Mac OS X Tiger was released in 2005, its final security update being in 2009. Mac OS X Leopard was released in 2007, given its very last security update in 2011, and is the ultimate version of Mac OS X compatible with the PowerPC architecture, effectively marking the entire family EOL, even for formidable powerhouses like the Power Mac G5 Quad.
As a response, this Wiki shall symbolize a community effort to bring modern, powerful, and secure Debian-based Linux distributions to the PowerPC Mac as effortlessly as possible - in layman's terms: for the rest of us. Thus, the end goal will be to act as a universally approachable and updated version of the Ubuntu PowerPC FAQ. As such, contributions to this Wiki are greatly welcomed and highly appreciated. Thank you.
Click a category to get started.
This is a public Wiki -
Please contribute if you know something about Linux that can make people's lives easier.
Thank you.
As a response, this Wiki shall symbolize a community effort to bring modern, powerful, and secure Debian-based Linux distributions to the PowerPC Mac as effortlessly as possible - in layman's terms: for the rest of us. Thus, the end goal will be to act as a universally approachable and updated version of the Ubuntu PowerPC FAQ. As such, contributions to this Wiki are greatly welcomed and highly appreciated. Thank you.
Click a category to get started.
CLI + GUI GPUs
ATi Rage 128
ATi Radeon Mac Edition
ATi Radeon 7000
ATi Radeon 9000
ATi Radeon 9200
ATi Radeon 9550
ATi Radeon 9700
ATi Radeon 9800
ATi Radeon X600
nVIDIA GeForce 4 MX
nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
nVIDIA GeForce 6600
CLI Only GPUs
ATi Radeon X1900 GT
ATi Rage 128
ATi Radeon Mac Edition
ATi Radeon 7000
ATi Radeon 9000
ATi Radeon 9200
ATi Radeon 9550
ATi Radeon 9700
ATi Radeon 9800
ATi Radeon X600
nVIDIA GeForce 4 MX
nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
nVIDIA GeForce 6600
CLI Only GPUs
ATi Radeon X1900 GT
---------------------------------------- [ Official Distributions ] ------------------------------------------
Debian 7.11 (Wheezy) | 2013 - 2016
Debian 8.11 (Jessie) | 2015 - 2018
Debian 10.0 (Buster) | July 2019
Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) | August 2021
Debian Sid | Current
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise) | 2012 - 2017
Ubuntu 14.04.6 LTS (Trusty) | 2014 - 2019
Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS (Xenial) | 2016 - 2021
------------------------------------ [ Community Distributions ] --------------------------------------
Lubuntu 12.04 / 16.04 Remix (Xenial) | 2016 - 2021
Debian Sid Remix (Sid) | Current
MintPPC (Sid) | Current
Fienix (Sid) | Current
Debian 7.11 (Wheezy) | 2013 - 2016
Debian 8.11 (Jessie) | 2015 - 2018
Debian 10.0 (Buster) | July 2019
Debian 11.0 (Bullseye) | August 2021
Debian Sid | Current
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise) | 2012 - 2017
Ubuntu 14.04.6 LTS (Trusty) | 2014 - 2019
Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS (Xenial) | 2016 - 2021
------------------------------------ [ Community Distributions ] --------------------------------------
Lubuntu 12.04 / 16.04 Remix (Xenial) | 2016 - 2021
Debian Sid Remix (Sid) | Current
MintPPC (Sid) | Current
Fienix (Sid) | Current
Here's how to install any of the official distributions offered above.
Note: If you chose Debian Sid, please refer to the Debian Sid Installation Guide.
Note 2: Please refer to this guide for booting CDs on Old World Macs and early G3s.
1. Burn your chosen distribution ISO to a CD, and boot from it with 'C' at the chime (or Caps Lock light). Make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet via Ethernet.
1a. You may also flash a USB drive. Refer to the Flash / Boot Off USB Drive section below this guide for instructions on doing so.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Yaboot prompt will appear.
When installing off CDs, just hitting 'Enter' at the prompt will usually suffice.
When installing off USB drives, the following applies:
For Debian on G3s/G4s: type 'install32'
For Debian on G5s: type 'install'
For Ubuntu on G3s/G4s: type 'install-powerpc'
For Ubuntu on G5s: type 'install-powerpc64'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Follow the prompts. When it's time to partition your disk, use 'Guided - use entire disk' and 'All files in one partition' for a simple install. Note that this will destroy any previous system installs on the selected disk, so be sure that you want to do this before proceeding, and have backups at the ready.
3a. If you want to manually partition your drive for better speed and reliability, refer to the Manual Partitioning subcategory below.
3b. If you'd like to dual boot with Mac OS X, please refer to the Dual Boot Between Linux / OS X section below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. (For Debian Only) When you are shown a list of repositories, scroll all the way up, and choose "Enter information manually". In the first box, enter the following:
For Debian 7 (Wheezy) or Debian 8 (Jessie)
In the first box, enter 'archive.debian.org'.
Enter into the second box '/debian/'.
For Debian 10 (Buster) and Debian 11 (Bullseye)
Debian 10 and Debian 11 users must instead hit Esc and choose "Continue without a repository".
Afterward, when you are presented with what packages you want to install, select or deselect with the Spacebar, and continue with Return (do not press until you are finished). Do not install any desktop environments yet, and make sure 'Standard System Utilities' and 'SSH server' (if present) are the only options selected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. (For Debian Only) Once installation has finished and you are booted into your new system, log-in, enter 'sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list', and add:
For Debian 7 (Wheezy)
deb [trusted=yes] http://archive.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-backports main
For Debian 8 (Jessie)
deb [trusted=yes] http://archive.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports main
For Debian 10 (Buster)
deb [trusted=yes] http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian-ports/20190707T221412Z/ sid main
For Debian 11 (Bullseye)
deb [trusted=yes] http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian-ports/20210814T194616Z/ sid main
Now you can save with Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
Then, enter 'sudo apt-get update'. If you are running Debian 8 on a G5 with an Nvidia card, you may now skip down to Debian 8 under Fixes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. (For Ubuntu 16.04 Only) Once installation has finished and you are booted into your new system, log-in, type 'sudo apt update', then run 'sudo apt install network-manager && sudo mv /etc/network/interfaces /etc/network/interfaces.bak'. If you do not do this, you may loose your Internet connection after the next reboot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. (For Debian 10 and Debian 11 Only) Update your packages with 'sudo apt full-upgrade'. Select 'yes' when you're asked about upgrading services without restarting. Once it's finished installing, you're ready to get a desktop environment.
Note: If you chose Debian Sid, please refer to the Debian Sid Installation Guide.
Note 2: Please refer to this guide for booting CDs on Old World Macs and early G3s.
1. Burn your chosen distribution ISO to a CD, and boot from it with 'C' at the chime (or Caps Lock light). Make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet via Ethernet.
1a. You may also flash a USB drive. Refer to the Flash / Boot Off USB Drive section below this guide for instructions on doing so.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Yaboot prompt will appear.
When installing off CDs, just hitting 'Enter' at the prompt will usually suffice.
