MX Linux Forum

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 am**

If you have some demands or wishes for MX25 Xfce just write about them below.
You don't have to think about the priority list.
I will be helpful and make that and edit it along the way for the developers so they can see it here in the first post instead of wasting their time reading the whole subject.
No, don't trust me too much about this. lol

And no, I don't think I am going to put safeboot on the list this year.
It is not that I am much against it, I just don't understand the big need for it.
Maybe I am wrong, and someone will tell me about it.?

Temporary priority list:
----------------

1: Request about default automatic inclusion of the directory "bin" in PATH

2: Bigger bars and bigger buttons option for Firefox window

3: Look at Firefox default settings, and make them safer and more private.

----------------

This far I guess it is all small or not very huge things that might already partly have been taken care of.

So let me try a little math.... we had 10GWh and spent four too soon on problems and bugs and missing backward compatibility (very scary) in software from other vendors. And a little more here and there, and two more on some basic important stuff...
Since we saved 3GWh by waiting with safeboot we have about 2GWh developer power left for the "cream" to put on MX25

How are we going to spend them.? :-)

Maybe we don't need them because the fantastic wallpapers this year will save it all. ;-)

Yes, I know.. we can't do math like that.. and the numbers are pure fiction.
There is still a small truth to it somewhere but the amount of "GWh" is a variable, and if we want it to grow in order to make MX better, then it is a lot about making some more developers even more MX-hooked on doing even more magic and good follow ups.
So therefore I mostly want to ask what we can find that can be both great for the users and at the same time turn on some developers.?

There is always something exiting going on about MX-tools, and maybe they don't have a deadline before MX25 because they can be rolled out at any time but who don't always want a good chat discussion about MX-Tools.? ;-)

If you have two USB devices, and you reboot, they might switch places in the record.
There is a fix for that I haven't digged into yet but maybe someone has an idea about if it will be easy or hard to make a tool that can somehow do the job smart.?

Or how about a tool that can make it possible for "at" to connect to Wi-fi.?
I guess I can make a script that can do that, so it is not much of a challenge but maybe it is still a good little hack to have somewhere in MX-Tweak.

And how about working on implementing more home automation ready for use in MX.?
One peace of hardware at a time. It sounds like a big job but maybe I already have the only one that exits. lol

I wish everybody an informing infinite chat full of good talk about MX-Linux.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:52 am**

@Jakob77 wrote:

If you have some demands or wishes for MX25 Xfce just write about them below.

You should change 'demands' to requests. Anybody who is not on the development team is in no position to make demands.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 12:05 pm**

If even 1% of forum members responded to this, it would be completely unmanageable. One person's 'demand' would be a change that another user would not want.

Complex things can't be successfully created by a large committee. If you want an example of how such an enterprise might fail, read the account of the British airship R101.

The small team MX Linux has is just right, and we must respect how they create MX-25.

Chris

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 12:18 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 am
Temporary priority list:
----------------

1: Request about default automatic inclusion of the directory "bin" in PATH

Isn't yours included already? This is my default $PATH in fluxbox.

Code: Select all

╔═[siamhie@flux23]═[09:12 02/06/25]═══════════════════════════════════════[~]
╚═> echo $PATH
/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games:/sbin:/usr/sbin

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 12:20 pm**

I just want it to be a great release like the other releases have been.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 2:42 pm**

siamhie

Than you for asking.
There is more to it. You can see the request about PATH here:
viewtopic.php?t=75245

I am already using it and I have a "~/bin" directory so my PATH goes like this:

Code: Select all

/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games:/home/my-username/bin

Germ

That's cool. :-)

chrispop99

Don't worry... not many will notice and they will all be nice and cool like Germ.
I hope we avoid a big fight about something not to be done but more just can pick up some inspiration, information and good ideas.

j2mcgreg

Right. The developers are not to be treated like suppliers but more like Santas.
So that makes it easy to reject most demands and gives you the upper hand if it happens.
I just don't believe anyone will fall into that trap, and if they would, I guess you have prevented it now. :-)

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 3:22 pm**

3: Look at Firefox default settings, and make them safer and more private.

I don't like that one myself, and I wonder if we can find a good shortcut.

