[2024-feb-29] Sad news: Eric Layton aka Nocturnal Slacker aka vtel57 passed away on Feb 26th, shortly after hospitalization. He was one of our Wiki's most prominent admins. He will be missed.
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Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revisionNext revisionBoth sides next revision | ||
slackware:liveslak [2017/09/19 19:15 (UTC)] – Plasma5 ISO size alienbob | slackware:liveslak [2020/12/06 19:49 (UTC)] – Update Wiki to the liveslak documentation for the 1.3.8 release. alienbob | ||
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Slackware Live Edition does not have to be installed to a computer hard drive (//however you do have that choice if you want to: using the '' | Slackware Live Edition does not have to be installed to a computer hard drive (//however you do have that choice if you want to: using the '' | ||
- | The USB version is " | + | The USB version is " |
- | USB stick. | + | |
In order to protect your sensitive private data in case you lose your USB stick (or in case it gets stolen) you can enhance your persistent USB Live OS with an encrypted homedirectory and/or an encrypted persistence file, to be unlocked on boot with a passphrase that only you know. | In order to protect your sensitive private data in case you lose your USB stick (or in case it gets stolen) you can enhance your persistent USB Live OS with an encrypted homedirectory and/or an encrypted persistence file, to be unlocked on boot with a passphrase that only you know. | ||
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The " | The " | ||
- | - a complete 64bit Slackware-current Live Edition (in a 2.6 GB ISO); | + | - a complete 64bit Slackware-current Live Edition (in a 4.0 GB ISO); |
- a slimmed-down XFCE ISO (700 MB) with XDM as the graphical login manager. | - a slimmed-down XFCE ISO (700 MB) with XDM as the graphical login manager. | ||
- | - a ISO image (4.6 GB) of Slackware64-current containing Plasma 5 instead of KDE 4, with an addition of several other packages from the alienBOB repositories: | + | - a ISO image (4.3 GB) of Slackware64-current containing Plasma 5 instead of KDE 4. |
- | - a Mate variant (1.7 GB) where KDE 4 has been replaced by Mate (a Gnome 2 fork); | + | - a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) based on a custom Slackware package set plus Plasma5, containing a rich software collection for musicians, producers and live performance artists. |
+ | - a Mate variant (3.2 GB) where KDE 4 has been replaced by Mate (a Gnome 2 fork); | ||
- a Cinnamon flavour (a fork of the Gnome 3 Shell replacing Slackware' | - a Cinnamon flavour (a fork of the Gnome 3 Shell replacing Slackware' | ||
+ | - a [[https:// | ||
+ | - a [[http:// | ||
- a //Custom// variant which you can give your own name, its own package list and custom post-install configuration. | - a //Custom// variant which you can give your own name, its own package list and custom post-install configuration. | ||
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Common download locations are: | Common download locations are: | ||
- | * Primary site: http://bear.alienbase.nl/mirrors/ | + | * Primary site: http://slackware.nl/ |
* Darren' | * Darren' | ||
* Willy' | * Willy' | ||
- | * Ryan's https:// | ||
* Shasta' | * Shasta' | ||
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Syslinux shows a graphical boot menu with a nice Slackware-themed background and several options: | Syslinux shows a graphical boot menu with a nice Slackware-themed background and several options: | ||
- | * Start (SLACKWARE | PLASMA5 | XFCE | MATE) Live (depending on which of the ISOs you boot) | + | * Start (SLACKWARE | PLASMA5 | XFCE | MATE | DAW) Live (depending on which of the ISOs you boot) |
* Non-US Keyboard selection | * Non-US Keyboard selection | ||
* Non-US Language selection | * Non-US Language selection | ||
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On UEFI computers, Grub2 handles the boot and it will show a menu similar (and similarly themed) to the Syslinux menu: | On UEFI computers, Grub2 handles the boot and it will show a menu similar (and similarly themed) to the Syslinux menu: | ||
- | * Start (SLACKWARE | PLASMA5 | XFCE | MATE) Live (depending on which of the ISOs you boot) | + | * Start (SLACKWARE | PLASMA5 | XFCE | MATE | DAW) Live (depending on which of the ISOs you boot) |
* Non-US Keyboard selection | * Non-US Keyboard selection | ||
* Non-US Language selection | * Non-US Language selection | ||
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Editing a Grub menu before booting it is possible by pressing the " | Editing a Grub menu before booting it is possible by pressing the " | ||
- | Another difference between Syslinux and Grub2 menus: in Grub2 you can select a non-US keyboard, language and/or timezone and you will return to the main menu every time. You still have to select "Start SLACKWARE Live" to boot the computer. | + | Another difference between Syslinux and Grub2 menus: in Grub2 you can select a non-US keyboard, language and/or timezone and you will return to the main menu every time. You still have to select "Start SLACKWARE Live" to boot the computer. |