When installing off USB drives, the following applies:
For Debian on G3s/G4s: type 'install32'
For Debian on G5s: type 'install'
For Ubuntu on G3s/G4s: type 'install-powerpc'
For Ubuntu on G5s: type 'install-powerpc64'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Follow the prompts. When it's time to partition your disk, use 'Guided - use entire disk' and 'All files in one partition' for a simple install. Note that this will destroy any previous system installs on the selected disk, so be sure that you want to do this before proceeding, and have backups at the ready.
3a. If you want to manually partition your drive for better speed and reliability, refer to the Manual Partitioning subcategory below.
3b. If you'd like to dual boot with Mac OS X, please refer to the Dual Boot Between Linux / OS X section below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. (For Debian Only) When you are shown a list of repositories, scroll all the way up, and choose "Enter information manually". In the first box, enter the following:
For Debian 7 (Wheezy) or Debian 8 (Jessie)
In the first box, enter 'archive.debian.org'.
Enter into the second box '/debian/'.
For Debian 10 (Buster) and Debian 11 (Bullseye)
Debian 10 and Debian 11 users must instead hit Esc and choose "Continue without a repository".
Afterward, when you are presented with what packages you want to install, select or deselect with the Spacebar, and continue with Return (do not press until you are finished). Do not install any desktop environments yet, and make sure 'Standard System Utilities' and 'SSH server' (if present) are the only options selected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. (For Debian Only) Once installation has finished and you are booted into your new system, log-in, enter 'sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list', and add:
For Debian 7 (Wheezy)
deb [trusted=yes] http://archive.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-backports main
For Debian 8 (Jessie)
deb [trusted=yes] http://archive.debian.org/debian/ jessie-backports main
For Debian 10 (Buster)
deb [trusted=yes] http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian-ports/20190707T221412Z/ sid main
For Debian 11 (Bullseye)
deb [trusted=yes] http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian-ports/20210814T194616Z/ sid main
Now you can save with Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
Then, enter 'sudo apt-get update'. If you are running Debian 8 on a G5 with an Nvidia card, you may now skip down to Debian 8 under Fixes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. (For Ubuntu 16.04 Only) Once installation has finished and you are booted into your new system, log-in, type 'sudo apt update', then run 'sudo apt install network-manager && sudo mv /etc/network/interfaces /etc/network/interfaces.bak'. If you do not do this, you may loose your Internet connection after the next reboot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. (For Debian 10 and Debian 11 Only) Update your packages with 'sudo apt full-upgrade'. Select 'yes' when you're asked about upgrading services without restarting. Once it's finished installing, you're ready to get a desktop environment.
Here's how to quickly, easily, and manually partition a disk for faster performance and better reliability.
Employing this method may solve various booting problems.
1. Select 'Guided - use entire disk'.
2. Select the disk to install on, then 'All files in one partition'.
3. Select the 'swap' partition, and choose 'Delete the partition'.
4. Select the 'ext4' partition, and choose 'Delete the partition'.
5. Select the 'FREE SPACE' box, choose 'Create a new partition', and make it 1.0 GB. Then, choose 'Beginning'. Pick 'Beginning' again every time the installer asks you. Select the 'Use as:' box, and choose 'Ext2 file system'. Then, go into the 'Mount point:' box, and select '/boot'. After that, select 'Done setting up the partition'.
6. Select 'FREE SPACE'. 'Create a new partition'. Make it 10.0 GB if you have a constrained amount of space, or 20.0+ GB if you have plenty of space. Leave this one at 'Ext4 journaling file system', mounted at '/'. Select 'Done setting up the partition'.
7. Once again, go into the 'FREE SPACE' box. 'Create a new partition'. Set this to 8.8 GB. Go into the 'Use as:' box, and select 'swap area'. Select 'Done setting up the partition'. Now, choose 'Finish partitioning and write changes to disk'. Choose 'Yes' when it confirms to write the changes to disk.
Employing this method may solve various booting problems.
1. Select 'Guided - use entire disk'.
2. Select the disk to install on, then 'All files in one partition'.
3. Select the 'swap' partition, and choose 'Delete the partition'.
4. Select the 'ext4' partition, and choose 'Delete the partition'.
5. Select the 'FREE SPACE' box, choose 'Create a new partition', and make it 1.0 GB. Then, choose 'Beginning'. Pick 'Beginning' again every time the installer asks you. Select the 'Use as:' box, and choose 'Ext2 file system'. Then, go into the 'Mount point:' box, and select '/boot'. After that, select 'Done setting up the partition'.
6. Select 'FREE SPACE'. 'Create a new partition'. Make it 10.0 GB if you have a constrained amount of space, or 20.0+ GB if you have plenty of space. Leave this one at 'Ext4 journaling file system', mounted at '/'. Select 'Done setting up the partition'.
7. Once again, go into the 'FREE SPACE' box. 'Create a new partition'. Set this to 8.8 GB. Go into the 'Use as:' box, and select 'swap area'. Select 'Done setting up the partition'. Now, choose 'Finish partitioning and write changes to disk'. Choose 'Yes' when it confirms to write the changes to disk.
If you have another UNIX-based or UNIX-like system, you can flash a distribution image (saved to the Downloads folder in your home directory) to a USB drive. Copy / Paste the below text to a terminal window (add your chosen image filename):
sudo dd if=~/Downloads/<distribution image> of=/dev/sdx
(sdb if you have one HD, sdc if you have two HDs, sdc if three, etc.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After your USB is flashed, reboot and hold Cmd + Opt + O + F at the chime (or Caps Lock light). Once you're in Open Firmware, input the following command (if 'usb0' does not work, try 'usb1', then 'usb2', 'usb3', etc. failing that, try disk@2):
boot usb0/disk@1:2,\\yaboot
If nothing ever happens, plug into a different port and try again (you can bring up the last entered command with the up arrow key). And if you get any errors about bad nodes, just reflash and try again. Otherwise, the Yaboot prompt should come up.
sudo dd if=~/Downloads/<distribution image> of=/dev/sdx
(sdb if you have one HD, sdc if you have two HDs, sdc if three, etc.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After your USB is flashed, reboot and hold Cmd + Opt + O + F at the chime (or Caps Lock light). Once you're in Open Firmware, input the following command (if 'usb0' does not work, try 'usb1', then 'usb2', 'usb3', etc. failing that, try disk@2):
boot usb0/disk@1:2,\\yaboot
If nothing ever happens, plug into a different port and try again (you can bring up the last entered command with the up arrow key). And if you get any errors about bad nodes, just reflash and try again. Otherwise, the Yaboot prompt should come up.
Here's how to dual-boot between Linux and OS X on a single drive. For example, Ubuntu 16.04 alongside Mac OS X Leopard.
Note: You must already have an OS X installation. Linux comes last.