First and foremost the browser settings are the users own responsibility.
How about help that makes that absolutely clear for all users the first time they open Firefox after installing MX.
And again along with an update if it or something else might have messed with the local settings.
The warning can then also recommend some safety settings or at least inform a little about common community practice.
Could that perhaps be a good way to go to calibrate the users expectations.?

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 3:43 pm**

Two considerations about ~/bin in PATH

While adding ~/bin is generally safe, consider the security implications, especially if you plan to execute scripts or binaries from it that might be modified by others or by malware.
The ~/.local/bin directory is often preferred by the XDG directory specification.

We'll probably not do that by default, I think users need to know what they are doing.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:04 pm**

Adrian wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 3:43 pm Two considerations about ~/bin in PATH
While adding ~/bin is generally safe, consider the security implications, especially if you plan to execute scripts or binaries from it that might be modified by others or by malware.
The ~/.local/bin directory is often preferred by the XDG directory specification.
We'll probably not do that by default, I think users need to know what they are doing.

$HOME/bin, or just the $HOME/.local/bin?

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:14 pm**

I would say we should not do either, if users want things to be launched directly from ~/bin or ~/.local/bin they should add that to their PATH so they should be aware when they type something in the command prompt it might be launched from there and not from /usr/bin as it would normally happen.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:19 pm**

Adrian wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:14 pm I would say we should not do either, if users want things to be launched directly from ~/bin or ~/.local/bin they should add that to their PATH so they should be aware when they type something in the command prompt it might be launched from there and not from /usr/bin as it would normally happen.

+1

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:49 pm**

Adrian wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:14 pm I would say we should not do either, if users want things to be launched directly from ~/bin or ~/.local/bin they should add that to their PATH so they should be aware when they type something in the command prompt it might be launched from there and not from /usr/bin as it would normally happen.

+1 also

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 4:58 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 am If you have two USB devices, and you reboot, they might switch places in the record.
There is a fix for that I haven't digged into yet but maybe someone has an idea about if it will be easy or hard to make a tool that can somehow do the job smart.?

Users have 2 choices here.

1) If they desire legacy nomenclature, they can go back to MX-16 where their desires will be largely met, though even then, the writing was on the wall ....
or

2) get with the program and realise those days are long done. Use a combination of partition labels for your mount points and use the partition UUID as the identifier when you write the entries into fstab. This is VERY easy to do and they only have to exist in fstab for them to always get the same mount point, they do not have to be available at boot and they do not have to be auto-mounted.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 5:32 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 amSo let me try a little math.... we had 10GWh and spent four too soon on problems and bugs and missing backward compatibility (very scary) in software from other vendors. And a little more here and there, and two more on some basic important stuff...
Since we saved 3GWh by waiting with safeboot we have about 2GWh developer power left for the "cream" to put on MX25

Where are you pulling these numbers from, exactly? I didn't know that MX Linux was a nuclear power plant.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 5:47 pm**

There coming from where the sun doesn't shine

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:20 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 2:42 pm siamhie

Than you for asking.
There is more to it. You can see the request about PATH here:
viewtopic.php?t=75245

I am already using it and I have a "~/bin" directory so my PATH goes like this:
Code: Select all
/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games:/home/my-username/bin

@Jakob77 Why don't you just use /usr/local/bin for your scripts/binaries?

/usr/local/bin
Binaries for programs local to the site.

https://www.baeldung.com/linux/differen ... -usr-local

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:47 pm**

Adrian

Thank you for your response. :-)
About PATH I will prefer both to none...... so here we stand. lol
I can't imagine who would create the directory "~/bin" and put executable files in there and run them by name in Terminal... all by accident.
I don't have "~/.local/bin" and I hardly backup the folder "~/.local"
I enjoy easy access to my scripts in "~/bin"

About executing the wrong files because the user is a fool and use a script filename that is the same as another more important program....
The cure for that seems easy if we just do it right (not like Mint did) and put "~/bin" in the end of PATH

Like this:

/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/games:/usr/games:/home/my_username/bin

Right.? :-)

However when you write about spooky things maybe it would be a good idea to make the permissions tighter for "~/bin"
It is very close now that I suggest it is just made in advance.

m_pav

Thank you.
So it is too complicated or not possible to make an easy going tool for it.?