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A script is available which allows you to transfer the ISO image content to a USB stick, making some modifications depending on the script' | A script is available which allows you to transfer the ISO image content to a USB stick, making some modifications depending on the script' | ||
- | The USB stick will be erased and re-formatted when running this script (except when using the ' | + | The USB stick will be erased and re-formatted when running this script (except when using the ' |
This script, called ' | This script, called ' | ||
-c|--crypt size|perc | -c|--crypt size|perc | ||
| | ||
- | or as a percentage of free space. | + | or as a percentage of free space |
- | | + | |
+ | | ||
-d|--devices | -d|--devices | ||
-f|--force | -f|--force | ||
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Use a LUKS-encrypted ' | Use a LUKS-encrypted ' | ||
of a directory (for use on FAT filesystem). | of a directory (for use on FAT filesystem). | ||
+ | | ||
+ | as for the ' | ||
-P|--persistfile | -P|--persistfile | ||
of a directory (for use on FAT filesystem). | of a directory (for use on FAT filesystem). | ||
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You might have noticed that the " | You might have noticed that the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Using the Live OS to install Slackware to hard disk ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | All variants of Slackware Live Edition contain a script " | ||
+ | The " | ||
+ | |||
+ | The " | ||
+ | * It will launch fdisk/gdisk if you forgot to create Linux partitions in advance; | ||
+ | * It will allow you to create a regular user account and set its password; | ||
+ | * It will prompt you to set the root password in a graphical dialog. | ||
+ | |||
==== Updating the kernel (and more) on a USB stick ==== | ==== Updating the kernel (and more) on a USB stick ==== | ||
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# ./upslak.sh -d | # ./upslak.sh -d | ||
* Updating kernel and modules, providing two packages as input and assuming the USB stick is known as /dev/sdX: | * Updating kernel and modules, providing two packages as input and assuming the USB stick is known as /dev/sdX: | ||
- | # ./upslak.sh -o /dev/sdX -m kernel-modules-4.9.50-x86_64-1.txz -k kernel-generic-4.9.50-x86_64-1.txz | + | # ./upslak.sh -o /dev/sdX -m kernel-modules-4.19.0-x86_64-1.txz -k kernel-generic-4.19.0-x86_64-1.txz |
* Restore the previous kernel and modules after a failed update, and let the script scan your computer for the insertion of your USB stick: | * Restore the previous kernel and modules after a failed update, and let the script scan your computer for the insertion of your USB stick: | ||
# ./upslak.sh -s -r | # ./upslak.sh -s -r | ||
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=== Media tweaks === | === Media tweaks === | ||
+ | |||
+ | cfg=[skip|write] => | ||
+ | Specify ' | ||
+ | OS parameters; or specify ' | ||
+ | to disk. | ||
+ | |||
+ | domain=your_custom_domain => | ||
+ | Specify a custom domain name. Defaults to ' | ||
hostname=your_custom_hostname[, | hostname=your_custom_hostname[, | ||
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Use this if you want to | Use this if you want to | ||
load the live OS from an ISO file on a local harddisk partition. | load the live OS from an ISO file on a local harddisk partition. | ||
+ | |||
+ | livemedia=scandev:/ | ||
+ | Use this if liveslak should | ||
+ | scan all device partitions to locate the ISO file. | ||
livemain=directoryname => | livemain=directoryname => | ||
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toram => | toram => | ||
- | | + | |
You can remove the boot media after booting. | You can remove the boot media after booting. | ||
+ | |||
+ | toram=all => | ||
+ | Prevent writes to disk since we are supposed to run from RAM; | ||
+ | equivalent to parameter " | ||
+ | |||
+ | toram=os => | ||
+ | Load OS modules into RAM, but write persistent data to USB. | ||
=== Troubleshooting === | === Troubleshooting === | ||
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* The boot/ directory contains the syslinux configuration used when the Live OS boots on a computer with a BIOS. This directory also contains the kernel and initrd files which are used to actually boot the OS. | * The boot/ directory contains the syslinux configuration used when the Live OS boots on a computer with a BIOS. This directory also contains the kernel and initrd files which are used to actually boot the OS. | ||
* The liveslak/ directory contains all the squashfs modules which are used to assemble the filesystem of the Live OS, as well as files that are copied directly into the root of the Live filesystem. | * The liveslak/ directory contains all the squashfs modules which are used to assemble the filesystem of the Live OS, as well as files that are copied directly into the root of the Live filesystem. | ||
- | * addons/ - modules which are stored in this directory will always be added t the Live filesystem unless you prevent that with a " | + | * addons/ - modules which are stored in this directory will always be added to the Live filesystem unless you prevent that with a " |
* optional/ - modules in this directory will not be added to the filesystem of the Live OS unless you force this with a " | * optional/ - modules in this directory will not be added to the filesystem of the Live OS unless you force this with a " | ||