1. From Disk Utility, make a new, empty partition of at least 20 GB in size, formatted as Free Space. This will be your Linux system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. In the Linux installer partitioner, look for a block of free space above your HFS+ (OS X) partition, typically several hundred MB in size. Create a new 1 MB partition from that, to be used as 'NewWorld boot partition'.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Now, identify your empty partition created in Disk Utility. It should be one of the bottom partitions, formatted as Free Space with your specified capacity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Then, make a new partition 1 GB in size, set to be used as 'Ext2', mounting it at /boot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Now, make a new partition at least 10 GB in size, set to be used as 'Ext4 journaling', mounting it at /.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Afterward, create your swap partition with the remaining free space, set to be used as 'swap'. This should be 8.8 GB.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continue on with the installation. The Yaboot installer should automatically detect OS X and allow you to boot from it with the 'X' key at the Yaboot prompt. You will also be able to choose an OS while in the boot picker (hold Opt at chime / Caps Lock light).
Note: You must already have an OS X installation. Linux comes last.
1. From Disk Utility, make a new, empty partition of at least 20 GB in size, formatted as Free Space. This will be your Linux system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. In the Linux installer partitioner, look for a block of free space above your HFS+ (OS X) partition, typically several hundred MB in size. Create a new 1 MB partition from that, to be used as 'NewWorld boot partition'.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Now, identify your empty partition created in Disk Utility. It should be one of the bottom partitions, formatted as Free Space with your specified capacity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Then, make a new partition 1 GB in size, set to be used as 'Ext2', mounting it at /boot.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Now, make a new partition at least 10 GB in size, set to be used as 'Ext4 journaling', mounting it at /.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Afterward, create your swap partition with the remaining free space, set to be used as 'swap'. This should be 8.8 GB.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continue on with the installation. The Yaboot installer should automatically detect OS X and allow you to boot from it with the 'X' key at the Yaboot prompt. You will also be able to choose an OS while in the boot picker (hold Opt at chime / Caps Lock light).
Note: Install LightDM before adding any desktop environments with 'sudo apt-get install lightdm'.
Note 2: For the most premium desktop experience on Ubuntu, running 'sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop gnome-session-flashback', is recommended. Then after installing and rebooting, click the Ubuntu logo beside your user name in the LightDM login window, and select the 'GNOME Flashback (Metacity)' desktop environment.
LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install lxde
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Solid desktop environment that's easy on the resources. Unable to customize keyboard shortcuts. Used as a base for the Raspberry Pi PIXEL desktop environment.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Xfce (XForms Common Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install xfce4 xfce4-goodies
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Able to set keyboard shortcuts. Extremely moldable; appearance can be greatly altered to mimic other desktop environments and more. All around excellent, especially when given a custom coat of paint. Not often updated.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MATE (MATE Advanced Traditional Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install ubuntu-mate-desktop
Requirements: G4, 512mb RAM
Description: Supports customizable keyboard shortcuts. Not as alterable as Xfce, but comes close. Aims to be a 'traditional desktop metaphor'. Must add additional repositories in Debian 7 and Ubuntu 14.04 to install. N/A in Ubuntu 12.04.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
KDE (K Desktop Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install kde-plasma-desktop
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G4, 1gb RAM
Description: Features customizable keyboard shortcuts. Very alterable, right out of the gate. This is a polished, smooth desktop environment built on QT as opposed to GTK (which all of the above and below DE use). Works on Debian 10 with graphical bugs. Broken in Ubuntu 16.04, same error as Unity upon login (under LightDM Unity Greeter).
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
GNOME
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install gnome
Requirements: G5, 2gb RAM
Description: Extremely smooth, fluid desktop environment. Literally feels like navigating through water. Can customize keyboard shortcuts, although not as all-around alterable as above choices. Only works on Debian 7 & 10, albeit with pink hue to desktop and icons on 10. There may be a way to reinstate full functionality on other distributions.
Note 2: For the most premium desktop experience on Ubuntu, running 'sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop gnome-session-flashback', is recommended. Then after installing and rebooting, click the Ubuntu logo beside your user name in the LightDM login window, and select the 'GNOME Flashback (Metacity)' desktop environment.
LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install lxde
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Solid desktop environment that's easy on the resources. Unable to customize keyboard shortcuts. Used as a base for the Raspberry Pi PIXEL desktop environment.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Xfce (XForms Common Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install xfce4 xfce4-goodies
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Able to set keyboard shortcuts. Extremely moldable; appearance can be greatly altered to mimic other desktop environments and more. All around excellent, especially when given a custom coat of paint. Not often updated.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MATE (MATE Advanced Traditional Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install ubuntu-mate-desktop
Requirements: G4, 512mb RAM
Description: Supports customizable keyboard shortcuts. Not as alterable as Xfce, but comes close. Aims to be a 'traditional desktop metaphor'. Must add additional repositories in Debian 7 and Ubuntu 14.04 to install. N/A in Ubuntu 12.04.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
KDE (K Desktop Environment)
Debian: sudo apt-get install kde-plasma-desktop
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
Requirements: G4, 1gb RAM
Description: Features customizable keyboard shortcuts. Very alterable, right out of the gate. This is a polished, smooth desktop environment built on QT as opposed to GTK (which all of the above and below DE use). Works on Debian 10 with graphical bugs. Broken in Ubuntu 16.04, same error as Unity upon login (under LightDM Unity Greeter).
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
GNOME
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install gnome
Requirements: G5, 2gb RAM
Description: Extremely smooth, fluid desktop environment. Literally feels like navigating through water. Can customize keyboard shortcuts, although not as all-around alterable as above choices. Only works on Debian 7 & 10, albeit with pink hue to desktop and icons on 10. There may be a way to reinstate full functionality on other distributions.
i3
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install i3
Requirements: G3, 128mb RAM
Description: i3 is a highly configurable window manager that utilizes tiled instead of layered windows. Press Cmd / Opt + D to bring up the applications bar, and Cmd / Opt + Enter for a terminal window. You can also press Cmd / Opt + <number> to switch between desktops (you can also do this by scrolling your mouse wheel with the cursor hovering over the bottom status bar), Cmd / Opt + <arrow keys> to focus different windows, Cmd / Opt + Shift + <arrow keys> to move the position of a focused window, Cmd / Opt + Shift + <number> to move a focused window between desktops, and Cmd / Opt + Shift + Q to kill the focused window.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Openbox
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install openbox
Requirements: G3, 128mb RAM
Description: An exceedingly simplistic window manager primarily relying on the context menu for usage and navigation. Used as a base for the LXDE desktop environment. Don't forget to right-click.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
IceWM
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install icewm
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: A very nice window manager; comes with a theme to perfectly imitate Windows 95, among other legacy environments, like OS/2.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Window Maker
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install wmaker
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Fast and very stable, Window Maker is extremely reminiscent of the NeXTSTEP interface. In a nutshell, 90's workstations condensed into one environment.
