MX Linux

MX Linux is a midweight Linux operating system based on Debian stable and using core antiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community.[2] MX Linux was developed as a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS communities. The MX 'name' came from the M for MEPIS and the X from antiX - an acknowledgment of their roots. The community's stated goal is to produce "a family of operating systems that are designed to combine elegant and efficient desktops with high stability and solid performance".

MX Linux
MX-21 "Wildflower"
DeveloperMX Dev Team
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial release24 March 2014 (2014-03-24)
Latest releaseMX 21.1[1] / April 9, 2022 (2022-04-09)
Available inMultilingual
Update methodAPT
Platformsamd64, i686
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
Default
user interface		Xfce, Fluxbox & KDE
LicenseLinux Foundation Sublicense No. 20140605-0483
Official websitemxlinux.org

MX Linux uses the Xfce desktop environment as its flagship, to which it adds a freestanding KDE Plasma version and in 2021 a standalone Fluxbox implementation. Other environments can be added or are available as "spin-off" ISO images.

History

MX Linux began in a discussion about future options among members of the MEPIS community in December 2013.[3] Developers from antiX then joined them, bringing the ISO build system as well as Live-USB/DVD technology. To be listed on the Linux distribution clearinghouse website DistroWatch, MX Linux was initially presented as a version of antiX. It received its own DistroWatch page with the release of the first public beta of MX-16 on November 2, 2016.

  • The MX-14 series was based on Debian Stable "Wheezy", using Xfce 4.10 and then, with the 14.4 release, Xfce 4.12. The MX-14 versions were intended to fit onto a CD, which limited the number of applications that could be included. This series saw the gradual evolution of the MX Tools, a collection of utilities to help users with common tasks that are often complicated and obscure.[4]
  • MX-15 moved to the new Debian Stable "Jessie" using systemd-shim, meaning that systemd is installed but the default init is sysvinit.[3] The size limitation was lifted, enabling the developers to present a full turnkey product. There was a substantial expansion of MX Tools.
  • MX-16 was still based on Debian Stable "Jessie", but with many applications backported and added and from other sources. There were further refinements to MX Tools, import of advanced antiX developments, expanded support, and a completely new icon/theme/wallpaper collection.[5][6]
  • MX-16.1 collected all bug fixes and improvements since MX-16, added a new kingfisher theme, upgraded and streamlined MX Tools, revised documentation, and added new translations.[7]
  • MX-17 changed its base to Debian 9 (Stretch) and brought upgraded artwork, new MX Tools, improved Live operation via antiX and other changes.[8]
  • MX-18 continued the development of MX Tools, introduced a new kernel, enabled whole disk encryption, and added grub themes, splash functionality through MX Boot options artwork, and improved localization.[9]
  • MX-19 upgraded its base to Debian 10 (Buster) and its default desktop to Xfce 4.14. It is characterized by new and revised Tools, artwork, documentation, localization, and technical features.[10]
  • MX-21 was released on October 21, 2021. It is based on Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, KDE or Fluxbox versions. Details in the MX Blog.[11]
  • MX-21.1 was released on April 9, 2022. It is based on Debian 11.3 (Bullseye) and is available as Xfce, KDE, Xfce AHS, and Fluxbox versions. Disk Manager returns and for share settings, MX Samba Config app (GUI) is included. Further details in the MX Blog.[1]

Desktop Environments

Besides the fast and medium-low resource default XFCE desktop environment MX Linux also has two other desktop editions:

  • A free-standing 'Fluxbox' version with very low resource usage was released October 21, 2021.[12]
  • A 'KDE' version was released on August 16, 2020 which is an Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) enabled (64-bit only) version of MX featuring the KDE/Plasma desktop and the currently features a long-term supported Linux 5.10.x AHS kernel.[13]

In addition, a 'XFCE' (64 bit only) Advanced Hardware Support (AHS) was released with newer graphics drivers, 5.10 kernel and firmware for very recent hardware.[14]