AK-47

I wrote "pure fiction" but take a look at your avatar. lol

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 7:34 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:47 pm Adrian

Thank you for your response. :-)
About PATH I will prefer both to none...... so here we stand. lol

@Jakob77 Then add this to the end of your .bashrc file.

Bob's your uncle

Code: Select all

# set PATH so it includes user's private bin if it exists
if [ -d "$HOME/bin" ] ; then
    PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
fi

# set PATH so it includes user's private bin if it exists
if [ -d "$HOME/.local/bin" ] ; then
    PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
fi

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 8:50 pm**

siamhie

I don't know Bob but If you dig in deeper I believe you will see that it is not a satisfying solution because it will not include a functional PATH for launchers on the Xfce Desktop.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:06 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 8:50 pm siamhie

I don't know Bob

It's a phrase.

"Bob's your uncle" is an idiom commonly used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries that means "and there it is", or "and there you have it", or "it's done".
Typically, someone says it to conclude a set of simple instructions or when a result is reached.

but If you dig in deeper I believe you will see that it is not a satisfying solution because it will not include a functional PATH for launchers on the Xfce Desktop.

I'm not on XFCE, so give me an example of the path for the executable.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:43 pm**

Good evening everyone,

Interesting topic. First of all, I gave up distro hopping a few years back because I descovered MX Linux and I have been an avid user since.
What would I suggest for MX 25 ? Hmmmmm. Here's a thought. Last week I read a posting on another Linux website where the person posting the question was inquiring why Linux OS isn't more popular that Apple or MS Win. The reply came back that Linux in it's current form can't compete because:

1. There are too many Linux distributions out there and it's difficult for someone to know which one to pick or even how to get started.
2. A new user won't know how to configure their system / desktop because of so many choices.
3. A new user might not know where to go to get help, let alone type anything into a command line.
4. The Linux desktop will never go mainstream because people who buy a PC / Laptop will want to boot it up and start working. They just want it too work.

With that in mind, perhaps MX Linux 25 could somehow have one edition especially for newbies where everything just worked out of the box. The right office, multimedia, netwoking software to get them started. There are a lot of other distros that hype that premise, but the real truth is that with so many different PC's and laptops, it's difficult to keep up with required software.

Perhaps MX Linux can go mainstream with their own PC or laptop with MX Linux pre-installed. That way, you control the software and hardware and make sure everything just works when you boot it up.

Hey, I can dream can't I ? If people only knew what they were missing.

Posted: **Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:57 pm**

txm0523 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:43 pm With that in mind, perhaps MX Linux 25 could somehow have one edition especially for newbies where everything just worked out of the box. The right office, multimedia, netwoking software to get them started.

That sounds like what MX Linux already delivers. Even the live session from the ISO is fully functional and can be used to Get Stuff Done without requiring an install or post-install configuration steps. It may not include WINE or Steam or your favorite e-reader but these aren't things a majority of folks may want to have and it's easy enough to add them on your own. Linux isn't right for everyone and I know a lot of Linux fans have trouble accepting that, or appreciating that when you try to make your distro accessible to everyone, you end up making it ideal for no one.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:21 am**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:47 pm So it is too complicated or not possible to make an easy going tool for it.?

There's no point in recreating the wheel

IIRC, Disk Manager comes preloaded in Xfce up to MX-23, which serves that very function. When run, it backs up the existing fstab & writes a new one with a format type I simply do not like because that part of me is still old-school, and I like to annotate my changes to important files, which are lost if I use the DM created fstab. Where DM helps a lot is it provides a means to avoid PEBCAK human typo errors which can cause a halted machine at boot, not nice when you don't expect it.

When I use DiskManager to add a new partition or external USB device to fstab, I take only the line it adds pertaining to the newly added device, edit it to use my preferred mount point, then write that line back into the original fstab, add my annotations and reinstate it. This of course means I need to either keep the DM created fstab as a backup, or remove it altogether.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 5:26 am**

would love to experience a slightly more improved mecanics against focus stealing, so that when i am opening
Whisker menu for something while FF starting, the menu stays open

( safeboot: maybe an enhancement against tampered copies? )

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 8:21 am**

txm0523

Thank you for some good input. :-)

I can share a lot of your thoughts but if you can take it that far I will faint. lol
And what is too many choices for one is just a wonderful lot of options for another.
And the blame game can start already by the first program. Hey, why did you choose THAT editor..????!!... and so on. If they ever get further. lol

You and I also still have other options than just waiting for more software to be put into MX-install that will make the install slower and take up more disk space.