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install i3
Requirements: G3, 128mb RAM
Description: i3 is a highly configurable window manager that utilizes tiled instead of layered windows. Press Cmd / Opt + D to bring up the applications bar, and Cmd / Opt + Enter for a terminal window. You can also press Cmd / Opt + <number> to switch between desktops (you can also do this by scrolling your mouse wheel with the cursor hovering over the bottom status bar), Cmd / Opt + <arrow keys> to focus different windows, Cmd / Opt + Shift + <arrow keys> to move the position of a focused window, Cmd / Opt + Shift + <number> to move a focused window between desktops, and Cmd / Opt + Shift + Q to kill the focused window.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Openbox
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install openbox
Requirements: G3, 128mb RAM
Description: An exceedingly simplistic window manager primarily relying on the context menu for usage and navigation. Used as a base for the LXDE desktop environment. Don't forget to right-click.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
IceWM
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install icewm
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: A very nice window manager; comes with a theme to perfectly imitate Windows 95, among other legacy environments, like OS/2.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Window Maker
Debian / Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install wmaker
Requirements: G3, 256mb RAM
Description: Fast and very stable, Window Maker is extremely reminiscent of the NeXTSTEP interface. In a nutshell, 90's workstations condensed into one environment.
Preload
Preload is a background daemon similar to OS X <10.4's 'prebinding', in that it, to simplify, loads applications before you launch them, and can make noticeable differences in launch times after being installed. Install with 'sudo apt-get install preload'.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Swappiness
Do you find your system often relying on swap space? By default, the system is set to fallback to swap when 60% of available RAM is free. Instead, we can change it so that it starts using swap when installed memory capacity is 5% free, making greater use of what's there. Open up a terminal (many desktop environments will set that to Ctrl + Alt + T by default) and type:
1. sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf
2. Scroll all the way down, and add:
vm.swappiness=5
vm.vfs_cache_pressure=50
2. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
3. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
APT Translations
The Advanced Package Tool, or APT, automatically downloads language translations every time you update your repositories, upgrade your system, or install a package. This can add to the time APT takes to finish a task. If you would like APT to only download your default system language every time it does this, you can change it so that it skips over foreign languages and focuses exclusively on the one you speak.
1. sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/00aptitude
2. Add a new line below the first, as:
Acquire::Languages "none";
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Write Caching (Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8+)
Write Caching (as the name implies), caches every write to disk in RAM so the system can refer to what's already cached in RAM instead of writing to a slower-to-respond disk. Unfortunately, this comes with a catch, as it is possible to lose data if what was presently cached in RAM is lost in a power failure. If you decide to enable write caching anyway, install GNOME Disks with 'sudo apt install gnome-disk-utility', if it was not already installed.
1. Open up GNOME 'Disks' from your applications menu, or 'gnome-disks' from a terminal.
2. On the left pane, click on your system hard drive if it was not already automatically selected.
3. Click on the hamburger menu at the top bar, on the right side, and select "Drive Settings...".
4. Click the "Write Cache" tab, and enable Write Cache from the selection box below.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Faster YouTube Performance (Required for Firefox 47 / 52.9)
We're going to revert to the classic UI by changing Firefox's (or any other Mozilla-based browser's) default user agent to that of Internet Explorer 11's, in turn reducing resources used in the process, freeing them up for video playback.
1. Type 'about:config' in the URL bar.
2. Add a new string, titled 'general.useragent.override'.
3. Copy / Paste the following text into its string value:
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko
4. Delete YouTube's cookies through the 'Privacy' section in Firefox's 'Preferences' pane, and don't forget to turn off annotations for best results.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Even Faster Web Performance
Alternatively, we can change Firefox's (or any other Mozilla-based browser's) user agent to make websites think we're on Android 4.4, freeing up even more resources, especially for YouTube.
1. Type 'about:config' in the URL bar.
2. Add a new string, titled 'general.useragent.override'.
3. Copy / Paste the following text into its string value:
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1
4. Delete all saved cookies through the 'Privacy' section in Firefox's 'Preferences' pane.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Fastest Web / YouTube Performance
Get Surf & SurfTube from the Software sector below. More info here:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/surftube-a-new-ultra-fast-youtube-browser-for-linux.2187988/)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Maximum Velocity Web / YouTube Performance
Install foxPEP, available @:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foxpep-a-faster-firefox.2209108/)
Preload is a background daemon similar to OS X <10.4's 'prebinding', in that it, to simplify, loads applications before you launch them, and can make noticeable differences in launch times after being installed. Install with 'sudo apt-get install preload'.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Swappiness
Do you find your system often relying on swap space? By default, the system is set to fallback to swap when 60% of available RAM is free. Instead, we can change it so that it starts using swap when installed memory capacity is 5% free, making greater use of what's there. Open up a terminal (many desktop environments will set that to Ctrl + Alt + T by default) and type:
1. sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf
2. Scroll all the way down, and add:
vm.swappiness=5
vm.vfs_cache_pressure=50
2. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
3. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
APT Translations
The Advanced Package Tool, or APT, automatically downloads language translations every time you update your repositories, upgrade your system, or install a package. This can add to the time APT takes to finish a task. If you would like APT to only download your default system language every time it does this, you can change it so that it skips over foreign languages and focuses exclusively on the one you speak.
1. sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/00aptitude
2. Add a new line below the first, as:
Acquire::Languages "none";
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Write Caching (Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8+)
Write Caching (as the name implies), caches every write to disk in RAM so the system can refer to what's already cached in RAM instead of writing to a slower-to-respond disk. Unfortunately, this comes with a catch, as it is possible to lose data if what was presently cached in RAM is lost in a power failure. If you decide to enable write caching anyway, install GNOME Disks with 'sudo apt install gnome-disk-utility', if it was not already installed.
1. Open up GNOME 'Disks' from your applications menu, or 'gnome-disks' from a terminal.
2. On the left pane, click on your system hard drive if it was not already automatically selected.
3. Click on the hamburger menu at the top bar, on the right side, and select "Drive Settings...".
4. Click the "Write Cache" tab, and enable Write Cache from the selection box below.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Faster YouTube Performance (Required for Firefox 47 / 52.9)
We're going to revert to the classic UI by changing Firefox's (or any other Mozilla-based browser's) default user agent to that of Internet Explorer 11's, in turn reducing resources used in the process, freeing them up for video playback.
1. Type 'about:config' in the URL bar.
2. Add a new string, titled 'general.useragent.override'.
3. Copy / Paste the following text into its string value:
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.1; Trident/7.0; rv:11.0) like Gecko
4. Delete YouTube's cookies through the 'Privacy' section in Firefox's 'Preferences' pane, and don't forget to turn off annotations for best results.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Even Faster Web Performance
Alternatively, we can change Firefox's (or any other Mozilla-based browser's) user agent to make websites think we're on Android 4.4, freeing up even more resources, especially for YouTube.
