AntiX 19

antiX 19, with code name Marielle Franco, was released on October 17, 2019, and is based on Debian 10 (code name buster). As the previous version antiX 17, it is a systemd-free Linux based Operating System for 32 and 64 bit Intel-AMD x86 compatible architectures. It shiped with 4.9.XXX kernels for good compatibility with older machines (the 32 bit system released used a non-pae kernel for better compatibility, but pae kernels are available to be installed).

For this release, apart from the official sysvinit release, a new version running runit was released. Also during the release cycle of antiX 19, a version with newer kernels (4.19.XXX) was anounced to support newer computers that could not boot with the older 4.9.XXX kernels.

Editions
As with previous versions, four editions were released


 * antiX-full (c1.1GB) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm plus full libreoffice suite.
 * antiX-base (c700MB so fits on a cd) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm.
 * antiX-core (c350MB) – no X, but should support most wireless.
 * antiX-net (c200MB)- no X. Just enough to get you connected (wired) and ready to build.

Changes from antiX 17
Apart from the change in the Debian release (antiX 19 is based on Debian 10), other big changes took place.

Boot options

 * The live system now boots with a informative text-based boot splash (splasht) that displays the boot steps as they load, and replace the "cascading text" look (live only, for now). (thanks BitJam)
 * Live grub rescue options (thanks to fehlix). You can now switch between Grub and Syslinux when you boot the live system in "legacy mode”.
 * Persistence sizes increased and the persist menu F5 now includes p_static_root and f_static_root (thanks BitJam)
 * improved support for frugal installations on ntfs devices
 * Updated video configurations via vcard boot code (F4).
 * “safe” video boot mode from live boot menus should get to X when all else fails.

Appearance changes
antiX full and base editions have experienced a facelift. Still using the same Window Managers, but has a more modern and flat appearance.


 * new wallpaper artwork


 * arc-evopro2 GTK theme
 * More up to date look via a ‘new’ icon theme papirus-antix (numix-square is also included).
 * Revision of some themes for icewm, fluxbox and jwm.

Network changes
connman replaces wicd and is the default network manager on full and base editions. The connman gui is included in the startup file, but not enabled (to keep RAM usage down).

Because of conflicts, ceni is only included in core and net editions (this conflict was solved in recent revisions of antiX 19).

Other changes

 * eudev (3.2.8) instead of systemd-udev


 * Ships with the very latest IceWM (1.5.5), herbstluftwm (0.7.2-1) and gnome-mpv (0.16-1)
 * Using the 4.9.193 kernel (with fbcondecor splash). Latest 4.19.73 and 5.2.15 kernel versions easily installable.
 * libpam-elogind-compat included (Thanks to the folks at Debian-init-diversity)
 * roxterm replaces lxterminal
 * various yad additions provided by community members eg yad-calendar
 * various IceWM additions provided by community members eg icewm-toolbar-icon-manager.sh
 * Time-saver and assembly line installer changes (thanks to AK-47)
 * chroot-rescue added (thanks to BitJam). These programs are meant to supplement the fehlix live rescue system. The main thing is, these allow you to get into a system even if its initrd.img is broken. It also let’s you get into multiple systems without rebooting.
 * isomount options (thanks BitJam). These programs are intended mainly for the command line. They make it extremely easy to examine antiX and MX iso file as well as iso files from many other distros.
 * Various rox-filer right-click additions
 * screenlight included (thanks to SamK)
 * virtualbox-guest apps
 * synaptic without zenity dependency
 * gksu and gexec included/updated (thanks to skidoo)
 * Set Date & Time, to make clock setting chores easier (available from the Control Centre)

New live boot parameters
BitJam has included new boot parameters and persistence options, as seen below

Included in antiX 19 Base and Full versions
General apps:


 * Browsers: firefox-esr (60.9.0esr-1),
 * Email client: claws-mail (3.17.3-2)
 * Video players:
 * gnome-mpv – general video player
 * smtube and mps-tube – play youtube videos without a using a browser
 * streamlight-antix – stream videos with very low RAM usage.
 * Audio player: xmms
 * PDF reader: qpdfview