We can just go heavy and make a respin. MX has provided us with all the magic tools for it.
And that is where the subject moves from being a matter for the developers to be completely under the users control.
There all wild dreams can be put on a test. :-)

And beside that the developers has made other tools that helps making it easy to share some configuration fragments.
I have not seen a user group taking it up yet but with just 20Kb space you can share a pretty big Xfce Panel.
It is so easy to do the backup and restore in MX-Tweak. And the backup files in "~/.restore" we can just copy from one user to another.
There is also a new MX tool "User installed packages" where you can pull out a list of all your programs and edit it for an other user who can use it for restore.

So the conclusion I reached is that if something has to be changed in the MX-install it will hardly ever be easy and you have to have a really good case like I strongly believe I have with PATH for user scripts in Xfce.
It can from my point of view not be true that it has to be a difficult confusing task for new users to generate a full functional PATH for user scripts in Xfce. When I was looking for help the problem was not even understood. I can see he has forgotten about it but if it had not been for the good CharlesV's patience I don't think it would ever have been solved. And that would have been a shame since it is very easy to do it right if you just know how.
If the right change is put into MX-Install Xfce the confusion and dysfunctionality about PATH for user scripts can come to an end. That is why I think it is worth bringing it to the developers attention.

---

Preparing a PATH in Xfce for user scripts is one thing.
That can be hard enough and too much to hope for.

So I know it is really taking it over the top if I also suggest to create a directory and a file.

However what would you say if a developer wrote this for your information:

When you have installed MX25 Xfce one of the small new changes is a user script prepared directory:

"~/bin-prepared"

It is prepared with suitable permissions and has a "readme.txt" file inside it with this content:

Dear MX user

This MX25 text file from "~/bin-prepared" is just for information about the directory.

"~/bin-prepared" is a directory MX has prepared for your not supported private scripts that you want it to be easy to execute.

If you after install choose to rename "~/bin-prepared" to "~/bin", then it will automatically be included in PATH after next reboot.

That means you will be able to execute your scripts from launchers and anywhere in Terminal.

If you don't want the directory anyway, you can just delete it. There will be zero implications. If there is no "~/bin" it will not be included in PATH, and it will be automatically excluded from PATH during next boot up.

If you are a newbie but want to know more about scripting in MX then you can ...bla.. bla.. etc.

Think about it. :-)

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:21 am**

@Jakob77 I have not forgotten about helping you. However, I do *not* believe the that should be a 'default' either.

As you have so quickly disregarded... there is a security issue right here and your little 'default path' means that it would be easier for someone to compromise the system. If *you* are not concerned with that then have at it, but I have to vote no for a default path there.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:24 am**

I particularly hope they continue with XFCE and Fluxbox, as well as Sysvinit and X11.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:34 am**

Gabriel_M wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:24 am I particularly hope they continue with XFCE and Fluxbox, as well as Sysvinit and X11.

Yes , systemd, sysvinit, and why not some more runit, s66, like antiX.

And Don't forget than the fundamental changes must be asked to debian, and it is too late for MX25 ... Mx is a derivative of debian.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:36 pm**

CharlesV wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:21 am @Jakob77 I have not forgotten about helping you. However, I do *not* believe the that should be a 'default' either.

As you have so quickly disregarded... there is a security issue right here and your little 'default path' means that it would be easier for someone to compromise the system. If *you* are not concerned with that then have at it, but I have to vote no for a default path there.

+1

I prefer to use /usr/local for things like that.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 3:17 pm**

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:20 pm**

Gabriel_M wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:24 am I particularly hope they continue with XFCE and Fluxbox, as well as Sysvinit and X11.

Hi, I agree wholeheartedly but I'm also thankful that the Live system now supports both systemd and sysvinit so Live ISO's can be made to suit all DE's with whatever init system best supports them instead of systemd only being an option post-install. I also don't think X11 will be in any immediate danger within Debian, certainly not in Trixie and not very likely whatever is next which is getting us several years down the road.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:27 pm**

@Jakob77 There is this thing in many industries called "Best Practices" and it's there for good reason.