1. Type 'about:config' in the URL bar.
2. Add a new string, titled 'general.useragent.override'.
3. Copy / Paste the following text into its string value:
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1
4. Delete all saved cookies through the 'Privacy' section in Firefox's 'Preferences' pane.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Fastest Web / YouTube Performance
Get Surf & SurfTube from the Software sector below. More info here:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/surftube-a-new-ultra-fast-youtube-browser-for-linux.2187988/)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Maximum Velocity Web / YouTube Performance
Install foxPEP, available @:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foxpep-a-faster-firefox.2209108/)
Ubuntu 14.04
Live Ubuntu 14.04 images, such as Lubuntu, will not display properly when installed onto the system as-is, and as a result, you will not get any discernible picture if you install via that route. However, Ubuntu Server 14.04 will display everything with no issue if installed onto the system, and later given a desktop environment of your preference. Ubuntu Server 14.04.6 (March 2019) is already embedded in the above download link, therefore use the image available here for guaranteed functionality.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ubuntu 16.04
Some Late 2005 Power Mac G5s, due to a problem with the system mounting critical partitions, will not boot Ubuntu 16.04 if installed with the Live Lubuntu and Ubuntu MATE images. However, this problem doesn't seem to exist on the Ubuntu Server 16.04 image linked above, therefore it is highly recommended to use that instead.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Debian 8
The Debian 8 nouveau drivers do not work correctly with G5 machines. If you attempt to install a desktop environment while in the installer, you will be met with a garbled screen, and constant nouveau errors. More info here: (http://powerpcliberation.blogspot.com/2015/10/g5-and-g4-nouveau-modesetting-bug-and.html)
As a fallback, you may apply this fix for PowerPC G5 machines only. Download the 'linux-image-4.10.8-powerpc64_1_powerpc.deb' on another computer: (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8pqd5Ots1vfZXh6dzdXSnBSWmc), and transfer it to a USB drive.
In the Debian 8 system you installed without a desktop environment, plug your USB drive in, and input 'sudo mount /dev/sdx1 /mnt' ('sdb1' if you have one HD, 'sdc1' if you have two HDs), and then 'cd /mnt'. Once you're in the same directory as the linux-image.deb on your USB drive, run 'sudo dpkg -i *.deb'. And once it's in, do 'sudo nano /etc/yaboot.conf', and make sure these configurations are replicated in your copy:
image=/boot/vmlinux-4.10.8-powerpc64
label=Linux
read-only
initrd=/boot/initrd.img-4.10.8-powerpc64
Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return, and then enter 'sudo ybin'. Then, reboot. You should now be free to install a desktop environment + LightDM without crashing.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Sound
No sound? No problem. This should take care of that.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
snd-aoa
snd-aoa-fabric-layout
snd-aoa-soundbus
snd-aoa-i2sbus
snd-usb-audio
3. sudo reboot
Afterward, run 'sudo apt-get install alsamixergui'. Then, enter 'alsamixergui' from a terminal. A graphical audio mixer should then come up displaying your Mac's sound chip and its currently rated audio settings. Make sure all the displayed channel collumns are unmuted by verifying the speaker signs above each collumn is colored green with curved vertical lines coming out each side, and not white with no lines. If so, then just click the speaker signs to unmute them to green. Adjust the volume of each channel by selecting its label below its collumns, then use the up / down arrow keys to adjust volume.
Note: You may experience crackling and degraded audio quality if you set PCM too high. Experiment with the PCM column levels while audio is playing to find a happy medium between depth and fidelity.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Brightness/Display Blacks
If you have a PowerBook G4 with an Ambient Light Sensor, you may experience the display going black at boot-time. This workaround should help: Working around the brightness issue with Linux on PBG4s with ALS
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Suboptimal Tracking
Do you have an Early 2005 PowerBook or newer? Do you notice the trackpad responsiveness to be spotty at best? Let's try to fix that.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
appletouch
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
If this does not work or the results are unsatisfactory, either remove the module, or revert to the instructions here: (http://ppcluddite.blogspot.com/2013/06/getting-usable-trackpad-on-aluminum.html)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Problematic Fans
Are your adoring fans always roaring? Intermittent? Shut them up with:
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
windfarm-core
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Battery Indicators
Running on a portable? You may notice that the OS' battery indicators don't work. That is, until now.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
pmu-battery
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Keyboard Lights
Is your PowerBook's keyboard not lighting up like it used to? Allow me to illuminate the solution.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
i2c-dev
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Wi-Fi
So how about that missing Wi-Fi? Put it back with:
wget http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...fwcutter/firmware-b43-installer_019-3_all.deb && wget http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_019-3_powerpc.deb && sudo dpkg -i *.deb && sudo rm *.deb
Reboot.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No YouTube Playback
Part of the whole reason of installing Linux was to get better Web compatibility, so why isn't YouTube playing anything? - Sometimes, this is a simple fix caused by a lack of media codecs. Get the required codecs by running 'sudo apt-get install vlc ffmpeg'.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Issues With Right Click
Are you having trouble with right clicking an item? Many distributions will perform a right click at the cursor's location when the F12 key is struck.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Login Problems
Having issues logging into a desktop environment? LightDM could be to blame, so let's get another display manager. Run:
sudo apt-get install xdm
It will start processing, then explain to you what a display manager is and which one you want to use. Select XDM when you are given the choice.
Afterward, reboot. XDM will automatically log you in to the default system desktop environment.
If this does not solve the problem and you wish to revert back to LightDM, do sudo apt-get autoremove xdm. Then, restart.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Can't File Manage Over Network
Getting errors every time you try to access your home file or media server? This is due to the absence of the component that handles these functions. Let's add it in with 'sudo apt install gvfs-backends gvfs-fuse'. Now, restart your file manager and see what's different.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Radeon Problems
The iBook G3s, Mac Minis, '03 eMacs, and Late '03 / Early '04 iBook G4s will display flashing screens, crashes, and instability in Debian 8+ and Ubuntu 14.04+ due to a problem with their Radeon 7500 / 9200 graphics cards. A solution has recently been discovered and can be found at:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/making-g3s-and-radeon-graphics-great-again.2191877/)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Slow Window Management
Do you have Radeon graphics? Are moving windows around the screen among other actions very slow? Download and install the below firmware like any other package:
(http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...free/firmware-amd-graphics_20190114-1_all.deb)
Restart.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Currently Unresolvable Issues
Suspend -
Aside from Debian 7 and Ubuntu 12.04 on certain G4 machines, suspend (sleep mode) does not work, but it may be possible to reinstate this functionality on other setups with newer versions. - Update: New solution detailed at (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-powerpc-linux-wiki.2178457/page-4#post-27513481).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tracking -
Early 2005 PowerBooks and newer will experience cursor jitter if you lightly rest your finger on the trackpad. This quirk has not yet been resolved, so it is currently recommended to just use a USB mouse whenever possible. Otherwise, track using your fingerpad for best results (one finger / hand on button, other on touchpad).
Live Ubuntu 14.04 images, such as Lubuntu, will not display properly when installed onto the system as-is, and as a result, you will not get any discernible picture if you install via that route. However, Ubuntu Server 14.04 will display everything with no issue if installed onto the system, and later given a desktop environment of your preference. Ubuntu Server 14.04.6 (March 2019) is already embedded in the above download link, therefore use the image available here for guaranteed functionality.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ubuntu 16.04
Some Late 2005 Power Mac G5s, due to a problem with the system mounting critical partitions, will not boot Ubuntu 16.04 if installed with the Live Lubuntu and Ubuntu MATE images. However, this problem doesn't seem to exist on the Ubuntu Server 16.04 image linked above, therefore it is highly recommended to use that instead.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Debian 8
The Debian 8 nouveau drivers do not work correctly with G5 machines. If you attempt to install a desktop environment while in the installer, you will be met with a garbled screen, and constant nouveau errors. More info here: (http://powerpcliberation.blogspot.com/2015/10/g5-and-g4-nouveau-modesetting-bug-and.html)
As a fallback, you may apply this fix for PowerPC G5 machines only. Download the 'linux-image-4.10.8-powerpc64_1_powerpc.deb' on another computer: (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8pqd5Ots1vfZXh6dzdXSnBSWmc), and transfer it to a USB drive.