File managers and desktop


 * spacefm
 * rox-filer

Window managers


 * icewm
 * fluxbox
 * jwm
 * herbstluftwm

Audio and Video converters


 * winff
 * asunder

Connect to the net with


 * connman – *NEW* default on full and base editions
 * gnome-ppp – for those still on dial-up
 * ceni – default for core and net editions

Editors


 * geany
 * leafpad
 * Midnight Commander
 * vim-tiny
 * nano

Tools for remastering and creating snapshots of installed system


 * iso-snapshot
 * remaster tools

General tools (found in Control Centre):


 * antiX Control Centre – an easy way to do just about anything
 * package-installer – install applications easily and safely
 * Boot repair
 * Codecs installer
 * Network Assistant
 * User Manager – for creating users, changing passwords, adding users to groups, etc.
 * ddm-mx – install nvidia drivers
 * Repo Manager – choose your mirrors for faster downloading
 * Set Date & Time, to make clock setting chores easier
 * formatusb, for formatting usb storage devices

CLI apps


 * Editors: nano and vim
 * Newsreader: newsboat
 * Chat: irssi
 * Audio player: mocp
 * Radio: pmrp
 * Video player: mpv
 * Youtube video: mps-youtube
 * Audio ripper: abcde
 * Torrent: rtorrent
 * Cd burner: cdw
 * Writer: Wordgrinder
 * cli-aptiX – command line synaptics
 * live-kernel-updater – update kernel when running live
 * backlight-brightness – useful tool for controlling brightness in laptops
 * antiX-cli-cc – command line control centre

Cool in-house antiX apps available in the repos:


 * 1-to-1-voice-antix – Voice chat between two pcs via encrypted mumble
 * 1-to-1-assistance-antix – Remote access help application
 * ssh-conduit – Remote resources via a ssh encrypted connection

Others


 * hexchat – gui chat
 * uckybackup – excellent backup tool. There’s nothing lucky about it!
 * simple-scan – for scanning documents
 * transmission-gtk – torrent downloader
 * wingrid-antix – turn the stacking window managers into tilers.
 * Xfburn for burning cd/dvd
 * connectshares-antix for network shares
 * droopy-antix – an easy way to transfer files over the net.
 * mirage – image viewer
 * streamtuner2 – listen to streaming radio
 * cherrytree – note taking application
 * lxkeymap – gui to set system localization
 * fskbsetting – gui to set live localization

Only in antiX 19 Full

 * libreoffice (6.1.5-3)
 * synaptic package manager - manage your packages and easily install, remove, pin packages.
 * cups for printing
 * bluetooth service (bluez and blueman)
 * gdebi – gui tool to install .deb files (full versions only)

Point Releases
Every point release brings updates, bug-fixes and sometimes new applications. All these will be available from the original release (by apt upgrading), so there is no need to reinstall antiX with the new point release, as you will receive the fixes as updates.

Below you will see all point released to date:

antiX 19.1
Released December 23, 2019, this edition contained mainly bug fixes. The net and core installs did not include the kernel headers for this release.

Changes:


 * 4.9.200 kernel
 * firefox-esr (68.3.0esr-1)
 * IceWM upgraded to latest upstream version (1.6.3)
 * elogind upgrade to 241.3
 * feh without yudit dependency
 * tomb version 2.7
 * disk-manager included
 * ceni network manager included again, but connman is running by default
 * various security upgrades
 * no kernel headers for core and net versions.

antiX 19.2 Hannie Schaft
antiX 19.2 codename Hannie Schaft was released on March 28, 2020, and included various bug-fixes, updates and improvements. This version was released also with runit, for both 64 and 32 bits x86 machines.

Because of a small bug with connman in the Base version (that was fixed immediately after the iso upload), the version number was changed to 19.2.1, to give preference to the newer one with the bug fix.