The thing you request goes directly against Best Practices in 2 ways.
1) You're asking us to add a known vulnerability into our builds with the /usr/bin path entry, that would become a point of crucifixion towards our good name.
2) Your'e suggesting we add stuff to the default user folders set by the Xfce devs which complies with industry standards. To do this would be to invite ongoing insult and angst from the Linux community, reviewers and like, so like the former, it ain't gonna happen.

You can do whatever you like with your system, you have the power to do so and if you're so inclined, make your own respin for public release, but realise there are requirements of doing such, like becoming the primary support agent for your own respin and calling it by a name that is not MX Linux. However, to do so would be to quickly invite unhappy returns on your work for the 2 reasons above.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 8:08 pm**

txm0523 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 11:43 pm With that in mind, perhaps MX Linux 25 could somehow have one edition especially for newbies where everything just worked out of the box. The right office, multimedia, netwoking software to get them started. There are a lot of other distros that hype that premise, but the real truth is that with so many different PC's and laptops, it's difficult to keep up with required software.

I couldn't let this go without commenting.

This is exactly what MX provides already. I've set up several Linux installs for people, and they are essentially untouched, OOTB installs. People just dive right in and I never hear from them again.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 8:27 pm**

Quoth @uncle mark :

This is exactly what MX provides already. I've set up several Linux installs for people, and they are essentially untouched, OOTB installs.

+1

Mike

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:46 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 am If you have some demands or wishes for MX25 Xfce just write about them below.

My wishes are for better usability for Linux in general.

change defaults:
* xfce horizontal task bar, not vertical
* double-click as default, not single-click
* remove all forms of transparency as default
* Search Menu box on the bottom by default
* Conky disabled by default. I still remember how difficult this was to disable when first trying MX Linux. No easy mouse-driven way to disable it, so it took me ages (days) before I found out what it was called, and then I finally disabled it. Useless for people who just want to use their computers, which is most of us.
* allow me to uncheck the Time server without it being re-enabled
* allow users to choose solid-colour backgrounds (wallpaper) in a sane way. I cannot believe how crazy it currently is.
* prevent MX Cleanup from deleting shortcuts that I have created to my apps. It took me some time to find out it was doing this.
* having to change ownership of a DATA partition that users create during MX Setup in order to use it properly is very unfriendly. A separate GUI utility should be offered for this, if the whole Permissions problem can't be eliminated.
* system-wide thicker scrollbars
* eliminate the 'requires-extreme-precision-to-resize-a-window' problem by default
* yellow folders by default
* mounting drives and partitions properly (not seeing those light grey icons that you have to click on before they are properly available) was an issue for me
* easy mouse-driven way to change Date & Time (and many other Settings) by clicking on them! (which has been available on other OSs for eternity)
* make appearance / settings changes far more cohesive and user-friendly by taking some of those MX Tweak items and other settings and placing them where it makes more sense & can easily be searched
* make the complete elimination of MX Linux desktop wallpaper far more user-friendly, including those brief unwanted flashes of MX Linux wallpaper that occur when the machine starts up, before it loads your own

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:57 pm**

user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:46 pm My wishes are for better usability for Linux in general.

change defaults:
[snip 16 gripes]

I don't think Xfce is the right DE for you.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:03 pm**

DukeComposed wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:57 pm
user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:46 pm My wishes are for better usability for Linux in general.

change defaults:
[snip 16 gripes]
I don't think Xfce is the right DE for you.

It is. It is fast, which I enjoy. Better defaults needed.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:07 pm**

user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:03 pm It is. It is fast, which I enjoy. Better defaults needed.

Other DEs are fast, too, and don't contain a bunch of things you seem not to like about them.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:21 pm**

DukeComposed wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:07 pm
user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:03 pm It is. It is fast, which I enjoy. Better defaults needed.
Other DEs are fast, too, and don't contain a bunch of things you seem not to like about them.

I have tried several. Thanks so much for your 'concern'...

