Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:26 am
What is Refracta?
Refracta is an operating system designed for home computer users based on Debian GNU/Linux. A modified Xfce desktop environment provides a simple and familiar layout that most users will find very comfortable. A thoughtful collection of common applications and services as well as some custom tools and configurations set Refracta apart from other distributions. [link to included packages]
But Refracta is much more than a sleek desktop that is light and easy on resources. The inclusion of refractasnapshot [link to release notes section] and refractainstaller [link to release notes section] make Refracta a reliable backup, rescue and repair tool.
Live-media
You do not need to install Refracta or make any changes to your current operating system to try it out. Just download [link to download page] and burn the iso image appropriate for your system to CD/DVD or USB stick. Make sure your BIOS is set to boot from the appropriate device and reboot. Refracta can be easily installed from the live media with a few mouse clicks. [link to readme]
Other reasons to use Refracta
1. Easy to do multiple installs. Set up a base system to your liking with custom applications and configurations and then create a snapshot that can be installed on multiple machines.
2. Take your own personal system with you wherever you go on bootable live media. Refractasnapshot makes it possible to boot any computer into YOUR desktop.
3. Fix a broken system. Diagnose/rescue/repair problems from a Refracta live disk using the tools in your familiar custom environment.
4. No bloat. Refracta is light on resources to improve your work flow.
Development
Around 2007, Dean Linkous began to explore ways of creating his own custom build (that eventually became Refracta). He started by investigating Daniel Baumann's live-helper, which is the official method of creating live images for the Debian Project. While he never really mastered live-helper's complexity, he did discover that one of its functions could take a live snapshot of a running system. Then after analyzing the structure of a live image, Dean was able to write his own bash scripts to create a bootable ISO of a of a running system. Dean's contributions set the stage for Refracta, Refractasnapshot and Refractainstaller to mature.
Fred Smith got involved with Refracta a few years ago and with Dean's blessings, now leads the project. He collected and refined Dean's bash scripts by adding error checking, validation etc. and improved the graphical interfaces that now only require a few mouse clicks. Fred also wanted Refracta to provide a unique diagnosis and rescue environment and so added openssh-server and a unique collection of command line tools to the customized XFCE version currently available.
Updating Refracta
Except for a few applications and bash scripts, Refracta is a repackaged Debian and therefore uses the Debian repository sources for updates. If needed, Refractainstaller and Refractasnapshot can be updated from github. See release notes [link] for details and instructions.
Refractasnapshot
Refractasnapshot is a bash script that uses rsync to copy a running system and then compress it into a bootable ISO image format which can burned to CD/DVD or copied to a USB stick. The default options will work in most cases. If adjustments need to be made, well-commented configuration options are located in etc/refractasnapshot.conf [link] Depending on the location and amount of data on your system, the rsync excludes in /usr/lib/refractasnapshot/snapshot_exclude.list [link] might need to be changed. Keep in mind that the ISO size must be compatible with media limitations (around 4gb).
Refractasnapshot can be run in a terminal or from a graphical interface. Depending on your Desktop environment, GUI launchers should be automatically added to the main menu after installation. It only takes a few clicks to start the process which can take from 10-25 minutes depending on the amount of data being processed and the amount of disk compression used.
Some screenshots and/or video here would be great!
Refractainstaller
In case of system failure, the Refractainstaller can quickly install your running custom snapshot from either a graphical interface or terminal. [link to installer readme] The current installer supports both grub-legacy and grub2. A summary of the options can be found here. [link to installer readme]
The commands were originally put into a bash script by Dean Linkous. Then Clement Lefebvre from Linux Mint wrapped them in a python/glade graphical installer. Working off Clem's contribution, Dean built his own installer. Fred Smith has reworked the script, improved the graphical installer and added extra options.
Mon Feb 11, 2013 12:20 am
Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:22 am
Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:36 am
Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:49 am
Mon Feb 11, 2013 1:46 pm
Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:44 pm
fsmithred wrote:I'll take care of the release notes. Maybe it's worth including a link to the wheezy release notes inside the refracta release notes. The latter are intended to be short and specific for refracta - quick howtos. One thing I've thought about doing with them is to make an html version with table of contents, so you can jump to what you want. Then, maybe they could be expanded to contain some full howtos.
fsmithred wrote:I'll have to take a look at the other thread that did have some history in it, and I can probably fill in a couple of details. If you're feeling motivated to write about the tools right now, then go for it. Put a few words down, and I'll give you more details.
Mon Feb 11, 2013 5:16 pm
According to the 'team' page meandean was the original creator?
Mon Feb 11, 2013 5:37 pm
nadir wrote:According to the 'team' page meandean was the original creator?
Yes.
Words don't suffice here, hence i stop.
nadir wrote:If it was me i would remove all opinions from the layout in the OP:
elegant backup, rescue and repair tool -> backup, rescue and repair tool.
To give one example.
btw: Else the wikipedia gods will complain (too).
nadir wrote:Init it "an operating system" (instead of "a operating system" ? Shit knows.
Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:07 pm