Releases are:


 * antiX-full 19.2 (c1.1GB) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm plus full libreoffice suite.
 * antiX-base 19.2.1 (c700MB so fits on a cd) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm.
 * antiX-core 19.2 (c350MB) – no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption, but should support most wireless.
 * antiX-net 19.2 (c140MB)- no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption. Just enough to get you connected (wired) and ready to build.

Changes:


 * We believe we have fixed the issue when running (g)ufw firewall
 * apt-notifier included and enabled on full versions for those who prefer update notifications
 * Tray icon manager for IceWM
 * Improved and updated localization
 * Improved cli-installer – more ‘safety’ checks added
 * nosystemd repo added to antix.list sources
 * Debian buster-backports repository enabled
 * mps-youtube includes fix for apt_key bug
 * A newer 4.9.212 kernel
 * firefox-esr (68.6.0esr)
 * libreoffice 6.4.1 (for Full edition)
 * IceWM upgraded to latest upstream version (1.6.5)
 * fluxbox upgraded to 1.3.7 (ported from debian experimental)
 * mtpaint upgraded to version 3.49
 * runit backported from Debian sid
 * links(2) cli browser to latest upstream version (2.20.2)
 * eudev (3.2.9) instead of systemd-udev
 * elogind upgrade to 243.7
 * consolekit2 available
 * ceni network manager included, but connman is default on full and base
 * latest cherrytree (0.3.9) hierarchical note taking application
 * various upstream Debian security upgrades

antiX 19.3 Manolis Glezos
antiX 19.3 codename Manolis Glezos was released on October 16, 2020, including some new apps, bug fixes and updates for both SysVinit and runit init releases. Images were released for both i386 (32 bits) and amd64 (64 bits) architectures.

It is noteworthy to point out that the Base release no longer fits inside a 700MB CD. This was necessary as it made it very difficult for the developers to decide what packages needed to be sacrificed to fit inside a CD and would lead to a very broken Base release.

This new version included a heavier 4.9 kernel to support a wider range of machines.

Releases are:


 * antiX-full (c1.2GB) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm plus full libreoffice suite.
 * antiX-base (c770MB no longer fits on a cd) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm.
 * antiX-core (c470MB) – no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption, but should support most wireless.
 * antiX-net (c170MB)- no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption. Just enough to get you connected (wired) and ready to build.

Changes:


 * antiX wifi switch – tool to choose which wifi manager to use. Default is connman, ceni available (included in antix-goodies package.
 * Improved and updated localization
 * mps-youtube includes another fix for apt_key bug
 * A newer 4.9.235 kernel
 * firefox-esr (78.3.0esr)
 * libreoffice 7.0.2.2 (for Full edition)
 * IceWM upgraded to latest upstream version (1.8.3)
 * latest firmware backported from Debian sid.
 * various upstream Debian security upgrades

antiX 19.4 Grup Yorum
antiX 19.4 codename Grup Yorum was released on May 21, 2021, including some new apps, bug fixes and updates for both SysVinit and runit init releases. Images were released for both i386 (32 bits) and amd64 (64 bits) architectures.

It is noteworthy to point out that the Base release again fits inside a 700MB CD (it didn't in the previous release). The default browser was changed to Seamonkey and many packages were removed to achieve the desired ISO size reduction.

Releases are:


 * antiX-full (c1.2GB) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm plus full libreoffice suite.
 * antiX-base (<700MB – fits on a cd) – 4 windows managers – IceWM (default), fluxbox, jwm and herbstluftwm.
 * antiX-core (c400MB) – no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption, but should support most wireless.
 * antiX-net (c165MB)- no X, cli-installer without UEFI support nor encryption. Just enough to get you connected (wired) and ready to build.

Note: runit editions are set up the Debian way, which is different from Void linux and Artix. Future runit editions will be more similar to the Void/Artix way.