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:20 pm**

user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 9:46 pm
Jakob77 wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 10:59 am If you have some demands or wishes for MX25 Xfce just write about them below.
My wishes are for better usability for Linux in general.

change defaults:
* xfce horizontal task bar, not vertical
* double-click as default, not single-click
* remove all forms of transparency as default
* Search Menu box on the bottom by default
* Conky disabled by default. I still remember how difficult this was to disable when first trying MX Linux. No easy mouse-driven way to disable it, so it took me ages (days) before I found out what it was called, and then I finally disabled it. Useless for people who just want to use their computers, which is most of us.
* allow me to uncheck the Time server without it being re-enabled
* allow users to choose solid-colour backgrounds (wallpaper) in a sane way. I cannot believe how crazy it currently is.
* prevent MX Cleanup from deleting shortcuts that I have created to my apps. It took me some time to find out it was doing this.
* having to change ownership of a DATA partition that users create during MX Setup in order to use it properly is very unfriendly. A separate GUI utility should be offered for this, if the whole Permissions problem can't be eliminated.
* system-wide thicker scrollbars
* eliminate the 'requires-extreme-precision-to-resize-a-window' problem by default
* yellow folders by default
* mounting drives and partitions properly (not seeing those light grey icons that you have to click on before they are properly available) was an issue for me
* easy mouse-driven way to change Date & Time (and many other Settings) by clicking on them! (which has been available on other OSs for eternity)
* make appearance / settings changes far more cohesive and user-friendly by taking some of those MX Tweak items and other settings and placing them where it makes more sense & can easily be searched
* make the complete elimination of MX Linux desktop wallpaper far more user-friendly, including those brief unwanted flashes of MX Linux wallpaper that occur when the machine starts up, before it loads your own

... and 80% of your "wish list" is 100% NOT what I want!!

The beauty of Linux is that you can make it pretty much anything you want.. and change it how YOU like. And remember please.. there are A TON of people out there that like things different from you! Almost ALL of your "wish list" can be done in less than an hour - once you know what your doing.. so .. if you really want to run linux ... learn it and be glad that you CAN make those things work like you want it.

And if XFCE doesnt ring your bell... then KDE or one of the other DE's. But dont change MY default's please!

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:42 pm**

WOW!

When I saw this thread started I figure it would blowup but not to this extent.

I will make my answer to this question as respectful and as easy as I can for the Developers. Can you make MX25 a surprise?

I hope this is not too much to ask and is possible.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:53 pm**

CharlesV wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:20 pm
And if XFCE doesnt ring your bell... then KDE or one of the other DE's. But dont change MY default's please!

I am willing to bet that most of my suggestions will satisfy more users, not less. I am not in a position to change anything; I'm just remembering some of my issues as I was getting used to things. I am well aware that many things can be changed, but the ease at which they can be changed is not ideal...and quite unfriendly compared to those spyware OSs we all know.

As I said, I have tried many other DEs. I am impatient and xfce is fast (and I have gotten used to its quirks).
PS. I almost forgot. I want MX Linux to be able to run flatpak files without doing the mental equivalent of "what is this?" and not being able to run it in the GUI.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:33 am**

user101
You can use the G.U.I. to install Flatpak files by using the MX Package Installer by using the last tab on the right and is the way I do it since I had many bad experiences with using the command line interface.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:35 am**

Mauser wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:33 am You can use the G.U.I. to install Flatpak files by using the MX Package Installer by using the last tab on the right and is the way I do it since I had many bad experiences with using the command line interface.

Yes but I'm talking about ones downloaded from third-party sites outside of the (mostly old) flatpaks offered in MX Linux.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:09 am**

Mauser wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:42 pm WOW! When I saw this thread started I figure it would blowup but not to this extent. I will make my answer to this question as respectful and as easy as I can for the Developers. Can you make MX25 a surprise? I hope this is not too much to ask and is possible.

I'll try and see if they can make the default desktop background neon yellow, after that changing every 10 seconds to a different neon color, no mouse support from the getgo (you have to start that yourself) and without any icons at all to simply tab to, so you have to dig for about 5 minutes while enjoying the colors until you keyboard yourself to the configs.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:25 am**

user101 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:21 pm I have tried several. Thanks so much for your 'concern'...

It's neither concern nor mock concern. You clearly have issue with a lot of fundamental Xfce behaviors and want MX Linux to countermand upstream Xfce decisions to suit your peccadilloes. Keep doubting trying, Etienne. I'd rather you be happy with something fast than miserable with something fast.