In the Debian 8 system you installed without a desktop environment, plug your USB drive in, and input 'sudo mount /dev/sdx1 /mnt' ('sdb1' if you have one HD, 'sdc1' if you have two HDs), and then 'cd /mnt'. Once you're in the same directory as the linux-image.deb on your USB drive, run 'sudo dpkg -i *.deb'. And once it's in, do 'sudo nano /etc/yaboot.conf', and make sure these configurations are replicated in your copy:
image=/boot/vmlinux-4.10.8-powerpc64
label=Linux
read-only
initrd=/boot/initrd.img-4.10.8-powerpc64
Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return, and then enter 'sudo ybin'. Then, reboot. You should now be free to install a desktop environment + LightDM without crashing.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Sound
No sound? No problem. This should take care of that.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
snd-aoa
snd-aoa-fabric-layout
snd-aoa-soundbus
snd-aoa-i2sbus
snd-usb-audio
3. sudo reboot
Afterward, run 'sudo apt-get install alsamixergui'. Then, enter 'alsamixergui' from a terminal. A graphical audio mixer should then come up displaying your Mac's sound chip and its currently rated audio settings. Make sure all the displayed channel collumns are unmuted by verifying the speaker signs above each collumn is colored green with curved vertical lines coming out each side, and not white with no lines. If so, then just click the speaker signs to unmute them to green. Adjust the volume of each channel by selecting its label below its collumns, then use the up / down arrow keys to adjust volume.
Note: You may experience crackling and degraded audio quality if you set PCM too high. Experiment with the PCM column levels while audio is playing to find a happy medium between depth and fidelity.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Brightness/Display Blacks
If you have a PowerBook G4 with an Ambient Light Sensor, you may experience the display going black at boot-time. This workaround should help: Working around the brightness issue with Linux on PBG4s with ALS
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Suboptimal Tracking
Do you have an Early 2005 PowerBook or newer? Do you notice the trackpad responsiveness to be spotty at best? Let's try to fix that.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
appletouch
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
If this does not work or the results are unsatisfactory, either remove the module, or revert to the instructions here: (http://ppcluddite.blogspot.com/2013/06/getting-usable-trackpad-on-aluminum.html)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Problematic Fans
Are your adoring fans always roaring? Intermittent? Shut them up with:
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
windfarm-core
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Battery Indicators
Running on a portable? You may notice that the OS' battery indicators don't work. That is, until now.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
pmu-battery
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Keyboard Lights
Is your PowerBook's keyboard not lighting up like it used to? Allow me to illuminate the solution.
1. sudo nano /etc/modules
2. Add:
i2c-dev
3. Ctrl + X ---> Y ---> Return
4. sudo reboot
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No Wi-Fi
So how about that missing Wi-Fi? Put it back with:
wget http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...fwcutter/firmware-b43-installer_019-3_all.deb && wget http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...b/b43-fwcutter/b43-fwcutter_019-3_powerpc.deb && sudo dpkg -i *.deb && sudo rm *.deb
Reboot.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
No YouTube Playback
Part of the whole reason of installing Linux was to get better Web compatibility, so why isn't YouTube playing anything? - Sometimes, this is a simple fix caused by a lack of media codecs. Get the required codecs by running 'sudo apt-get install vlc ffmpeg'.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Issues With Right Click
Are you having trouble with right clicking an item? Many distributions will perform a right click at the cursor's location when the F12 key is struck.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Login Problems
Having issues logging into a desktop environment? LightDM could be to blame, so let's get another display manager. Run:
sudo apt-get install xdm
It will start processing, then explain to you what a display manager is and which one you want to use. Select XDM when you are given the choice.
Afterward, reboot. XDM will automatically log you in to the default system desktop environment.
If this does not solve the problem and you wish to revert back to LightDM, do sudo apt-get autoremove xdm. Then, restart.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Can't File Manage Over Network
Getting errors every time you try to access your home file or media server? This is due to the absence of the component that handles these functions. Let's add it in with 'sudo apt install gvfs-backends gvfs-fuse'. Now, restart your file manager and see what's different.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Radeon Problems
The iBook G3s, Mac Minis, '03 eMacs, and Late '03 / Early '04 iBook G4s will display flashing screens, crashes, and instability in Debian 8+ and Ubuntu 14.04+ due to a problem with their Radeon 7500 / 9200 graphics cards. A solution has recently been discovered and can be found at:
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/making-g3s-and-radeon-graphics-great-again.2191877/)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Slow Window Management
Do you have Radeon graphics? Are moving windows around the screen among other actions very slow? Download and install the below firmware like any other package:
(http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...free/firmware-amd-graphics_20190114-1_all.deb)
Restart.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Currently Unresolvable Issues
Suspend -
Aside from Debian 7 and Ubuntu 12.04 on certain G4 machines, suspend (sleep mode) does not work, but it may be possible to reinstate this functionality on other setups with newer versions. - Update: New solution detailed at (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-powerpc-linux-wiki.2178457/page-4#post-27513481).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tracking -
Early 2005 PowerBooks and newer will experience cursor jitter if you lightly rest your finger on the trackpad. This quirk has not yet been resolved, so it is currently recommended to just use a USB mouse whenever possible. Otherwise, track using your fingerpad for best results (one finger / hand on button, other on touchpad).
Screen Brightness
Is your screen too bright? Adjust it to your liking with xrandr.
1. xrandr --current
2. Notice the display name listed directly under "Screen 0:". (ex. DVI-I-1, LVDS, etc.)
3. xrandr --output <display name> --brightness .6 (choices include '0.2' through '1.0')
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
12-Hour Time
LXDE / Xfce ship with a 24-hour panel clock by default. Here's how to change it to 12-hour.
Right-click the clock, select 'Digital Clock Settings', and manually change the clock format to '%I:%M %p.' You can also add '%a' to get the day, and '%b' to get the month.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Media Hotkeys
It's can be disrupting to always have to go back to your media player window to manually pause or skip whenever playing music. If you're on Debian 10+, Problem can rendezvous with Solution.
1. sudo apt install playerctl
A. playerctl play-pause (Play/Pause)
B. playerctl previous (Previous)
C. playerctl next (Next)
Now, you can go to 'Keyboard Shortcuts' under your Preferences menu / application, and set these commands to activate when a desired key is pressed. Leave out the parentheses.
Is your screen too bright? Adjust it to your liking with xrandr.
1. xrandr --current
2. Notice the display name listed directly under "Screen 0:". (ex. DVI-I-1, LVDS, etc.)
3. xrandr --output <display name> --brightness .6 (choices include '0.2' through '1.0')
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
12-Hour Time
LXDE / Xfce ship with a 24-hour panel clock by default. Here's how to change it to 12-hour.
