can be controlled in a browser on another computer if the server is headless.
Its still early in the server spin development, so it may take some time before iso’s are released if all goes to plan.

2 Likes
24

I am taking a look at the Manjaro lineup of spins again. 6 monthly spins is is a lot and now there are two that are every other month. Since there are now two every other month that makes 7 releases a month.
As in the past I have noticed that the spins that take the most work are downloaded the least. In this case its Mate Compiz.
I do like the eye candy, and I love Mate because I ran it for a few years in the past. Sadly Compiz is in the AUR and it has to be rebuilt a lot whenever an update happens that updates libraries Compiz relies on. Since I dont run it, it may be weeks for those using it without the eye candy.
I am thinking of doing what I do with the Debian Talking Mate release. Giving simple easy to follow instructions to convert it to a standard Mate desktop and a link to download a conky file. I may even create a script that will convert it by clicking on it.
If you have any suggestions or comments on this plan please post them here as I am still not sure what direction I will go.

2 Likes
25

If I were you, I’d drop the MATE/Compiz spin, Jim. As you say, it’s a lot of work due to compiz being in the AUR. People who’d want it should be willing to build it themselves.

3 Likes
26

Thanks for the reply. I think you are right, and Mate Compiz is now out of the lineup. Mainly because I cant really tell when Compiz stops working making me rebuild it every update.
I will still have a Mate spin in Talking Mate which with the deletion of one file becomes a standard Mate desktop.

3 Likes
27

This is probably adding work, and probably quite a bit, so it would be understandable if you did not see it as a viable idea, but have you thought of a Manjaro Media spin similar to Ubuntu Studio.

I used to use Ubuntu Studio, but a few things recently put me off, and I am now using Manjaro with the Software I need for Recording Music.

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I havent really thought about it. But it doesnt sound all that hard once a package list is made. What desktop would be best for it, and what applications would it use/need? About the only desktop I dont like building is KDE.

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Well Ubuntu Studio now uses KDE, and I think so does The Fedora spin, and I’m using KDE on my Manajro machine. But it doesn’t really matter.

Ubuntu Studio used to use XFCE, but other than GNOME, pretty much any really.

Cinnamon would look good, and I personally would like using it… and I could dig out my scripts that make Cinnamon work a lot like KDE.

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Cinnamon would be ok, I have a base buildiso profile for it. I would also be ok with a Mate desktop as long as it dooesnt use AUR packages. What I would need next is a list of the software thats needed. I do not create music, so I am nott really knowlagable about what software is used. Also sound config, is pipewire ok or is there an audio server that is better for a studio desktop.

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I primarily use Audacity for my recording, so for me pipewire, or whatever is standard on Manjaro is just fine.

For those who use other DAWs I really can’t say. There may be dependencies on Jack and jackCTL, and there are other tools for wiring devices. Ill have to check that out too.

there is another user on here who is using Manajaro as a Recording Studio base. But I have forgotten who they are.

In the mean time I’ll check out other DAWs and Audio Tools, and get back to you on that.

BTW, even IceWM would work. But the desktop may also influence other’s desire to try a Manjaro Studio OS.

Also as a point of Information Ubuntu Studio offers 3 Media Options.

Audio as in Recording Studio and Electronic Music
Video as in Video Processing
Graphic as in Drawing and Digital Art

Like I said it could be more than you have the resources to do. So might not be viable.

EDIT:

Here’s a rundown of the primary applications on Ubuntu Studio (as discovered via AI search)

Audio Applications

Ardour: Professional digital audio workstation (DAW)
Audacity: Audio recording and editing software
JACK Audio Connection Kit: Professional sound server
Hydrogen: Advanced drum machine/sequencer
Mixxx: DJ mixing software

Video Applications

Kdenlive: Professional video editing software
OpenShot: User-friendly video editor
Blender: 3D animation and video editing
OBS Studio: Screen recording and streaming

Graphics Applications

GIMP: Advanced image manipulation program
Inkscape: Vector graphics editor
Krita: Digital painting and illustration software
Scribus: Desktop publishing software

Photography Applications

Darktable: RAW image processor
RawTherapee: Advanced photo editing software
Hugin: Panorama photo stitching tool

EDIT:
Here’s a non comprehensive list of list of Audio tools

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)

Ardour
LMMS
Reaper

Recording and Editing

Audacity
Ocenaudio

Audio Routing and Management

JACK Audio Connection Kit
PulseAudio

Specialized Audio Tools

Hydrogen (Drum Machine)
Mixxx (DJ Software)

Synthesizers and Virtual Instruments

Helm
ZynAddSubFX
Yoshimi
Hexter
Padthv1
Qsynth

Audio Programming Environments

Pure Data (Pd)
SuperCollider
ChucK
Sonic Pi

Additional Utilities

Carla
Rakarrack
Guitarix

Analysis and Measurement

Sonic Visualiser
Baudline
RNNoise

Audio Conversion

SoX (Sound eXchange)
FFmpeg

MIDI Tools

VMPK (Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard)
QMidiRoute

Network and Collaborative Tools

Netjack
Ninjam
2 Likes
32

I have adapted a buildiso profile from LXQt. It will likely continue to use the LXQt themes when released. A few packages you suggested have issues

AUR packages

Rakarrack
Ninjam
Ocenaudio

Not found

Netjack
Baudline

I would rather not use AUR packages as it adds to getting out the spin by having to build the updated apps and any AUR required packages. If the packages are not in the repos or AUR its hard to include them

As I am speaking the first iso is compressing so this is likely all the packages with issues. I will post a link to the test iso in this thread once I upload it.

Eventually I would like to add a panel on the left that autohides with a selection of apps. Any suggestions on the 5 or 6 apps would be helpful.

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I have built a first iso, it can be downloaded here. Its 3.9 gb, which is smaller than the 7.9 gb of Ubuntu Studio.
It says its a minimal iso, but I used to minimal iso package list to cut out a lot of applications that may not be necessary. I think in the future there will only be one iso, a full version.
Let me know what you think and if there are any additions still needed. Its a big iso at 3.9 gb, but as long as we stay in the 4 - 4.5 gb size it should be ok.

1 Like
34

I agree. Not using AUR is preferable. it’s better if the user locates flatpak packages.

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I’ll grab that and check it out.

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Ubuntu Studio also contains packages for Photography and Video editing, so yes it will be big. The person installing usually gets to choose which branch they want.

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I did include the video and photography apps you suggested above in this post. If you think something else needs to be added, just let me know. There is still room to add applications.

1 Like
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I had a quick look at it on my Studio computer. But I will have to install it to be sure of everything. My Favourite Audacity works fine, but when I ttried Yoshimi, which I use for my MIDI keyborad I wasn’t able to get it working.

So until I install, I can’t really say what’s missing, or needs to be done.

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No hurry, it may just be a config that needs to be added. Also things dont always work in VM’s.

1 Like