CharlesV wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:20 pm The beauty of Linux is that you can make it pretty much anything you want.. and change it how YOU like.

And if XFCE doesnt ring your bell... then KDE or one of the other DE's. But dont change MY default's please!

This is largely my sentiment as well. Most of the vocabulary spent on this thread boils down to "I have a tweak I like and I want to inflict it on everyone else for my convenience". Fortunately the MX dev team isn't a democracy and these sorts of decisions aren't decided by a popularity contest. Personally I like the look and feel of Windows 10 dark mode, and my theme reflects that. Asking "please force everyone else to use the Windows 10 Dark theme for MX-25" is myopic, selfish, and rude. That would be like children writing letters to Santa Claus about what other kids deserve to get for Christmas.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 6:57 am**

Mauser wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:42 pm WOW! When I saw this thread started I figure it would blowup but not to this extent. I will make my answer to this question as respectful and as easy as I can for the Developers. Can you make MX25 a surprise? I hope this is not too much to ask and is possible.

We cannae do that I'm afraid captain! We only have 1.2GWh o' developer power left! We need the power to implement our new Neon Background Seizure Wallpaper security feature!

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 7:13 am**

Sorry, haven't read all this thread, but all I ask is that things like flatpak, be user option to install or not, don't make it default, stick with deb packages only.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 7:42 am**

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS STRANGE THINGS

I love recommending MX Linux to everyone who wants Linux without having to understand how to use a Debian (Remember? Ubuntu is that African word that means I don't know how to install Debian).

The result for a good recipe is to mix ingredients from different origins. I sometimes do it.

I always dream that some distributions would help each other instead of looking at each other from afar, at least with the "special packages"; sometimes I add the repo of MX Linux and SparkyLinux to Debian or Devuan.

The problem is that Aptus from SparkyLinux is very nice, but has a flaw: it turns any distro into a Sparky where it is used, a problem I solved by changing the package dependencies.

What would I like? For MX Linux and SparkyLinux to join forces for the "special packages" and to have a commonly used Aptus between the two distros.

Is that too much?

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:50 am**

Eadwine Rose wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:09 am
Mauser wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:42 pm WOW! When I saw this thread started I figure it would blowup but not to this extent. I will make my answer to this question as respectful and as easy as I can for the Developers. Can you make MX25 a surprise? I hope this is not too much to ask and is possible.
I'll try and see if they can make the default desktop background neon yellow, after that changing every 10 seconds to a different neon color, no mouse support from the getgo (you have to start that yourself) and without any icons at all to simply tab to, so you have to dig for about 5 minutes while enjoying the colors until you keyboard yourself to the configs.

Let's add subliminal messages to every forth picture while were at it.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:51 am**

Good idea!! *goes write*

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:15 pm**

Eadwine Rose wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:09 am
Mauser wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 11:42 pm WOW! When I saw this thread started I figure it would blowup but not to this extent. I will make my answer to this question as respectful and as easy as I can for the Developers. Can you make MX25 a surprise? I hope this is not too much to ask and is possible.
I'll try and see if they can make the default desktop background neon yellow, after that changing every 10 seconds to a different neon color, no mouse support from the getgo (you have to start that yourself) and without any icons at all to simply tab to, so you have to dig for about 5 minutes while enjoying the colors until you keyboard yourself to the configs.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:04 pm**

I'm one of those weirdos - I turn off single-click, set dark with wide borders, and then enable Sync on Firefox. Good to go!

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:10 pm**

vitforlinux

I don't know but it seems very clever to me. :)

user101

My answer to you is almost the same as I gave to txm0523
And congratulation you passed the MX-test. :-)
We only want smart users who are not afraid of doing a little configuration.

* system-wide thicker scrollbars

Oh yes, we have to keep that one.! lol

I don't understand the issue, you wrote about. Do you have a link to the solution.?

CharlesV

Yes, you made me understand the PATH problem was all about the Desktop. :-)
I don't think I have made conclusions about any risks.
I don't see any that we can't defend.

siamhie wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:20 pm
@Jakob77 Why don't you just use /usr/local/bin for your scripts/binaries?

siamhie wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:36 pm I prefer to use /usr/local for things like that.