Right-click the clock, select 'Digital Clock Settings', and manually change the clock format to '%I:%M %p.' You can also add '%a' to get the day, and '%b' to get the month.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Media Hotkeys
It's can be disrupting to always have to go back to your media player window to manually pause or skip whenever playing music. If you're on Debian 10+, Problem can rendezvous with Solution.
1. sudo apt install playerctl
A. playerctl play-pause (Play/Pause)
B. playerctl previous (Previous)
C. playerctl next (Next)
Now, you can go to 'Keyboard Shortcuts' under your Preferences menu / application, and set these commands to activate when a desired key is pressed. Leave out the parentheses.
elementary OS Icons
elementary-icon-theme is only available on Ubuntu. Here's how to get it on Debian so you too can look like you're running elementary OS on PowerPC! Copy / Paste below text to terminal:
sudo apt-get install gnome-icon-theme && wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po.../elementary-icon-theme_2.7.1-0ubuntu7_all.deb && sudo dpkg -i elementary*.deb && sudo rm -f *.deb
After it's finished installing, you can open your DE's icon theme selector to choose your new option.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
La Capitaine Icons
Do you require something more Mac-like than elementary-icon-theme, for Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 10+? Look no further than La Capitane. Here's how to get it:
sudo wget https://codeload.github.com/keeferrourke/la-capitaine-icon-theme/zip/master && cd && sudo mkdir .icons && sudo unzip "master" && sudo mv la-capitaine-icon-theme-master .icons && sudo rm -rf "master" && cd .icons/la-capitaine-icon-theme-master/ && sudo ./configure
Once the Terminal stops processing, you can go into the Appearance preferences and select the La Capitaine icon theme to take effect.
If you're on Xfce, download the below package to use a macOS title bar lookalike to complete the look, found under Window Manager settings as Agualemon.
(http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/x/xfwm4-themes/xfwm4-themes_4.10.0-2_all.deb)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Materia UI Theme
Are you running Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 10+? Would you like a well polished matte theme that comes with system-wide light and dark modes? Ask your doctor if Materia is right for you with:
sudo apt install materia-gtk-theme
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ubuntu Wallpapers (Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8+)
Make your Ubuntu (or Debian) look like new with these wallpapers.
Ubuntu 18.04 -
(http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po...tu-wallpapers-bionic_18.04.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ubuntu 20.04 -
(http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po...rs/ubuntu-wallpapers_20.04.2-0ubuntu1_all.deb)
elementary-icon-theme is only available on Ubuntu. Here's how to get it on Debian so you too can look like you're running elementary OS on PowerPC! Copy / Paste below text to terminal:
sudo apt-get install gnome-icon-theme && wget http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po.../elementary-icon-theme_2.7.1-0ubuntu7_all.deb && sudo dpkg -i elementary*.deb && sudo rm -f *.deb
After it's finished installing, you can open your DE's icon theme selector to choose your new option.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
La Capitaine Icons
Do you require something more Mac-like than elementary-icon-theme, for Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 10+? Look no further than La Capitane. Here's how to get it:
sudo wget https://codeload.github.com/keeferrourke/la-capitaine-icon-theme/zip/master && cd && sudo mkdir .icons && sudo unzip "master" && sudo mv la-capitaine-icon-theme-master .icons && sudo rm -rf "master" && cd .icons/la-capitaine-icon-theme-master/ && sudo ./configure
Once the Terminal stops processing, you can go into the Appearance preferences and select the La Capitaine icon theme to take effect.
If you're on Xfce, download the below package to use a macOS title bar lookalike to complete the look, found under Window Manager settings as Agualemon.
(http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/x/xfwm4-themes/xfwm4-themes_4.10.0-2_all.deb)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Materia UI Theme
Are you running Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 10+? Would you like a well polished matte theme that comes with system-wide light and dark modes? Ask your doctor if Materia is right for you with:
sudo apt install materia-gtk-theme
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ubuntu Wallpapers (Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8+)
Make your Ubuntu (or Debian) look like new with these wallpapers.
Ubuntu 18.04 -
(http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po...tu-wallpapers-bionic_18.04.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ubuntu 20.04 -
(http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/po...rs/ubuntu-wallpapers_20.04.2-0ubuntu1_all.deb)
Note: Install standalone .deb packages by opening a terminal in their current directory, then running 'sudo dpkg -i *.deb'. Remove them with 'sudo apt-get autoremove <package name>'.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Web Browsers
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Surf - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://surf.suckless.org/)
Install Surf: [Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8]
Note: If on Debian 8, remove "gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers" and "-f -a @ -B -S -D" from strings.
Note 2: Surf does not work on Debian 10+.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers adwaita-icon-theme surf ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-libav && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=Web Browser
Name=Surf
Comment=Simple WebKit Browser
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p -f -a @ -B -S -D -u 'Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1' https://duckduckgo.com/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Adwaita/48x48/emblems/emblem-web.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) - (Ctrl + G: Open URL Bar) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Install Surf: [Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7]
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt-get install gnome-icon-theme surf && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=Web Browser
Name=Surf
Comment=Simple WebKit Browser
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p https://duckduckgo.com/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/emblems/emblem-web.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) - (Ctrl + G: Open URL Bar) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Surf:
sudo apt-get autoremove surf && sudo rm -f /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Firefox ESR 45.9 (April 2017) - Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8
Install Firefox ESR 45.9:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian/20170531T212258Z/pool/main/f/firefox-esr/firefox-esr_45.9.0esr-1~deb8u1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...n/libstartup-notification0_0.12-4_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...nt/libevent-2.0-5_2.0.21-stable-3_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Firefox ESR 45.9:
sudo apt-get autoremove firefox-esr
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Firefox ESR 52.9 (July 2018) - Debian 10
Install Firefox ESR 52.9:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
Note 2: Beforehand, run 'sudo apt autoremove chrome-gnome-shell' if on GNOME.
1. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...refox-esr/firefox-esr_52.9.0esr-1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...unspell/libhunspell-1.6-0_1.6.2-1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb && sudo rm *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Firefox ESR 52.9:
sudo apt autoremove firefox-esr
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Arctic Fox 27.11.0 (June 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/Arctic-Fox/wiki/Downloads)
Install Arctic Fox:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Arctic Fox:
sudo apt-get autoremove arcticfox
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SpiderWeb 2.2.3 (December 2020) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SpiderWeb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SpiderWeb:
sudo apt-get autoremove spiderweb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
InterWeb 2021.07.26 (July 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install InterWeb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove InterWeb:
sudo apt-get autoremove interweb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Faded Orb 28.2021.02 (February 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install Faded Orb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Faded Orb:
sudo apt-get autoremove fadedorb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SeaMonkey 2.49 (February 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SeaMonkey:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SeaMonkey:
sudo apt-get autoremove seamonkey
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Email Clients
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SpiderMail 2.2.1 (February 2020) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SpiderMail:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SpiderMail:
sudo apt-get autoremove spidermail
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
YouTube Clients
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SurfTube - Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/surftube-a-new-ultra-fast-youtube-browser-for-linux.2187988/)
Install SurfTube: [Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8]
Note: If on Debian 8, remove "gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers" and "-f -a @ -B -S -D" from below strings.