* system/ - this directory contains all the modules which were created by the " | * system/ - this directory contains all the modules which were created by the " | ||
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* The script reads a package sequence for the Live variant and installs all packages in this sequence to subdirectories of a temporary directory tree. | * The script reads a package sequence for the Live variant and installs all packages in this sequence to subdirectories of a temporary directory tree. | ||
- | * Every Slackware package set (a, ap, d, ... , y) or package list (min, xbase, xapbase, ...) is installed into a separate ' | + | * Every Slackware package set (a, ap, d, ... , y) or package list (min, noxbase, x_base, xapbase, ...) is installed into a separate ' |
* Each of those root directories is " | * Each of those root directories is " | ||
* These module files are subsequently loop-mounted and then combined together into a single read-only directory structure using an " | * These module files are subsequently loop-mounted and then combined together into a single read-only directory structure using an " | ||
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* the desktop environment is pre-configured for first use, | * the desktop environment is pre-configured for first use, | ||
* the liveslak scripts " | * the liveslak scripts " | ||
- | * if the Live system contains a huge kernel (all ISO variants except XFCE) then the " | + | * the " |
* slackpkg is configured, | * slackpkg is configured, | ||
* a locate database is created, | * a locate database is created, | ||
* etc... | * etc... | ||
- | * All these modifications are written to the writable filesystem that was created in the previous section. This filesystem will also be stored on the ISO as a squashfs module and when the Live OS boots, it will be mounted read-only just like all the other modules. Its name will be " | + | * All these modifications are written to the writable filesystem that was created in the previous section. This filesystem will also be stored on the ISO as a squashfs module and when the Live OS boots, it will be mounted read-only just like all the other modules. Its name will be " |
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This section explains how the script modifies the ISO for the enhanced USB functionality. | This section explains how the script modifies the ISO for the enhanced USB functionality. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Layout of the USB stick == | ||
+ | |||
+ | The " | ||
+ | |||
+ | * First partition: a small (1 MB in size) FAT partition which is not used for Slackware Live Edition. | ||
+ | * Second partition: a 100 MB VFAT partition containing the kernel, initrd and all the other stuff required by syslinux and grub2 to boot Slackware Live Edition. | ||
+ | * Third partition: a Linux partition taking up all of the remaining space. It contains the actual liveslak modules, the persistent live storage and optionally your encrypted homedirectory. You can use the remainder of this Linux //ext4// filesystem' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Note that this script is the only supported method of transfering the liveslak ISO content to a USB stick and make that USB stick into a persistent live OS. Several 3rd party tools (like multibootusb, | ||
== Mounting a filesystem in an encrypted container == | == Mounting a filesystem in an encrypted container == | ||
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The fourth script: | The fourth script: | ||
- | The " | + | The " |
+ | * The Slackware network installation is identical to that of the official Slackware installation medium. | ||
+ | * If you chose to install the Live OS, then after you select the target partition(s), | ||
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This section explains how the script modifies the content of the Live USB stick. | This section explains how the script modifies the content of the Live USB stick. | ||
- | When the script is started, it will do some sanity checks and then extracts the comtent | + | When the script is started, it will do some sanity checks and then extracts the content |
* existence of previously backed-up kernel modules is checked, | * existence of previously backed-up kernel modules is checked, | ||
* template variables and their values are obtained from the init sctript, | * template variables and their values are obtained from the init sctript, | ||
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== Replace the liveslak init script == | == Replace the liveslak init script == | ||
- | The init script inside the initrd image is the core of liveslak. | + | The init script inside the initrd image is the core of liveslak. |
== Wrap persistence data into a new squashfs module == | == Wrap persistence data into a new squashfs module == | ||
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You also need the " | You also need the " | ||
- | Liveslak is a directory tree containing scripts, bitmaps and configuration files. | + | Liveslak is a directory tree containing scripts, bitmaps and configuration files. |
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* README.txt - this documentation. | * README.txt - this documentation. | ||