Releases
VersionReleaseKernel[15]Kernel (AHS)[16]
MX-21.1 all DE's[1]April 9, 20225.105.16.0
MX-21 AHS[17]November 22, 20215.105.14.0
MX-21[18]October 21, 20215.10
MX-19.4.1April 8, 20215.10
MX-19.4[19]March 31, 20214.19
MX-19.3November 11, 2020
MX-19.2 KDEAugust 16, 2020
MX-19.2[20]May 31, 2020
MX-19.1February 14, 2020
MX-19October 21, 2019
MX-18.3May 26, 2019
MX-18.2April 7, 2019
MX-18.1February 9, 2019
MX-18December 20, 2018
MX-17.1March 14, 20184.15.4
MX-17December 15, 2017
MX-16.1June 8, 20174.7.8
MX-16December 13, 2016N/A
MX-15December 24, 2015N/A
MX-14.4March 22, 2015N/A
MX-14.3December 3, 2014N/A
MX-14.2June 30, 2014N/A
MX-14.1.1June 18, 2014N/A
MX-14March 27, 2014 (non-PAE)N/A
MX-14[21]March 24, 2014 (PAE)3.12.0

Features

MX Linux has basic tools like a graphic installer that handles UEFI computers, a GUI-based method to change a Linux kernel and other core programs.

It includes MX Tools,[22] a suite of user-oriented utilities, many of which were developed specifically for MX, while some were forked from existing antiX applications or are existing antiX applications; a couple were imported with permission from outside sources.

A particularly popular one is MX-snapshot, a GUI tool to remaster a live session or installation into a single .ISO file. The "cloned" image is bootable from disk or USB flash drive, maintaining all settings, allowing an installation to be completely backed up, and/or distributed with minimal administrative effort, since an advanced method of copying the file system (developed by antiX-Linux) uses bind-mounts performing the "heavy lifting".

System Requirements

Minimum

  • 8.5 GB hard disk space for installation.
  • 1 GB RAM for i386 and AMD64 architectures.
  • Bootable CD-DVD drive or a USB stick.
  • A modern i686 Intel or AMD processor.

Recommended

  • 20 GB of hard disk space, SSD for faster performance.
  • 2 GB of RAM.
  • modern i686 Intel or AMD processor. Multi-core for good performance.
  • 3D-capable video card for 3D desktop support.
  • SoundBlaster, AC97 or HDA-compatible sound card.
  • For use as a LiveUSB, 8 GB free if using persistence.

See also

References
  1. Dolphin Oracle (April 9, 2022). "MX-21.1 "Wildflower" released! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. MX Linux. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  2. Smith, Jesse (January 1, 2018). "MX Linux 17". DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. Copenhagen: distrowatch.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. "About Us – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  4. Igor Ljubuncic (January 16, 2015). "AntiX MX-14.3 review". dedoimedo.com. Dedoimedo. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. Igor Ljubuncic (January 14, 2017). "MX Linux MX-16 Metamorphosis - Winds of change". dedoimedo.com. Dedoimedo. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  6. Smith, Jesse (January 9, 2017). "MX Linux 16". DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD. distrowatch.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. Dolphin Oracle. "MX-16.1 now available – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. "MX-17 released December 15, 2017 – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  9. "MX-18 Continuum Now Available – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  10. "MX-19 "patito feo" released! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  11. Dolphin Oracle (October 21, 2021). "MX-21 "Wildflower" released! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. MX Linux. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  12. "MX-21 "Wildflower" released!". mxlinux.org. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  13. "MX-19.4 now available! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  14. "Download Links – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  15. Jesse Smith. "DistroWatch.com: MX Linux". distrowatch.com. Atea Ataroa Limited. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  16. "New "Advanced Hardware Support" Repo (ahs for short) – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  17. Dolphin Oracle (November 22, 2021). "MX-21 "AHS" iso now available – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. MXLinux. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  18. Dolphin Oracle (October 21, 2021). "MX-21 "Wildflower" released! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. MXLinux. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  19. Dolphin Oracle (March 31, 2021). "MX-19.4 now available! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org blog. mxlinux.org. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  20. Dolphin Oracle (June 1, 2020). "MX-19.2 now available! – MX Linux". mxlinux.org. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  21. Linuxed (April 10, 2014). "antiX MX-14 "Symbiosis" Review: Truly Special!". mylinuxexplore.blogspot.com. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  22. MX Linux Developers (October 10, 2021). "Tools To Make Common Tasks Easier". Current Release Features – MX Linux. mxlinux.org. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
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