Can you make up your mind.? lol
Then you have to tell the newbie to log in as superuser just to edit a simple personal script.
And "/usr/local/bin" is in the beginning of PATH increasing the risk Adrian wrote about.
And you can hardly avoid the script will be available for all users on the computer.
I don't think it is good if KDE users hold back Xfce. ;-)

m_pav wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:27 pm 1) You're asking us to add a known vulnerability into our builds with the /usr/bin path entry

No, that is not where I am. On the contrary I try to move the users away from the sudo zone. :-)
And I don't really know what is "known" here. It is not a surprise to me that a user can damage his own system.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:35 pm**

Jakob77 wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:10 pm
siamhie wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:20 pm
@Jakob77 Why don't you just use /usr/local/bin for your scripts/binaries?

siamhie wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:36 pm I prefer to use /usr/local for things like that.
Can you make up your mind.? lol
Then you have to tell the newbie to log in as superuser just to edit a simple personal script.
And "/usr/local/bin" is in the beginning of PATH increasing the risk Adrian wrote about.
And you can hardly avoid the script will be available for all users on the computer.
I don't think it is good if KDE users hold back Xfce. ;-)

@Jakob77 The next time you are going to quote me, make sure to include who I was quoting in response.

This is post #29

siamhie wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:36 pm
CharlesV wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 10:21 am @Jakob77 I have not forgotten about helping you. However, I do *not* believe the that should be a 'default' either.

As you have so quickly disregarded... there is a security issue right here and your little 'default path' means that it would be easier for someone to compromise the system. If *you* are not concerned with that then have at it, but I have to vote no for a default path there.
+1

I prefer to use /usr/local for things like that.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:39 pm**

@Jakob77 wrote:

We only want smart users who are not afraid of doing a little configuration.

I take exception to this statement. You are not 'we'. Any user, regardless of skill level, and who is willing to abide by our rules is welcome here in the forums and in the MX community at large.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:06 pm**

@Jakob77 I suggest creating your own respin and when it is done you can share that.

Continuous posting like this smart users stuff is not helpful on this forum.

You are not part of the team, so you are not going to determine what will happen.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:16 pm**

Just so people know...

The way MX releases are built package by package every little configuration tweak has to be added into the build script and it's folders often requiring specialized edited files to change the defaults or custom made packages that perform the configuration changes when they install. All of these changes have to be tested by building dozens of test ISO's to ensure that they work properly and even on a very fast machine you're looking at about 20 minutes to build a base ISO and if you forget to dot an 'i' or cross a 't' it's back to building again. It takes a LOT of hours to track down the changes in a new Debian platform and then change the build formula and test the ISOs. On top of that are the dozens and dozens of MX Tools, Utilities and Custom Packages that the MX devs are constantly improving and then re-testing on a new Debian platform. Understandably people have no idea how much tedious work these guys do just to get the damned thing to Boot let alone start going down grocery list of single User preferences.

There is enough hair-loss and devil-in-the-details going into the amazing product we already get, some of these extremely minor configuration preferences are unreasonably asking too much to be handled at the build level (IMHO)

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:20 pm**

I would like it to be at least as good as or better than MX-21.3 that I've been using for some time now.
I believe it shall be

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:53 pm**

JmaCWQ wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:20 pm I would like it to be at least as good as or better than MX-21.3 that I've been using for some time now.
I believe it shall be

Hell, I'll be happy if it's as good as the trusty ol' MX 19 KDE I've been using for some five years now.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 4:33 pm**

siamhie

Sorry, I meant no offense.
I just think it is important that the facts about the different options are not being twisted.
I am also sorry you don't use Xfce because you are actually the only one who has shown interest in testing.

j2mcgreg

Yes, you are completely right.

Eadwine Rose

No, I am not going to determine anything about news in MX25 and yes I can make a respin or maybe something a lot smarter but that is not so much what it is about.
I just hope it is okay I in the discussion try to keep some facts straight concerning the request.
It is more than I thought it would be but I hope you understand it can be important.

AVLinux

Yes, the deepest respect for all the work you write about. :-)

JmaCWQ

Yes, it will be great. :-)
Interesting you intend to go directly from 21 to 25

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 5:00 pm**

I am locking this topic. There have been plenty of topics on what people want, it's been hashed out enough. The Dev Team will determine what happens with the new release, and when they need information from our members they will ask for it. Thanks.

MX Linux Forum

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