* addons/ - squashfs modules placed in this directory will be loaded into the Live filesystem when the OS boots. | * addons/ - squashfs modules placed in this directory will be loaded into the Live filesystem when the OS boots. | ||
+ | * contrib/ - contributed scripts that are not used directly for the creation and usage of a Live ISO. | ||
* graphics/ - squashfs modules for proprietary GPU support (Nvidia) can be placed here. The module(s) will be copied to addons/ by the " | * graphics/ - squashfs modules for proprietary GPU support (Nvidia) can be placed here. The module(s) will be copied to addons/ by the " | ||
* local64/ , local/ - these directories can contain Slackware packages considered ' | * local64/ , local/ - these directories can contain Slackware packages considered ' | ||
+ | * media/ - scripts and images that are specific to a Live variant. | ||
* optional/ - squashfs modules placed in this directory will not automatically be loaded into the Live filesystem when the OS boots. | * optional/ - squashfs modules placed in this directory will not automatically be loaded into the Live filesystem when the OS boots. | ||
+ | * patches/ - patches for Slackware scripts that need modifications to run inside a Live OS. | ||
* pkglists/ - definition files of 3rd party repositories (*.conf) and the package lists to be used from those repositories (*.lst) must be placed in this directory. | * pkglists/ - definition files of 3rd party repositories (*.conf) and the package lists to be used from those repositories (*.lst) must be placed in this directory. | ||
+ | * setup2hd/ - script templates used by the '' | ||
* skel/ - contains compressed tarballs (whose filenames must match wildcard " | * skel/ - contains compressed tarballs (whose filenames must match wildcard " | ||
* syslinux/ | * syslinux/ | ||
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* locale = the locale used in the country | * locale = the locale used in the country | ||
* xkb = optional custom X keyboard variant for the language | * xkb = optional custom X keyboard variant for the language | ||
- | * liveinit - this is the " | + | * liveinit.tpl - this is the template for the " |
* make_slackware_live.conf - the configuration file for the " | * make_slackware_live.conf - the configuration file for the " | ||
* make_slackware_live.sh - the script that generates the Live ISO. | * make_slackware_live.sh - the script that generates the Live ISO. | ||
* makemod - this script creates a squashfs module out of a Slackware package (or out of a directory tree). | * makemod - this script creates a squashfs module out of a Slackware package (or out of a directory tree). | ||
* menu.tpl - template which is used to generate the syslinux boot menu for BIOS computers. | * menu.tpl - template which is used to generate the syslinux boot menu for BIOS computers. | ||
- | * pxeserver - the script that starts a PXE server allowing other computers to boot Slackware Live over the network. | + | * pxeserver.tpl - template to generate |
- | * setup2hd - the script you use to install your Slackware Live to a harddisk. | + | * setup2hd.tpl |
- | * setup2hd.local - here a developer of a custom Live OS can override the default post-installation routine by (re-)defining the function " | + | * setup2hd.local.tpl - here a developer of a custom Live OS can override the default post-installation routine by (re-)defining the function " |
+ | * upslak.sh - a script which allows you to tweak the content of a USB Live stick. | ||
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-a arch Machine architecture (default: x86_64). | -a arch Machine architecture (default: x86_64). | ||
Use i586 for a 32bit ISO, x86_64 for 64bit. | Use i586 for a 32bit ISO, x86_64 for 64bit. | ||
+ | -c comp Squashfs compression (default: xz). | ||
+ | Can be any of 'gzip lzma lzo xz zstd'. | ||
-d desktoptype | -d desktoptype | ||
- | XFCE (basic XFCE), PLASMA5 (full Plasma5 replaces KDE4), | + | XFCE (basic XFCE), PLASMA5 (KDE Plasma5 replaces KDE4), |
MATE (Gnome2 fork replaces KDE4), CINNAMON (fork of Gnome3 | MATE (Gnome2 fork replaces KDE4), CINNAMON (fork of Gnome3 | ||
- | Shell replaces KDE4). | + | Shell replaces KDE4), DLACK (adds Gnome3, PAM and systemd). |
| | ||
where the ISO won't boot otherwise (default: 4). | where the ISO won't boot otherwise (default: 4). | ||
| | ||
custom configurations and new initrd.img. | custom configurations and new initrd.img. | ||
+ | -l < | ||
+ | (script-default is ' | ||
-m pkglst[, | -m pkglst[, | ||
-r series[, | -r series[, | ||
-s slackrepo_dir | -s slackrepo_dir | ||
- | -t < | + | -t <none|doc|mandoc|bloat> |
+ | | ||
| | ||
-z version | -z version | ||
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The script uses package repositories to create a Live ISO. The packages will be installed into a temporary directory. | The script uses package repositories to create a Live ISO. The packages will be installed into a temporary directory. | ||
- | In order to create a Live ISO for any of these variants, the package repositories that are required must be available as a local directory (this can be a network-mounted directory). | + | In order to create a Live ISO for any of these variants, the package repositories that are required must be available as a local directory (this can be a network-mounted directory). |