Changes:


 * more options in the installer
 * SeaMonkey browser included on full and base editions
 * mps-tube removed (it seems to be broken)
 * ytfzf included. It opens/downloads YouTube clips using mpv/youtube-dl
 * improved and updated localisation
 * newer 4.9.0-264 kernel
 * firefox-esr (78.10.0esr)
 * libreoffice 7.0.4~rc2
 * IceWM upgraded to latest upstream version (2.3.4)
 * latest firmware backported from Debian sid.
 * various upstream Debian security upgrades
 * base edition fits on a cd
 * iso-snashot-cli replaces iso-snapshot (gui) on base edition
 * removed Package Installer from base edition
 * removed smtube from base edition
 * removed virtualbox-guest apps from base
 * frugal install to encrypted partition supported

BUGS: The runit edition has some post-installation issues related to service management. On June 1st a fix was proposed and published on the antiX Linux website.

antiX 19 runit Releases
For the first time, the antiX Linux developers are supporting another init system besides SysVinit. The first runit based antiX 19 edition was released December 9, 2019, initially as an experiment, only for antiX 19 base edition.

Though it will not replace the current SysVinit editions, this version of antiX Linux has been welcomed with open arms by the community who search for an even faster system, and has become a sought out edition for each new release. The acceptance has been so great that the developers also release the runit edition with every official new point release, and testing and sid editions.

First antiX 19 runit experimental release
The first antiX 19 runit experimental edition was a striped down version of antiX 19 base that contained only icewm and no other window manager (even the default desktop session was plain icewm with no Desktop icon manager) and the only file manager was ROX filer (no spacefm). It was released for 32 and 64 bit systems and had the following characteristics:


 * Default kernel is 4.9.200
 * live iso built using lz4 compression, which means a faster boot, but larger iso file size.
 * uses ceni for networking – no connman installed
 * there are bugs especially when running live e.g. on boot you will see some sequence of green ‘OK’s and reboot will actually shutdown the computer.
 * synaptic is not installed (the same as with antiX 19 base)

antiX 19.2 Hannie Shaft runit
This was the first antiX runit edition that was released at the same time as the main SysVinit release. It came with the exact same bug-fixes, updates and improvements as reported for antiX 19.2 main release.

Special Releases
Though not explored in this articles, the developers also release antiX Linux based on Debian Testing and Debian Sid. antiX 19 also had such special releases.

Also, for the first time, antiX supported officially two kernel versions for the same antiX version release. The new edition including Linux kernel 4.19.XXX, and was aimed at users with a newer machine that could only boot with newer kernels. This release solved most "I cannot boot" problems reported using computers released in the last 5 years.

antiX 19.1 Sid
Released on December 19, 2019, only Core and Net releases, both sysVinit and runit editions. Editions:


 * antiX-core (c350MB) sysVinit and runit versions – no X, but should support most wireless. This version also includes elogind and dbus-x11.
 * antiX-net (c180MB) sysVinit and runit versions – no X. Just enough to get you connected (wired only) and ready to build.

Characteristics:


 * Based on Debian sid
 * runit or sysVinit
 * eudev (3.2.8) instead of systemd-udev
 * Customised 5.2.21 kernel with fbcondecor splash
 * antiX remaster and persistence tools
 * live-kernel-updater
 * cli-aptiX – a cli package installer
 * antiX-cli-cc – cli control centre
 * live-usb-maker
 * basic cli installer
 * no UEFI install option

antiX 19.2 Sid
antiX 19.2 sid edition was released on March 29, 2020, only Core and Net releases, both sysVinit and runit editions. Editions:


 * antiX-core (c400MB) sysVinit and runit versions – no X, but should support most wireless. Core versions also include elogind and dbus-x11.
 * antiX-net (c180MB) sysVinit and runit versions – no X. Just enough to get you connected (wired only) and ready to build.

Characteristics:


 * Based on Debian sid
 * runit or sysVinit as init
 * eudev (3.2.9) instead of systemd-udev
 * Customised 5.5.0 kernel with fbcondecor splash
 * antiX remaster and persistence tools
 * live-kernel-updater
 * cli-aptiX – a cli package installer
 * antiX-cli-cc – cli control centre
 * live-usb-maker
 * basic cli installler
 * no UEFI install option
 * no encryption option
 * cannot install to emmc, nvme