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 runnit was realeased. 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.

Apearance changes
antiX full and base editions have experienced a facelift. Still using the same window managers, but has a more modern and flat apearance.


 * 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 persistance 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


 * Bootrepair
 * 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 – usefull tool for 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 an 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 localisation
 * fskbsetting – gui to set live localisation

Only in antiX 19 Full

 * libreoffice (6.1.5-3)
 * cups for printing
 * gdebi – gui tool to install .deb files (full versions only)