When all pre-reqs are met, you issue a single command to generate the ISO. The following example will create a pure Slackware Live Edition: | When all pre-reqs are met, you issue a single command to generate the ISO. The following example will create a pure Slackware Live Edition: | ||
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- | ==== Using the Customization | + | ==== Using the Customization |
+ | |||
+ | === Master configuration file === | ||
You can create your own custom Live OS by changing its characteristics in the configuration file "'' | You can create your own custom Live OS by changing its characteristics in the configuration file "'' | ||
Among the things you can change are: | Among the things you can change are: | ||
- | * The name of the Desktop variant (the script itself knows "// | + | * The name of the Desktop variant (the script itself knows "// |
* The list(s) of packages used for your custom distribution, | * The list(s) of packages used for your custom distribution, | ||
+ | * The full name of the user (by default that is "// | ||
* The name of the useraccount (by default that is "// | * The name of the useraccount (by default that is "// | ||
* The name of the distribution (by default that is "// | * The name of the distribution (by default that is "// | ||
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# and " | # and " | ||
# respectively): | # respectively): | ||
- | # | + | # |
# OPTIONAL: | # OPTIONAL: | ||
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#} | #} | ||
</ | </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Custom background images === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Plasma5 based Live variants allow customization of the background image used for the login greeter, the desktop wallpaper and the lock screen. The image you want to use for this purpose, must have a 16:9 aspect ratio and its dimensions should at least be 1920x1080 pixels. You must store the custom image inside the liveslak source tree: in the subdirectory '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | The " | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
==== Internals of Slackware Live Edition ==== | ==== Internals of Slackware Live Edition ==== | ||
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0000 = contains the Slackware /boot directory | 0000 = contains the Slackware /boot directory | ||
0010-0019 = packages installed from a Slackware tagfile (a,ap,d, ... , y series) | 0010-0019 = packages installed from a Slackware tagfile (a,ap,d, ... , y series) | ||
- | 0020-0029 = packages installed from a package list as found in the ./pkglists subdirectory of the liveslak sources (min, xbase, xapbase, xfcebase etc) | + | 0020-0029 = packages installed from a package list as found in the ./pkglists subdirectory of the liveslak sources (min, noxbase, x_base, xapbase, xfcebase etc) |
0030-0039 = a ' | 0030-0039 = a ' | ||
0099 = liveslak configuration module (contaning all the customizations that change the installed packages into a usable Live OS) </ | 0099 = liveslak configuration module (contaning all the customizations that change the installed packages into a usable Live OS) </ | ||
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Website: https:// | Website: https:// | ||
- | SLAX was the original Live variant of Slackware. | + | SLAX was the original Live variant of Slackware. |
The Live functionality of SLAX is based on aufs and unionfs which requires a custom-built kernel with aufs support compiled-in. | The Live functionality of SLAX is based on aufs and unionfs which requires a custom-built kernel with aufs support compiled-in. | ||
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Website: http:// | Website: http:// | ||
- | A website offering Live versions based on many regular Linux distributions. | + | A website offering Live versions based on many regular Linux distributions. |
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Slackware Live Edition is created by the ' | Slackware Live Edition is created by the ' | ||
- | * Git repository: %%git://bear.alienbase.nl/ | + | * Git repository: %%git://slackware.nl/ |
- | * Git repository (browsable): | + | * Git repository (browsable): |
* Download mirror: http:// | * Download mirror: http:// | ||
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====== Sources ====== | ====== Sources ====== | ||
<!-- If you copy information from another source, then specify that source --> | <!-- If you copy information from another source, then specify that source --> | ||
- | * Original source: [[http://bear.alienbase.nl/cgit/ | + | * Original source: [[https://git.slackware.nl/ |
+ | * Project landing page: [[https:// | ||
<!-- Authors are allowed to give credit to themselves! --> | <!-- Authors are allowed to give credit to themselves! --> | ||
* Originally written by [[wiki: | * Originally written by [[wiki: | ||
- | <!-- * Contrbutions | + | <!-- * Contributions |
<!-- Please do not modify anything below, except adding new tags.--> | <!-- Please do not modify anything below, except adding new tags.--> | ||
<!-- You must also remove the tag-word " | <!-- You must also remove the tag-word " | ||
- | {{tag> | + | {{tag> |