Note 2: SurfTube does not work on Debian 10+.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt install surf ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers gstreamer1.0-libav adwaita-icon-theme && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=YouTube Player
Name=SurfTube
Comment=Lightweight YouTube Player
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p -f -a @ -B -S -D -u 'Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1' https://invidio.us/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=AudioVideo;Player;Video;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Adwaita/48x48/actions/media-playback-start.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Install SurfTube: [Ubuntu 14.04]
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt-get install surf gnome-icon-theme && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=YouTube Player
Name=SurfTube
Comment=Lightweight YouTube Player
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p https://invidio.us/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=AudioVideo;Player;Video;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/devices/audio-headphones.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SurfTube:
sudo rm -f /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
64-bit Software
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Optimized Applications for PPC64 (Debian 10+)
If you're on a ppc64 install, add the PowerProgress repository to get optimized applications and Debian-specific 64-bit browsers, like Arctic Fox and Pale Moon. Copy / Paste the below string to a terminal window:
1.
sudo -s wget -O - https://repo.powerprogress.org/debian/conf/public.gpg.key | sudo -s apt-key add
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. sudo apt edit-sources
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Add:
deb [arch=ppc64] https://repo.powerprogress.org/debian/ sid main
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. sudo apt update
The below link contains a list of installable applications.
(https://repo.powerprogress.org/)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Web Browsers
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Surf - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://surf.suckless.org/)
Install Surf: [Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8]
Note: If on Debian 8, remove "gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers" and "-f -a @ -B -S -D" from strings.
Note 2: Surf does not work on Debian 10+.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt install gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers adwaita-icon-theme surf ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-libav && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=Web Browser
Name=Surf
Comment=Simple WebKit Browser
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p -f -a @ -B -S -D -u 'Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1' https://duckduckgo.com/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Adwaita/48x48/emblems/emblem-web.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) - (Ctrl + G: Open URL Bar) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Install Surf: [Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7]
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt-get install gnome-icon-theme surf && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=Web Browser
Name=Surf
Comment=Simple WebKit Browser
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p https://duckduckgo.com/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/emblems/emblem-web.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) - (Ctrl + G: Open URL Bar) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Surf:
sudo apt-get autoremove surf && sudo rm -f /usr/share/applications/surf.desktop
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Firefox ESR 45.9 (April 2017) - Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8
Install Firefox ESR 45.9:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/debian/20170531T212258Z/pool/main/f/firefox-esr/firefox-esr_45.9.0esr-1~deb8u1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...n/libstartup-notification0_0.12-4_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...nt/libevent-2.0-5_2.0.21-stable-3_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Firefox ESR 45.9:
sudo apt-get autoremove firefox-esr
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Firefox ESR 52.9 (July 2018) - Debian 10
Install Firefox ESR 52.9:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
Note 2: Beforehand, run 'sudo apt autoremove chrome-gnome-shell' if on GNOME.
1. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...refox-esr/firefox-esr_52.9.0esr-1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. http://snapshot.debian.org/archive/...unspell/libhunspell-1.6-0_1.6.2-1_powerpc.deb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb && sudo rm *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Firefox ESR 52.9:
sudo apt autoremove firefox-esr
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Arctic Fox 27.11.0 (June 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/Arctic-Fox/wiki/Downloads)
Install Arctic Fox:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Arctic Fox:
sudo apt-get autoremove arcticfox
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SpiderWeb 2.2.3 (December 2020) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SpiderWeb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SpiderWeb:
sudo apt-get autoremove spiderweb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
InterWeb 2021.07.26 (July 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install InterWeb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove InterWeb:
sudo apt-get autoremove interweb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Faded Orb 28.2021.02 (February 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install Faded Orb:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove Faded Orb:
sudo apt-get autoremove fadedorb
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SeaMonkey 2.49 (February 2021) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SeaMonkey:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SeaMonkey:
sudo apt-get autoremove seamonkey
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Email Clients
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SpiderMail 2.2.1 (February 2020) - Ubuntu 12.04+ / Debian 7+
(https://github.com/wicknix/SpiderWeb/wiki/Download)
Install SpiderMail:
Note: Save all downloaded packages to the Downloads folder in your home directory.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i *.deb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SpiderMail:
sudo apt-get autoremove spidermail
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
YouTube Clients
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SurfTube - Ubuntu 14.04+ / Debian 8
(https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/surftube-a-new-ultra-fast-youtube-browser-for-linux.2187988/)
Install SurfTube: [Ubuntu 16.04 / Debian 8]
Note: If on Debian 8, remove "gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers" and "-f -a @ -B -S -D" from below strings.
Note 2: SurfTube does not work on Debian 10+.
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt install surf ffmpeg gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad-videoparsers gstreamer1.0-libav adwaita-icon-theme && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=YouTube Player
Name=SurfTube
Comment=Lightweight YouTube Player
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p -f -a @ -B -S -D -u 'Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1' https://invidio.us/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=AudioVideo;Player;Video;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/Adwaita/48x48/actions/media-playback-start.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Install SurfTube: [Ubuntu 14.04]
1. Copy / Paste into terminal:
sudo apt-get install surf gnome-icon-theme && sudo nano /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Copy / Paste into window:
[Desktop Entry]
GenericName=YouTube Player
Name=SurfTube
Comment=Lightweight YouTube Player
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;
Exec=surf -p https://invidio.us/
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=AudioVideo;Player;Video;
Icon=/usr/share/icons/gnome/48x48/devices/audio-headphones.png
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Save, and close window.
Controls: (Ctrl + H: Back) - (Ctrl + L: Forward) - (Ctrl + R: Reload) / (Right-Click: Back, Forward, Reload)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remove SurfTube:
sudo rm -f /usr/share/applications/surftube.desktop
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
64-bit Software
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Optimized Applications for PPC64 (Debian 10+)
If you're on a ppc64 install, add the PowerProgress repository to get optimized applications and Debian-specific 64-bit browsers, like Arctic Fox and Pale Moon. Copy / Paste the below string to a terminal window:
1.
sudo -s wget -O - https://repo.powerprogress.org/debian/conf/public.gpg.key | sudo -s apt-key add
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. sudo apt edit-sources
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Add:
deb [arch=ppc64] https://repo.powerprogress.org/debian/ sid main
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. sudo apt update
The below link contains a list of installable applications.
(https://repo.powerprogress.org/)
Void Linux | The Void Linux Wiki
Void Linux is a faster and more standards-correct OS than Debian. It does not use systemd, and has been described to behave like a hybrid of both Linux and BSD.
-
OpenBSD | The OpenBSD Wiki
OpenBSD is a lighter and simpler OS than Debian. It is generally even regarded as the most secure operating system in the world.
Void Linux is a faster and more standards-correct OS than Debian. It does not use systemd, and has been described to behave like a hybrid of both Linux and BSD.
-
OpenBSD | The OpenBSD Wiki
OpenBSD is a lighter and simpler OS than Debian. It is generally even regarded as the most secure operating system in the world.
This is a public Wiki -
Please contribute if you know something about Linux that can make people's lives easier.
Thank you.
Last edited:
